Steering issue, gotta know before parts store closes

[mixedbrass]

Just failed inspection on new truck because the steering's loose. If can get it fixed by tomorrow afternoon I dont have to pay to get it inspected all overagin.

I have found the play is at the bottom of the steering shaft between Before the rag joint. it has about an 1/8th of a turn of free paly! (i can twist the shaft/wheel and the rag joint does not move...)

the cab was lifted by the previous owner but i am not sure if he ever did a steering extension, it seems like the shaft isnt grabbing too much meat above that rag joint...

If it is just a warn out steering shaft i can hopefully pick one up and get it done. but i am not sure if the real problem might be a lack of steering extention.

all the pay is at that joint right above the rag joint.

please help so i can pickup/order parts before the stores close for the night!

 

[PanamaExpat]

Mine has double rag joints so is different you than yours. Did you check that small u-joint to see if it is shot? Not sure if the parts store would have that whole steering shaft. I bought one off a member from the classifieds when I needed the parts for mine.

Can you youtube a video so we can see where the actual slop is in the shaft?

 

[mixedbrass]

just got off of the phone with all the local stores. no one can even find the steering link.
Maybe i can find one at the junk yard.

anyone wear this part out or is it just me?

 

[mixedbrass]

no play on the upper joint. its all under the round colar just above rag joint.

 

[PanamaExpat]

Probably wore out then. That shaft slides as the cab moves. Is the BL still on it?

 

[mixedbrass]

sorry i dont follow...
BL?

does it look like a steering extention was done to anyone or is that the standard bracket on the upper shaft?

 

[88_Eddie]

BL = body lift

that fat piece of tube or DOM looks to be a homemade steering shaft extension to me. and it doesnt look like it's welded, but i cant really tell

 

[PanamaExpat]

I don't see a steering extension. Looks like just the standard shaft.

 

[88_Eddie]

could be, it looks different than the one in my B2, IIRC

 

[mixedbrass]

yea, the BL (thanks for that) is staying on. atleast for now. the bolts are rusted to crap so it would be a longer project to do that than just fix the steering.

I am going to get a video of it. or atleast mark it and take a pic of how much it twists. I am also going to pull off that shaft. I am hoping at this point that the peg above the rag joint is what has warn out. if not then i am going to have to try and find a yard where i can pull a shaft.

Or i guess just fab up a an extention to get that overlap covered.

can any one recomend a company that makes good cheap steering extentions?