1993 GMC 3500 steering box

starbluetick · 06-22-2008, 04:21 PM

Going down the road the steering is a little loose and the truck will drift ,The steering rods are all tight.The upper and lower ball jounts are good.I am thinking the steering box is the problem, it has an ajustment on it can anyone tell me how to adjust the screw in or out to tighten up the steering, If that is what it is for. Thanks Bill

gmctrucks · 06-23-2008, 04:19 AM

How about that coupler thats on the steering shaft could it be worn out?

starbluetick · 06-23-2008, 06:41 AM

I checked that and there is no play in it. Thanks for the reply Bill

jimbo543 · 06-23-2008, 01:57 PM

pitman arm, idler arm those are very commonly loose.

if it turns out to be a worn steering gear, replace it.

starbluetick · 06-23-2008, 03:21 PM

I put a new pitman arm on it and the idler arm is good. It must be a worn steering gear. Thanks for the reply.

75K30 · 06-23-2008, 08:40 PM

To adjust the gear mesh, locate the slotted screw with a 5/8" hex locknut. Get the steering centered (wheels straight ahead), and loosen the locknut. Gradually tighten the adjusting screw in, while frequently checking the steering play by turning the steering wheel back and forth a turn or two...but leave it centered when adjusting. Evenually, you will take up the slack, unless the gears/bushings are really worn, in which case the adjusting screw will go all the way into the box! (not good). Tighten till the slack is all gone, then add about a half turn of preload to it. If all is well, you should feel the steering get just a little bit harder as you pass thru the center of the steering wheel's travel. Tighten the locknut securely, and enjoy the "new" feel of driving your truck.
Also remember that your system might need fresh fluid. Old fluid can get contaminated and tired. The steering system gets hot during use, and once the fluid breaks down it does not perform well.
At any rate, this should get you on the right track.
93', does this still have a rag joint? I think it does, and you may look into this also.

436'd skylark · 06-23-2008, 08:45 PM

If the balljoints be come dry or really tight it will cause all sorts of wierd driveabilty problems. it will feel like there is all sorts of slack and cause a point then steer feeling..

starbluetick · 06-24-2008, 04:40 AM

I am going to do that adjustment today and I will post on here how it turns out, and yes it has a rag joint. Thanks for all the replyies

starbluetick · 06-24-2008, 09:05 AM

I did the adjustment and no good. The steering box has to much play,I put a wrench on the steering shaft and you can move it a half a turn either way before the pitman arm starts to move.So I think I will just put a rebuilt steering box on it. Thanks for all the help greatly appreciated

91Z71baby · 06-24-2008, 11:03 PM

i recently replaced my power stering in my 91 chevy z71 and now it want steer at all unless you mash down on the gas and then it hums and whistels at you can some one plz help me out whats my problem

06-22-2008, 04:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
starbluetick Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Jackson Ohio Posts: 8	1993 GMC 3500 steering box Going down the road the steering is a little loose and the truck will drift ,The steering rods are all tight.The upper and lower ball jounts are good.I am thinking the steering box is the problem, it has an ajustment on it can anyone tell me how to adjust the screw in or out to tighten up the steering, If that is what it is for. Thanks Bill

06-23-2008, 08:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
436'd skylark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buffalo Ny Posts: 616	If the balljoints be come dry or really tight it will cause all sorts of wierd driveabilty problems. it will feel like there is all sorts of slack and cause a point then steer feeling.. __________________ Joe 89 K2500 Chevy, Wee-Oh-five 285K miles, completly rebuilt needs a motor, bad 1962 IHC Scout All Wheel Drive (Scout speak for locking axles) 152 ci, dana everything else

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06-23-2008, 04:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 1,060	How about that coupler thats on the steering shaft could it be worn out?

06-23-2008, 06:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
starbluetick Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Jackson Ohio Posts: 8	I checked that and there is no play in it. Thanks for the reply Bill

06-23-2008, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
jimbo543 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MN Posts: 166	pitman arm, idler arm those are very commonly loose. if it turns out to be a worn steering gear, replace it.

06-23-2008, 03:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
starbluetick Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Jackson Ohio Posts: 8	I put a new pitman arm on it and the idler arm is good. It must be a worn steering gear. Thanks for the reply.

06-23-2008, 08:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,287	To adjust the gear mesh, locate the slotted screw with a 5/8" hex locknut. Get the steering centered (wheels straight ahead), and loosen the locknut. Gradually tighten the adjusting screw in, while frequently checking the steering play by turning the steering wheel back and forth a turn or two...but leave it centered when adjusting. Evenually, you will take up the slack, unless the gears/bushings are really worn, in which case the adjusting screw will go all the way into the box! (not good). Tighten till the slack is all gone, then add about a half turn of preload to it. If all is well, you should feel the steering get just a little bit harder as you pass thru the center of the steering wheel's travel. Tighten the locknut securely, and enjoy the "new" feel of driving your truck. Also remember that your system might need fresh fluid. Old fluid can get contaminated and tired. The steering system gets hot during use, and once the fluid breaks down it does not perform well. At any rate, this should get you on the right track. 93', does this still have a rag joint? I think it does, and you may look into this also.

06-24-2008, 04:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
starbluetick Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Jackson Ohio Posts: 8	I am going to do that adjustment today and I will post on here how it turns out, and yes it has a rag joint. Thanks for all the replyies

06-24-2008, 09:05 AM	#9 (permalink)
starbluetick Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Jackson Ohio Posts: 8	I did the adjustment and no good. The steering box has to much play,I put a wrench on the steering shaft and you can move it a half a turn either way before the pitman arm starts to move.So I think I will just put a rebuilt steering box on it. Thanks for all the help greatly appreciated

06-24-2008, 11:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
91Z71baby Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	i recently replaced my power stering in my 91 chevy z71 and now it want steer at all unless you mash down on the gas and then it hums and whistels at you can some one plz help me out whats my problem