Sloppy Steering

[Maintenanceman]

The steering in my k20 is pretty sloppy. When I say sloppy I mean theres quite a bit of play in the steering wheel from left to right before the wheels start to turn. What causes this and what kind of remedies are there? Or, the better question, what kind of money am I going to have to lay down to get it fixed?

[jaredts]

There are several things that cause this.  Most aren't that expensive.  It seems to me like the most common is the idler arm.  Just have someone turn the wheel back and forth and look around to see where there is lost motion in the linkages.

[beastie_3]

4WD have idler arms?

[bagged81]

On my F100, the rag joint had ripped around one bolt and half way around the other.  Check the condition of the rag joint.  It is what absorbs the feel of the road.

[Maintenanceman]

Not trying to sound stupid but what exactly is a ' rag joint'?

[Captkaos]

Rag joint is the joint that is between the steering shaft and the steering box.

If it is excessively sloppy, check all your joints while someone is turning the wheel from non-movement to movement of the wheels.  Also check the frame at the steering box.

4x4's don't have idler arms, just a pitman arm and a drag link, with a tie rod.

[Maintenanceman]

gotcha...thanks captain