96 4x4 steering question

[tempfixit]

96 k1500 5.7 engine, 117,000 miles.

Vehicle seems to wonder traveling down the highway, I have checked tie rod ends, ball joints, replced pitman arm soemtime back but still get the wondering. The tires are cupped from this.

Today I checked the steering shaft seems to be ok, but I did notice that front tires straight, steering wheel locked, engine off and tires on the ground, I could move the steering shaft maybe quarter to half inch back and forth and it is also turning the input shaft to the steering gear box at the same time.

QUESTION is should the steering shaft being movable be a problem with the steering colum, steering gear box or both??? I will check into adjustment procedure to the steering gear box but the steering colum concerns me also.

Any advice welcome, thanks

[1993Suburban]

Hey there, let me know about the steering box adjustment. My steering shaft moves back and forth like a quarter of an inch. It makes the steering feel sloppy sometimes, and makes a clunk felt in the steering wheel when backing out of the driveway. It might need to replaced in which case I'm not too concerned about it then. Let us know what happens. Good luck.

[tempfixit]

I have the 96 Factory service manual pages for the adjustment scanned but do not know how to attach to this post. Any help, so others can learn from it.

Thanks

I will send you a PM 93suburban with the procedure, let me know if it worked

[tempfixit]

Checked with a couple of salvage yards for a used steering gear box and 1 stated that the 96 box is a 1 year fit for $100.00.

Once I get time I will try adjusting box and report back the results.

If anyone needs the adjustment procedure PM me with email address and I will send you the procedure I scanned from the FSM for 96 C/K Manual.

[777stickman]

Cupped front tires are an indication of alignment problems or worn front components. Best to address that first.

[tempfixit]

I have had a couple of other people look at the front end for bad parts but no one can find any. Nothing seems loose except the movement in the steering box. I can move the front wheels back and forth a little with the front end in the air. The steering wheel is off center a little since wife hit a concrete parking stopper.

I believe the cupped tires come from the front wheels moving back and forth from the play in steering sector. When driving on a asphalt road with tire ruts the vehicle wonders side to side as it follows the ruts. Once I get the steering tight again I will have to get front end aligned.

Has anyone got any tips on steering box adjustment??

Thanks

[777stickman]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

The steering wheel is off center a little since wife hit a concrete parking stopper.

Now there's a clue!! A loose box may cause wandering but will not cause cupped tires. An alignment problem will cause wandering and cupped tires.

But you seem bent on replacing or adjusting the box so good luck to you.

[tempfixit]

777stickman OK, I understand what you are saying about the alignment and wandering. Like I said I checked the steering mechanism's and nothing seems to be loose.

With the front wheels of the ground I can move the wheels side to side about a inch or so with the steering wheel locked and when I move the wheels all the steering linkage moves without any play in tie rod ends, and all other steering parts, I don't think I should be able to do that should I so what else should I check for.

Thanks

[Scrapper]

tires cup when shock or struts wore out. what does is bounce on the road thats cupping now if your gear box loose or out of ajustment that can cause the way it goes all over road. when you turn sparp corner does it sound like one the front tires like it's sliding or if your in a parking lot you turn sparp does it squeal on tire sound?

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by scrapper1

tires cup when shock or struts wore out. what does is bounce on the road thats cupping now if your gear box loose or out of ajustment that can cause the way it goes all over road. when you turn sparp corner does it sound like one the front tires like it's sliding or if your in a parking lot you turn sparp does it squeal on tire sound?

I don't ever remembering any squealing noise or sliding of tire when doing sharp turns on the road or parking lot.

[Scrapper]

that's a good thing i don't think gear box loose from frame it may need ajusted or replaced.did you check pitman arm or center drag link? i know you said checked outer tirerods right? the caster may be way of and this will make it wander but it's not a tire wearing angle. but check see about pitman arm and center drag link first and all ball four ball joints. the bottom ones would be the looser ones. one more thing it could be power sterring pump. then get it aligned.