steering problem

[fanelle]

I have a 2000 ZR2 S10, out of nowhere my sterring seemed to take a ****. I seem to have alot of play in the steering wheel while driing the truck. While parked i can move the steering wheel right to left a least an inch before the wheels move and the steering that once seems tight seems loose to the feel. What can cause this and is there a fix.

History of repair:
lower ball joints
idler arm
new rancho adjustable shocks
front end alignment

I am reading that this could be the steering box, i hope not.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciate,

-Rob

[791ton]

Originally Posted by fanelle

History of repair:
lower ball joints
idler arm
new rancho adjustable shocks
front end alignment


-Rob

jack up the front of your truck and "shake down" the front end. Move each tire ( push pull motion) by grabbing the top and the bottom of the tire to check ball joints, grab each side to check the idler, pitman, and such.


Heres what to check:

1Inspect Ball Joint - Lower Worn or damaged lower ball joints

2Inspect Ball Joint - Upper Worn or damaged upper ball joints.

3Inspect Power Steering Pump Worn or damaged power steering pump

4Inspect Power Steering Control Valve Loose, worn, damaged, or faulty power steering control valve.

5Inspect Power Steering Cylinder Loose or worn power steering cylinder.

6Inspect Power Steering Hose Leaking, clogged or incorrectly installed power steering hose.

7Inspect Rack & Pinion Leaking, worn or damaged rack & pinion steering assembly.

8Inspect Steering Gear (Power Steering) Loose, worn, or incorrectly adjusted steering gear or steering gear mounting bolts.

9Inspect Tie Rod End Loose, worn or incorrectly adjusted tie rod end(s).

10Inspect Center Link Loose, worn, damaged, or improperly aligned centerlink or other steering component(s).

11Inspect King Bolt Worn, damaged, seized or faulty kingbolt(kingpin).

12Inspect Pitman Arm Worn pitman arm or other front end part(s).

[fanelle]

I check all of the thing u mentioned before u mentioned them. Could the steering box need replacing. I can move the steering wheel 1 to 2 inches before the wheels start to move. Is that normal. My buddy has a ford F150 4x4, as soon as he move his steering wheel in the slightest way the tires move, mine do not.

-Rob

[mrjohnwayne]

have you checked the pitman arm or the rag joint (little rubber piece that connects steering shaft to gearbox).

[fanelle]

No i think that's the next thing i need to check. Do they go bad often?

[mrjohnwayne]

they shouldnt but if you have done alot of offroading or rough road driving they will go faster then on road driving.

[Hayden]

S-10's (blazers or trucks) are known for the front end components to go bad. Do what 791 ton has suggested or take it in to get an inspection. They are usually free for the inspection. Just don't have the shop do the work if you're capable of doing it yourself. They will literally take an Arm and a Leg for parts and labor.

[fanelle]

I had to fix the ABS yesterday so i jack the front off the ground. What i found was with the steering wheel locked, i was able to shake the front tires from right to left 1 to 2 inches each way. I got the same movement from both the right tire and the left. Everything on the underside is tight, ie, steering linkage, tie rod ends, idler arm, pitman arm ect. At this point i would have to believe it's somewhere in the rag joint which was mentioned and or the steering box.

Should there be that much play from right to left when grabbing the wheel and shaking it by hand? If i remember corrrectly form trying this on my other vehicles the wheels should be tight as ****, there should be no movement.

Comments?

[791ton]

a little play is normal. but not as much as you described.