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Parts compatibility ... And sloppy steering..

Drskdc

Drskdc

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What is a good resource as far as parts compatibility? IE.. Tahoe, suburban, pick up... Also the first thing I notice is that while she rides great and handles well, there is a decent amount of play in the steering wheel. Is this adjustable or will I be replacing parts?
 
Drskdc said:
there is a decent amount of play in the steering wheel. Is this adjustable or will I be replacing parts?
Click to expand...

Off the top of the steering box going to the steering wheel is a "rag joint". It's likely shot allowing lots of steering slop. You can have a new front end under it and this will be the last thing you replace. Should be the first...

GMT 400 rag joint replacement

I now offer a quality replacement for the weak steering rag joint in the GMT400 trucks. This is a simple bolt in replacement item and requires on modifications to install. This is available for all models. Theses eliminate the slop in your steering and replaces the crappy rag joint also...
www.thetruckstop.us
 
WarWagon said:
Off the top of the steering box going to the steering wheel is a "rag joint". It's likely shot allowing lots of steering slop. You can have a new front end under it and this will be the last thing you replace. Should be the first...

GMT 400 rag joint replacement

I now offer a quality replacement for the weak steering rag joint in the GMT400 trucks. This is a simple bolt in replacement item and requires on modifications to install. This is available for all models. Theses eliminate the slop in your steering and replaces the crappy rag joint also...
www.thetruckstop.us
Click to expand...
Seems like there is a thread here on Jeep ujoint or something to replace the rag joint as an option.
 
WarWagon said:
Off the top of the steering box going to the steering wheel is a "rag joint". It's likely shot allowing lots of steering slop. You can have a new front end under it and this will be the last thing you replace. Should be the first...

GMT 400 rag joint replacement

I now offer a quality replacement for the weak steering rag joint in the GMT400 trucks. This is a simple bolt in replacement item and requires on modifications to install. This is available for all models. Theses eliminate the slop in your steering and replaces the crappy rag joint also...
www.thetruckstop.us
Click to expand...

I just did this, replacing the rag joint lower steering shaft with the Borgeson lower steering shaft. 1/4” play in the rag joint translated into 1.5” play at the steering wheel.

Previously replaced the box with a Red Head. Also replaced Pitman, Idler and tie rod ends. But the lower steering shaft had the most improvement.

It’s not as tight as a High School cheerleader, more like a college senior.
 
I too am interested in the solid ujoint type steering shaft. it's been a while ago, but I replaced the steering shaft that came with the rag joint. mine already has play in it. I had pulled it out and found the rubber was riveted in place. I ended up cutting off two of the rivets and using bolts to cinch it down a little tighter. it has worked for a while but I think I need something better.

I have also seen gear boxes have slop in the output shaft, side to side movement. I have an old box here I am wanting to tear down and see if there might be a fix that can be done, like maybe a bearing or bushing.
 
Will L. said:
You can rebuild them.
Click to expand...
I've never torn a gear box apart, I've seen bearings and seals available on RA. I guess I need to search for a write-up. I'm kinda in the same boat as Drskdc with mine driving straight but has play in the wheel. I'm sure that cardone rebuilt box I had installed has slop in it too. maybe it's a good thing I kept the core so I can tinker lol
 
Searching online all I can find is his write-up on adjusting one. but all the photos are gone!

adjusting a steering box

These instructions are for a late model type steering box like the 88+ has in it, earlier trucks is similiar though. 1.Heres what we start off with as this job is MUCH easier to do with the box out on the bench. 2.Start off by taking a hammer and a large flat punch and loosen then remove the...
www.thetruckstop.us
 
Here's the shaft one.

88-98(-00 2500/3500's) XJ steering shaft upgrade.

Theres been much talk of this upgrade on other forums, but the only write ups I could find are for the 88-94(some say to 96, but US models starting in 95 added in the drivers side airbag and went to the new style column so it's to 94 for US models) style shaft. First we start off with a regular...
www.thetruckstop.us
 
The only reason for the rag joint was to absorb road/tire vibration through the steering system while allowing a change in angle. I'd trade tighter steering for the minimal difference in vibration through the steering wheel - especially for the ability to 'elbow on top of the door panel, two fingers on the wheel cruising down the Interstate at 75, without worrying about wandering in/out of your lane' driving.
 
Husker6.5 said:
The only reason for the rag joint was to absorb road/tire vibration through the steering system while allowing a change in angle. I'd trade tighter steering for the minimal difference in vibration through the steering wheel - especially for the ability to 'elbow on top of the door panel, two fingers on the wheel cruising down the Interstate at 75, without worrying about wandering in/out of your lane' driving.
Click to expand...

Now that I have the Borgeson unit, the amount of vibration through the steering system is negligible.

1/4” of play in the rag joint literally translated to 1.5” to 2” of play at the steering wheel and the rag joint was designed for about 1/4” max play. It makes me wonder if these vehicles ever did have tight steering? I never owned one new, so I will never know.
 
Big T said:
Now that I have the Borgeson unit, the amount of vibration through the steering system is negligible.

1/4” of play in the rag joint literally translated to 1.5” to 2” of play at the steering wheel and the rag joint was designed for about 1/4” max play. It makes me wonder if these vehicles ever did have tight steering? I never owned one new, so I will never know.
Click to expand...
New there was always a bit of 'steering the barge' feeling but responsive, but not the soft 'tacking the sailboat' wide spot that worn rag joints give after 25yrs/200K+ miles!
 
all this talk about steering and slop had gotten me curious.... I pulled my old core gear box out and started tinkering... I decided to follow Ferm's thread on taking the slop out but before I did, I got it up on the bench and started checking the slack.

I turned the input shaft left and right. seems it has 1-1/2 turns from center to stop both ways. what hit me as interesting is when I hit the right side stop, the input shaft (spline shaft to the steering wheel) has this springyness to it. you can almost get an 1/8th of a turn and the shaft will go inward towards the box and spring back like a screw. turning to the left stop and it's solid. I don't think this is normal.

I went ahead and followed Ferm's thread and cinched up all the slack in the box. before you could use a pair of pliers on the output shaft and feel the clunkyness of the gears meshing back n fourth. now it has no slack but still has the springyness when turning to the right stop.

this 1/8th of play in the input shaft can account for quite a bit in the steering wheel. I did rotate it back to center and try holding the output shaft and force the input shaft to the right and the springyness play is still there! Maybe someone can elaborate on what this is and what causes it. this can be an unseen issue causing play in our steering wheels.

I seem to have the itch to try my hand at rebuilding this box while I'm stuck at home on quarenteen! it's one of those "do it just to see if I can" things!! if I do, I will try to post a write-up thread on what I find.
 
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