Slop in steering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Estanley · 04-12-2002, 07:12 AM

My brother-inlaw just bought a 71 lwb. He said is drives pretty good except for excessive play in the steering wheel. Can this be adjusted at the manual steering box and how much play can we take out?

texnician01 · 04-12-2002, 07:51 AM

you should be able to turn the wheel to one stop and then adjust it, turn it to the other stop and adjust it and see what happens in the middle. you can also turn the big nut on the bottom to adjust too. Don't quote me on these cause I can't remember for sure anymore. It may be like mine was and have the gears inside rust pitted so bad that it won't ever get better. I have a seal and bushing kit for a manual that I will never need if you are looking to get one. I dunno $20 or something? let me know. good luck.

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1969 C-10 292 I-6 4 spd in the middle of a restoration. going to get a 327 and 3.07 gears but keeping all of the original parts so I can put it back to original later on down the road.
55 chevy 4 door 150
47 Willys CJ-2A

LAP · 04-12-2002, 08:13 AM

Check your suspension components. I have the "Final Four" in my steering wheel and I replaced both tie-rod ends and now I can keep it on the road.

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71 C20 Cheyenne
71 K10 SWB Cheyenne
72 C10 Cheyenne

Estanley · 04-12-2002, 10:29 AM

He says the truck doesn't wonder or feel loose. It just has too much play.

71GMC_3/4T · 04-12-2002, 12:06 PM

Check your drag link where it attaches to the steering arm. Not sure on these trucks, but I had a Monte Carlo where the drag link needed replaced. Unfortunately, the part that was wore out was permanently attached to the drag link. It would wander enough to almost scare the crap out of you.

PanelDeland · 04-12-2002, 03:48 PM

There is a 5/8 nut with a allen head bolt thru it on top of the box.You may be able to tighten it a bit there but don't go beyond even with the top of the nut.If that doesn't take enough play out replace the box.BTW go a 1/2 turn or so at a time and turn lock to lock between adjustments.

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Deland does Chevys 68Chevy panel(LIZ)
"A man and his truck,it's a beautiful thing"
"I have the body of a god,unfortunately it's Budda"

71GMC_3/4T · 04-12-2002, 04:59 PM

How's the rag joint?

texnician01 · 04-12-2002, 05:08 PM

The pitman arm bushing tends to wear out in those boxes also so check that too. like I said I have a rebuild kit bushings and all, for that if you want.

------------------
1969 C-10 292 I-6 4 spd in the middle of a restoration. going to get a 327 and 3.07 gears but keeping all of the original parts so I can put it back to original later on down the road.
55 chevy 4 door 150
47 Willys CJ-2A

[This message has been edited by texnician01 (edited April 12, 2002).]

*racedvl* · 04-12-2002, 08:49 PM

You can take out play with that adjuster on top of the steering box. BUT do not over adjust it!! You can ruin the box. Take out enough play to make a nice diffrence. Don't try to make it perfect, you could mess it all up.

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http://hometown.aol.com/racedvl/racedvl69index.html

Woodstock,IL.northwest of Chicago

It's not what you buy, it's what you build!!

I did not climb to the top of the food chain, to become a vegetarian.

For some pics of my truck.

04-12-2002, 07:12 AM	#1
Estanley Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Eatonton, GA, USA Posts: 191	Slop in steering My brother-inlaw just bought a 71 lwb. He said is drives pretty good except for excessive play in the steering wheel. Can this be adjusted at the manual steering box and how much play can we take out?

04-12-2002, 07:51 AM	#2
texnician01 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 12 Miles South of Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 359	you should be able to turn the wheel to one stop and then adjust it, turn it to the other stop and adjust it and see what happens in the middle. you can also turn the big nut on the bottom to adjust too. Don't quote me on these cause I can't remember for sure anymore. It may be like mine was and have the gears inside rust pitted so bad that it won't ever get better. I have a seal and bushing kit for a manual that I will never need if you are looking to get one. I dunno $20 or something? let me know. good luck. ------------------ 1969 C-10 292 I-6 4 spd in the middle of a restoration. going to get a 327 and 3.07 gears but keeping all of the original parts so I can put it back to original later on down the road. 55 chevy 4 door 150 47 Willys CJ-2A __________________ 69 C-10, 340HP 327 55 chevy 4 door 150 47 Willys CJ-2A 05 Harley Night Train 06 1200 Sportster (Wife's bike) 70 Honda CL350 OIF2 & OIF7 Veteran Nathan & Tiffany

04-12-2002, 08:13 AM	#3
LAP Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Slaughter, La Posts: 153	Check your suspension components. I have the "Final Four" in my steering wheel and I replaced both tie-rod ends and now I can keep it on the road. ------------------ 71 C20 Cheyenne 71 K10 SWB Cheyenne 72 C10 Cheyenne __________________ 68 50th Longhorn Custom Camper 396 A/C 25 options 71 C20 Cheyenne 71 K10 SWB Cheyenne 72 C10 Cheyenne ----------------------- Slaughter, La

04-12-2002, 12:06 PM	#5
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	Check your drag link where it attaches to the steering arm. Not sure on these trucks, but I had a Monte Carlo where the drag link needed replaced. Unfortunately, the part that was wore out was permanently attached to the drag link. It would wander enough to almost scare the crap out of you. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

04-12-2002, 03:48 PM	#6
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	There is a 5/8 nut with a allen head bolt thru it on top of the box.You may be able to tighten it a bit there but don't go beyond even with the top of the nut.If that doesn't take enough play out replace the box.BTW go a 1/2 turn or so at a time and turn lock to lock between adjustments. ------------------ Deland does Chevys 68Chevy panel(LIZ) "A man and his truck,it's a beautiful thing" "I have the body of a god,unfortunately it's Budda" __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

04-12-2002, 10:29 AM	#4
Estanley Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Eatonton, GA, USA Posts: 191	He says the truck doesn't wonder or feel loose. It just has too much play.

04-12-2002, 04:59 PM	#7
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	How's the rag joint? __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

04-12-2002, 05:08 PM	#8
texnician01 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 12 Miles South of Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 359	The pitman arm bushing tends to wear out in those boxes also so check that too. like I said I have a rebuild kit bushings and all, for that if you want. ------------------ 1969 C-10 292 I-6 4 spd in the middle of a restoration. going to get a 327 and 3.07 gears but keeping all of the original parts so I can put it back to original later on down the road. 55 chevy 4 door 150 47 Willys CJ-2A [This message has been edited by texnician01 (edited April 12, 2002).] __________________ 69 C-10, 340HP 327 55 chevy 4 door 150 47 Willys CJ-2A 05 Harley Night Train 06 1200 Sportster (Wife's bike) 70 Honda CL350 OIF2 & OIF7 Veteran Nathan & Tiffany

04-12-2002, 08:49 PM	#9
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	You can take out play with that adjuster on top of the steering box. BUT do not over adjust it!! You can ruin the box. Take out enough play to make a nice diffrence. Don't try to make it perfect, you could mess it all up. ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/racedvl/racedvl69index.html Woodstock,IL.northwest of Chicago It's not what you buy, it's what you build!! I did not climb to the top of the food chain, to become a vegetarian. For some pics of my truck.



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