chev loose steering

[SMEGMA STENCH]

Got loose steering in my 87 chev . Silverado 5.7l . So my question is specific . Do anybody know if its a good idea to tighten that screw on the steering box . Couple people said its ok but risky . Suppose to get the little gears in there closer . Anybody done this ? If so did you have a good result ?

[mikeb]

I've fiddled around with that screw before and the only change I noticed was increased drag when I turned the steering wheel. It did not fix the slop issue.

Are you sure the problem is in the steering box? I'd have someone sit in the truck and turn the wheel slightly from side to side while you slide under and look at tie rod ends and steering linkage. If they are worn you'll be able to see it. Could also be worn ball joints.

["MrEd"]

Also check and make sure steering gear box it tight to the frame and that the frame is not cracked/busted at gear box mount arear.

[black50]

could be a worn splines in the pitman arm...Thats what was wrong with mine on my 2000 chevy 4x4

[junk racing]

probably a worn out gear box....replaced a bunch of them

[SEB]

My 94 GMC 350 has sloppy steering. But its the norm on these models! I just deal with it.

[71chevellejohn]

Has the front end(ball joints, tie rods, etc...) ever been rebuilt? I would look to the normal wear items before randomly messing/replacing with the steering box.

[SC457A]

Playing with the preload on a gear box is generally a bad idea. It can make returning to center after a turn terrible. It will stick and not return with out any help if you mess with it too much.

Something has to be worn or loose. Time to diagnose it, not bandaid fix.

[Sleeper]

Just check over the suspesion and fix what needs fixed. If you don't know what your looking at ask someone to look at it who does.

My bet is steering shaft play

[SMEGMA STENCH]

Playing with the preload on a gear box is generally a bad idea. It can make returning to center after a turn terrible. It will stick and not return with out any help if you mess with it too much.

Something has to be worn or loose. Time to diagnose it, not bandaid fix.

Yeah someone said it was a risk to mess with it . The way i was told, there are two little gears in there and when you tighten that screw it can make them mesh better . He said over time they wear like anything else . So thats why you might do that if it was true .

Reason i was asking is i already replaced the pitman arm with a moog problem solver brand . Old pitman arm was worn and it took about an inch of slack ou t. I was please with the result but still got a little slack left .

Tie rods look ok . Had to replace 1 balljoint already . Not sure about others . Will check steering shaft itself and get a buddy to help . Thanks for the help so far though guys have given me more things to check

[naynay]

https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com

not sure why a right-wing genius would ask these questions on a non car-based "mustang" website to begin with

also www.rockauto.com

[Raskal]

My 94 GMC 350 has sloppy steering. But its the norm on these models! I just deal with it.

x2 I haven't ever driven a full size GM product made before 2000 that didn't have a good amount of play in the wheel.

[SMEGMA STENCH]

www.67-72chevytrucks.com

not sure why a right-wing genius would ask these questions on a non car-based "mustang" website to begin with

also www.rockauto.com

th forum description says chevys in here

but thanks that does look like a good one ill be a member over there too

[Sleeper]

x2 I haven't ever driven a full size GM product made before 2000 that didn't have a good amount of play in the wheel.

My 94 is rock solid, but i replaced the steering shaft with a good solid unit.

[CRASH]

As previously stated, check the frame where the steering box mounts. My dad has welded up several of those frames over the years. They're notoriously bad about cracking.