I have 2008 Sierra crew cab z71 that has always had loose steering. I know its not the linkage or bushings because it only has 33,100 miles. There is around 1-1.5 free play in steering while driving. Never had this problem with any other gm vehicle. Drives me so crazy I am thinking of changing vehicle just toget away from it. I like a tight, stiff steering feel, and this doesn't have it. Any ideas on what I can do?
Loose steering
- Thread starter Knecht34
- Start date
Molson02536
New member
You can check the steering linkage to the steering box and see if the rag joint has gone bad. But it sounds just like mesh load wasn't set at the gearbox at the assembly line correctly.
There is a adjustment screw you can tighten up, it's the allen screw on the top of the gear box. There should be a set screw on the side or top of the gear box that you can tighten to remove some of the slack. You need to be careful when adjusting it, go to much and you can cause damage to the gears by applying to much pressure and wreck the gears in there.
Tighten the allen screw only in 1/4 turn increments, then tighten the locking nut back on it again (keep the allen key in the screw to keep it from falling out of adjustment) and then check your steering again. Best to do it on flat dry pavement, so that you can judge if it takes less movement of the wheel before the wheels move themselves.
If that didn't help, tighten it another 1/4 turn. If its not helping at all by 1 full turn, then back it off a half turn and save money for a new steering box. That's if you're pitman and idler arms an tie-rod ends are good though.
Keep us posted and good luck or you can have a shop adjust the mesh load on your steering box.
Molson02536
Molson02536
New member
Adjustment screw is on the steering box it self.
Here is s link for a 84 S10 jimmy, but it's information would be the same as for yours. http://www.justanswer.com/gm/72r05-gm-s15-recently-purchased-old-junker-84-gmc-s15-work.html
Good luck and keep us posted
Molson02536