[tmitchell]

Hi guys,

my Sierra steering box has that much play in it that the steering wheel moves nearly a quarter of a revolution before the play is taken up....no shit.

Has anybody here rebuilt one, or is buying a new one the better/cheaper option?

When driving any type of road these days, the front wheels get a wobble up like it just threw all the wheel weights at once, and it's getting worse. Do you think this is a result of nil pressure on the steering gear from too much play, or is it likely to be caused by something else?

I have jacked up the front end and it seems that wheel bearings and tie rod ends are good. U-bolts on the springs are tight, and shackles are fine also, though I could do with a set of rubber bushes.

Cheers,
Ted.

[sideways]

The wobbles will probably stem from your wheelbearings or king pins.

All Sierras have a ton of steering play. You'l probably find that new shackle bushes will help more than a steering box R&R. With live axles, leaf springs and no panhard bar you will always have the feeling that there's a ton of play (and/or vagueness) because the axle moves around under the car quite a bit.

You should be able to find someone who will rebuild the steering box but IIRC Suzistore sell them new for $200. If I was you I'd find the steering box from a low KMs Jimny and convert to power steering.

[alien]

I think of the steering play as an "are you sure?" followed by a run up for the heavy bit where it starts working =)

[tmitchell]

Thanks very much for that Sideways. Lots of useful info there so I can now check a couple of things. I will replace the rubbers, and check king pins and wheel bearings. Couldn't find any movement when the front end was off the ground yesterday though.

I might just get a new box though. I'm fair dinkum when I say the steering wheel turns nearly a quarter turn before the wheels move.

Thanks for your input too Alien. I'm not too sure I need the 'are you sure' before I commit where I drive. I need to commit and then just ride it out as there is often no turning back. I took my shorty up a hill yesterday morning that was so steep I had to back down as I couldn't keep the front wheels on the ground, and that was in low/low with 6.5's...haha.


Oh yeah,..Suzistore steering boxes are $395 plus postage. Where could I buy parts to rebuild?


Cheers,
Ted.

[ZukinLao]

You get the steering play fixed? Did it end up being the steering box?

[tanshi]

you can adjust the play out of the boxes some times using the nut on top of the box.