Speaking of Steering, how much play?

[bucks77ford]

Reading Ben's power assist steering thread got me thinking about my steering. I know these trucks don't drive like new ones, but how much play should there be in steering if at all. I have about 1/2" or so in my steering and everything is tight. I'm thinking my gearbox needs an adjustment, but I don't really want to mess with that because I'm afraid I'll just make it worse. If the adjustment screw is turned in all the way and there still is play, does that mean the gearbox is shot?

 

[blacksnapon]

A steering wheel that size should have no more than 1" of play. If its only 1/2" thats not too bad.

 

[bucks77ford]

A steering wheel that size should have no more than 1" of play. If its only 1/2" thats not too bad.

I know I have less than an inch, so that's good to know. I think I just need to drive my truck more and get used to it.

 

[TexasRho83]

Yeah I dont think my truck will ever feel as tight as my '05

 

[dakonthemountain]

True. I commute in my Saturn and drive the GMC Jimmy 4X4 in the winter snows. When I first get in Burt it takes a couple minutes to adjust from the tight rack and pinion steering to the rag joint steering. But only a minute or so. I have about the same slack as Buck.... about 1/2"
BTW Buck,.... your truck looks SO COOL!!
Dak

 

[77f2504by4]

buck, do you have power assist steering? or did you upgrade to integral? if you have power assist, there is about a half inch of movement in the control valve as it does its job directing flow of the hydraulic fluid. but this movement should only be noticable with the truck off. at least thats how mine is.

 

[radialarm]

Well if you've got to bump the wheel from side to side to stay in your lane, that's too much play!!!