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Author Topic: steering box swaps  (Read 5452 times)

Offline 1tonson

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steering box swaps
« on: October 01, 2007, 11:33:58 pm »
1983 k-30 dually. iv'e been working on a vibration, replaced the pitman-to-steering arm tie rods. but think its in the steering box? does anyone have a interchange with maybe a quicker ratio steering box swap. the rag joint seems pretty bad, but dont know how to diagnose the pitman arm. any help?thanks
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Online zieg85

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Re: steering box swaps
« Reply #1 on: October 02, 2007, 05:26:19 am »
Vibrations could be caused by bad wheel bearings.  I have had them feel good but when I inspected them they were pitted.  My $.02
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Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline Captkaos

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Re: steering box swaps
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2007, 09:03:03 am »
There isn't a quicker/faster box for these trucks.  They are 81-87(91) only.
Vibrations shouldn't be coming from the steering box even if it was loose.  Check the frame to see if it is cracked and as zieg said check the wheel bearings.  Is it a constant vibration, or does it change with speed?
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Offline 1tonson

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Re: steering box swaps
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2007, 11:10:55 am »
It does change with speed. jacked it up the wheels turned smooth with no roughness or wobble that i could tell. but seems like alot of play in the box, the frame is pretty clean(no cracked frame that i can see). the rag joint is not too good, though. any thoughts? P.S. can a box be swapped from a newer truck? :-\
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: steering box swaps
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2007, 01:00:52 pm »
Do a drypark check of each component by having an assistant rock the steering back and fourth with the wheels on the ground.
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Offline 1tonson

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Re: steering box swaps
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2007, 01:22:43 pm »
done it... the only thing is either the rag joint or the steering gear. and alot of it seems like the "box".  what about symptoms of a 'BAD' pitman arm?
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Online zieg85

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Re: steering box swaps
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2007, 02:52:46 pm »
A bad pitman arm you would see play where the center link mounts to it.  Pitted wheel bearings wouldn't neccesarily be noticed by how you checked them.  You really need to physically inspect them.  Been there done that.
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Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: steering box swaps
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2007, 09:23:59 pm »
Quote from: 1tonson on October 02, 2007, 01:22:43 pm
done it... the only thing is either the rag joint or the steering gear. and alot of it seems like the "box".  what about symptoms of a 'BAD' pitman arm?

Well which is it? Where do you see the play? If you see axial play in a ball stud & socket in any joint replace it. Lateral play -replace it. If you see the steering shaft rotate but not the worm gear on the box then replace the rag joint.
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,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline 1tonson

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Re: steering box swaps
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2007, 11:06:22 pm »
I see the steering shaft and rag joint turn..more than half a revolution, before the pitman arm. I know its a truck but dang...
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