78 steering problem

[showstopper327]

i have a 1978 k10 thats lifted 4inches suspension and 3 inches body. I'm getting it ready for snow and i put some p2357515 snow tires on it and i still have the steering play in it after putting a new gear box,rag joint,drag link and twin steering shocks. I bought the truck with the lift and its had this play ever since. I thought it was a worn out gear box but i guess I was wrong. I dont know what else to do. It looks like the frame was fixed already where the gear box is mounted. I know for sure it has the stock pitman arm but not sure about the steering arm. The drag link it almost level so it doesn't have a big angle to it. idk if thats correct or not since I don't have anything else to compare it too.

What else do i look for? do i need a drop pitman arm? but then the angle of the drag link might be down? I'm almost ready to give up. 

[Jason S]

How much steering play are you talking about? 

Have you checked out the other front end parts (tie rod, wheel bearings, ball joints)?


View looking from front of truck toward the rear of stock steering arm.


View looking from front of truck toward the rear of raised steering arm.

[bake74]

Have you checked out the other front end parts (tie rod, wheel bearings, ball joints)?

  x2.  Also have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth with truck off, while you check the front end to see where the play is coming from, especially like Jason s said, the steering componets.

[showstopper327]

maybe a 1/4 or little more of play. So I do have a raised steering arm. Should the drag link be angled down?

[firefighter]

Should the drag link be angled down?

Let me put it this way. The flatter the drag link it, but better the steering geometry is.
You don't need to get out the level but it should be relatively flat.

As mentioned, the best way to find the play is to have someone turning the wheel back and forth while you're under the truck checking all steering components for looseness.

[beastie_3]

where is the play coming from?

[showstopper327]

I'm going to try to explain this..... with the truck off i can turn the wheel maybe almost a 1/4 each way, maybe lower before it stops..  I go under the truck I turn the steering shaft by hand and the pitman arms does move right away. It looks as if its pushing the arm down on the drag link? Now remember this is a new gear box, rag joint and drag link and still doing this even after adjusting the box. Another thing i notice is the tie rods are mounted different than the picture from about.. The castle nut is on top? Is this right or did the idiots before me try to do something?

I'm wondering if i need a drop pitman arm but the drag is almost level?

[thirsty]

I go under the truck I turn the steering shaft by hand and the pitman arms does move right away. It looks as if its pushing the arm down on the drag link?

This sounds like you have an issue right there.

[bake74]

   the tie rods are mounted different than the picture from about.. The castle nut is on top? Is this right or did the idiots before me try to do something?

I'm wondering if i need a drop pitman arm but the drag is almost level?

     Do you have a pic, they should be the same as the above pic.  I'm not sure what you mean that the tie rods are not the same.

[firefighter]

On my 1976 4x4, the swivel joints on the drag link are configured the exact way as the pictures shown above.

[showstopper327]

Ill take a picture as soon as i can. Im talking about the long tie rod on the front of the truck on how its upside down. In the picture above the castle nut is on the bottom. The way the idiots before me installed it. The castle up is on top  with the body of the tie rod on the bottom.

Could there be a reason why its pushing the pitman arm down on the drag link? this is the third gear box doing this? and its brand new.

[87454westernhauler]

my friend has a 78 4x4 k1500 that has tons of play in the steering. but it is like steering air it is so loose. idk it acts like it has to much power steering!

[showstopper327]

That's pretty much like what mine feels like when I'm driving. But when u slow down u can start to feel it

[firefighter]

That's pretty much like what mine feels like when I'm driving. But when u slow down u can start to feel it

So this truck is relatively new to you? The steering has been this way every since you got it?
Since it seems that the steering has been "customized" a bit, is it possible the power steering hoses are reversed?
I really don't know if this would make any kind of difference or affect anything, but something strange is going on here.
It's not like you haven't done anything to try and correct it. It sounds like you've changed all the pertinent items already. It's almost like we're looking for something that isn't a "normal" problem and I'm just throwing out thoughts.

[showstopper327]

no I have had this truck for a while. its been sitting for 3 years. this whole time I thought it was the gear box and drag link.

I dont think the lines are reversed because there are different sizes on the gear box and i just put a new pressure line in.