Cascade Crew

91RSVert · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:19 am Post subject: Steering q's

This is on a 96 s10, but basically same front suspension.

Bosses truck he just picked up. It had a really sloppy steering. I looked and told him it needed an idler arm as you could grab it and it clunked.

He got that fixed yesterday, and now the truck wonders the road really bad. Also takes about 1/4 turn of the wheel before it starts turning. The shop told him it needed a steering box Rolling Eyes

.

To me this is all signs of worn parts. As well, the tires are worn on the inside and the wheels to me seem to have to much negative camber IMO.

Has anyone heard of a steering box gone bad? What are the above signs in your mind? I'm going to inspect the control arms tonight. All the other linkage appeared to be good when I was under it a few weeks ago.

On a 15" wheel, how much negative camber should be on them... as if I was to hold a level next to the wheel, what would be the gap up top?

blue89 · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:15 am Post subject:

I would think that the slop would either be in the linkage or the box. The box is easy to tighten. You might also want to check the rag joint on the steering column in the engine bay. Pick the front end up off the ground and start shaking the tires and such looking for loose parts. After everything is all tight and happy I'd take it to an alignment shop.

91RSVert · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

The shop played with adjusting the box.

I was thinking rag joint as well. But thats easier said then accessing on this thing.

Yea, plan to jack it up and check uppers, lowers, wheelbearings, etc.

91RSVert · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:32 am Post subject:

upper bushings - gone (litterly)
upper balls - appear ok, but hard to tell with bushing play
wheelbearings - good
rag - good

Lets hope the bushings fix this thing. Anyone think I can get the old ones out, and new ones in with a BFH?

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:44 am Post subject:

Uppers I use an Air Hammer.

This thing needs an alignment too.

91RSVert · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:19 am Post subject:

air hammer... I have an air chissel with different bits for it.

Hell, as far trashed as the bushings are, may not need to hammer them out Laughing

Will re-check alignment after new parts are in.

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:00 pm Post subject:

this truck seems like a new truck now. Just got finished with it.

Time to get it out of my packed yard.