steering problems

guys,
ihave 77 3.5 lift 33 tires p.s. i have about a 2 inch play in steering wheel. i have a steering sabilizer. is there any aftermarket product to cure this? when windy its back and forth. nice road nice day its ok.
any suggestions??
thanks

steelframingone said:

guys,
ihave 77 3.5 lift 33 tires p.s. i have about a 2 inch play in steering wheel. i have a steering sabilizer. is there any aftermarket product to cure this? when windy its back and forth. nice road nice day its ok.
any suggestions??
thanks

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OK, first things first. Take off the steering stabilizer. It's really not necesary, and only tends to mask problems. Then, while you're laying on your back under the Bronco, have someone move the steering wheel back and forth. You will be able to spot, almost immediately, where the problem is. It could be almost anything. Worn rag joint in the steering shaft, worn steering box. Worn rod ends at either end of the drag link or tie-rod. Worn track bar bushings.

The steering box could be moving on the frame itself due to cracks in/weak frame rail. My was like that so I cut a 1/4" steel plate and ran the steering box bolts though the box, frame, and plate-like a frame sandwhich. Make sure to get the plate perfectly flush against the frame though, I had to weld in a small metal shim(maybe 1/8") cant see the shim so it looks fine and it really snuged everything up great.

Rob

Also. 2" of play in the steering isn't much considering that it is a 30 year old truck.

And I wouldn't toss that stabilizer away too fast. It is really a steering camper. it dampens sudden shocks to the steering box allowing the box to live longer.

Having someone turn the steering wheel a little while looking things over is always a good idea. you should see movement going into a part and movement coming out. when that doesn't happen, then that is your problem. Don't forget to look at the track bar and its brackets.

Like I said, this is a 30 year old truck, not a new car. Even new the steering probably wasn't super tight.