"New" Play/Slop in my steering...Please Help!!

Jon · 09-04-2008, 06:24 PM

First off, I'm new and psyched to be part of the forum! I purchased a chevy truck this past spring, and have been very happy with it, I just have a new problem I need to address:

I notice play/slop in my steering lately, and not sure from what/where. I think my steering components are good, had a new pitman arm installed when I bought it in may. I can best describe it as an inch or so play in the wheel, but not play like all throughout the steering components. It's as if the play is happening before all that... with the truck off, (no pwr steering asst) I can turn the wheel back and forth with little resistance. It CERTAINLY feels like it's coming from the steering box and not other components. Is there an adjustment to compensate for this? I read where I'm NOT supposed to mess with this, as it can cause other bad steering problems... is this possibly the only culprit? I would love to fix this without a big expense.... I thought I'd post it here,... for the experts to help! Thanks SO much forum!!! (truck described below)
Jon

2000 chevy K2500
4x4 reg cab/full bed
5.7L 350 V8... completely "stock" motor/suspension/tires

alans2354 · 09-04-2008, 06:30 PM

i think gm had a recall on that you should call the dealer and if thats the case they will fix it for free even if you dont have a warenty

stumpuller454 · 09-04-2008, 06:33 PM

Welcome to the forum!!!! so yeah the steering box is something that is adjustable... but that would need adjustment after a progression of noticable play, did this happen all of a sudden?

Jon · 09-04-2008, 06:48 PM

Thanks for the welcome folks!!! I have been noticing this the last few weeks... I started a new job recently, and now incorporate highway driving... i didn't really notice it before my new commute. It feels as if the truck "drifts" a little and I have to compensate for this "play". It drives down the road VERY straight, and it doesn't "pull" to either side... just this darn "play" that seems to be before the other steering components... I'm no expert, I'm just tryin' to do my best to describe it. Thanks SO MUCH for the quick response,... YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!

P.S. I'm a copy machine salesman... pretty funny to see a copy guy go to businesses in a 3/4 ton truck!! LOL!!!

87c10slammer · 09-05-2008, 08:05 AM

sounds to me like that pitman arm is bad again

roeckel76 · 09-05-2008, 05:39 PM

i drive a 94 chev and had the same prob. not sure if the components are made similar but its a thought. there should be a hex head screw on top the steering box. i made a quarter turn on that and tightened me up nicely.

heavychevy85 · 09-05-2008, 09:03 PM

you might want to look into a upper steering shaft assembly its i the lmc for 99-06 gmc and chevy and for this book it just has the wear and tear parts and cosmetic stuff and this is one of the parts that is in here along with window regulators and door pins so my bet is that cuz i have the same problem with my 02 yukon and i was reading the info on it in the lmc and it was exactly what i was expirencing so check it out oh the only bad thing is its 300 bucks

gmctrucks · 09-06-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roeckel76

i drive a 94 chev and had the same prob. not sure if the components are made similar but its a thought. there should be a hex head screw on top the steering box. i made a quarter turn on that and tightened me up nicely.

First check all your parts before your mess with box sure it will feel better but the problem still might be there that's why check real good.

RoadHammerTLM · 09-06-2008, 07:35 PM

My 78 C-10 has the same problem. I was thinking it was the steering box. I am interested to know what you find as the cure.

Hammer

heavychevy85 · 09-06-2008, 09:48 PM

i need a new upper stearing shaft in my 85 k10 you can move the seering wheel around and the lower steering shaft wont hardly move so that counts out the box well in my situation so you might wanna check into that.

they don't put them in these parts catalogs if they don't wear out

09-04-2008, 06:24 PM	#1
Jon Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 9	"New" Play/Slop in my steering...Please Help!! First off, I'm new and psyched to be part of the forum! I purchased a chevy truck this past spring, and have been very happy with it, I just have a new problem I need to address: I notice play/slop in my steering lately, and not sure from what/where. I think my steering components are good, had a new pitman arm installed when I bought it in may. I can best describe it as an inch or so play in the wheel, but not play like all throughout the steering components. It's as if the play is happening before all that... with the truck off, (no pwr steering asst) I can turn the wheel back and forth with little resistance. It CERTAINLY feels like it's coming from the steering box and not other components. Is there an adjustment to compensate for this? I read where I'm NOT supposed to mess with this, as it can cause other bad steering problems... is this possibly the only culprit? I would love to fix this without a big expense.... I thought I'd post it here,... for the experts to help! Thanks SO much forum!!! (truck described below) Jon 2000 chevy K2500 4x4 reg cab/full bed 5.7L 350 V8... completely "stock" motor/suspension/tires

09-04-2008, 06:33 PM	#3
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Really FAR NORTH! Posts: 1,031	Welcome to the forum!!!! so yeah the steering box is something that is adjustable... but that would need adjustment after a progression of noticable play, did this happen all of a sudden? __________________ Red seal certified Journeyman Automotive Mechanic *Supercharger comming soon!*

09-04-2008, 06:48 PM	#4
Jon Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 9	Thanks! Thanks for the welcome folks!!! I have been noticing this the last few weeks... I started a new job recently, and now incorporate highway driving... i didn't really notice it before my new commute. It feels as if the truck "drifts" a little and I have to compensate for this "play". It drives down the road VERY straight, and it doesn't "pull" to either side... just this darn "play" that seems to be before the other steering components... I'm no expert, I'm just tryin' to do my best to describe it. Thanks SO MUCH for the quick response,... YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!! P.S. I'm a copy machine salesman... pretty funny to see a copy guy go to businesses in a 3/4 ton truck!! LOL!!!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
"help" can't find my power door lock relay switch	kealohaboy	Ford Truck Forum	2	06-01-2008 05:01 PM
The "lift bed" Procedure for R&R tank mounted fuel pump?	Shox	Chevy Truck Forum	4	02-16-2007 12:01 PM

09-04-2008, 06:30 PM	#2
alans2354 Full Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 15	i think gm had a recall on that you should call the dealer and if thats the case they will fix it for free even if you dont have a warenty

09-05-2008, 08:05 AM	#5
87c10slammer Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: levittown pa Posts: 2,197	sounds to me like that pitman arm is bad again

09-05-2008, 05:39 PM	#6
roeckel76 Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14	i drive a 94 chev and had the same prob. not sure if the components are made similar but its a thought. there should be a hex head screw on top the steering box. i made a quarter turn on that and tightened me up nicely.

09-05-2008, 09:03 PM	#7
heavychevy85 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Muncy, PA Posts: 262	you might want to look into a upper steering shaft assembly its i the lmc for 99-06 gmc and chevy and for this book it just has the wear and tear parts and cosmetic stuff and this is one of the parts that is in here along with window regulators and door pins so my bet is that cuz i have the same problem with my 02 yukon and i was reading the info on it in the lmc and it was exactly what i was expirencing so check it out oh the only bad thing is its 300 bucks

09-06-2008, 07:35 PM	#9
RoadHammerTLM Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 280	My 78 C-10 has the same problem. I was thinking it was the steering box. I am interested to know what you find as the cure. Hammer

09-06-2008, 09:48 PM	#10
heavychevy85 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Muncy, PA Posts: 262	i need a new upper stearing shaft in my 85 k10 you can move the seering wheel around and the lower steering shaft wont hardly move so that counts out the box well in my situation so you might wanna check into that. they don't put them in these parts catalogs if they don't wear out