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Sloppy Steering! Help Please


4x4junkie

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The steering wheel shouldn't have more than ¼ - ½" of play (or about 2-3° rotational) before the sector shaft moves.

Yeah you can try tightening up the meshload adjustment. Just be careful though, you don't want to bind up the box at all.
 


SenorNoob

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Not to threadjack, but would this meshload adjustment be why my steering wheel requires no effort to turn. It's like it's got too much power in the power steering. Yes, I know it has much to do with the size of the steering wheel.
 
Dweano

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I tightened up some steering components. One bolt on my stonecrusher steering was slightly loose and I cranked on it hard so it should be tight now. Also screwed in the steering adjustor about half a turn. Seemed to make some difference, and I still have some slop so I am in no danger of binding it up. Will see what difference it makes once I get my 5.0L in it.
 
Harley

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you may have already checked this but i had the same issue and it turned out my pitman arm nut was a little loose. i could only see the movement in it when i had someone turn the wheel back and forth while i was watching down below....
 
Dweano

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Hmm...thats actually something I didn't check. If I do I should take it off...straighten it...and put it back on. My steering wheel is not straight when my truck is going straight haha
 
FritzTKatt

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The pitman arm has a double spline on one spot so you can only put it on the right way (unless you used a hammer).

Maybe once you get the rest of the system sorted out, put the wheel straight (pitman arm should be straight too), and rough align the toe-in/out so they are straight. Then have a professional do a real alignment.
 
Dweano

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I have an aftermarket drop pitman arm (from my lift) so I think it has normal splines. I have spent too much time (and money) messing around with "professionals" trying to align my truck. I think I will research how to do it properly and do it myself to the best of my ability
 
Harley

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Dweano said:
I have an aftermarket drop pitman arm (from my lift) so I think it has normal splines. I have spent too much time (and money) messing around with "professionals" trying to align my truck. I think I will research how to do it properly and do it myself to the best of my ability
Click to expand...
did you get the wandering problem fixed?? im really fighting with mine right now...
 
Dweano

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I think so. I am in the middle of a V8 swap so I haven't driven it. But I noticed that my body lift coupler was loose so I tighten that and adjusted the gearbox. Now there is way less play in my steering wheel
 
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