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| | | Steering loose | Joined: May 2013 Posts: 18 stranger | OP stranger Joined: May 2013 Posts: 18 | Hey y'all, Back with my '95 GMC G2500 Vandura money pit. Driving down the highway the steering feels loose. I'm getting ready to ck the ball joints but also wondered about cking the tie rods & exactly how to do that correctly. Thanks in advance for the input. J | | | Re: Steering loose | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,695 veteran | veteran Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,695 | There could be a whole bunch of reasons for loose steering. The first question is, how long have you owned a van? They drive different than a car. The loose feeling could be that it's a truck and not a sports car. I've been driving vans for 40 years, so when I get in a car, it feels tight to me.
If that's not it, check first with the wheels on the ground. Get a long pry bar and place it between the lower control arm and the steering knuckle (watch out for the rubber boot, you don't want to pierce it). Wiggle up and down. There should be NO movement of parts, or at the worst, very, very, did I say very? little... Repeat for the other 3 control arms.
Next, jack up one front wheel with the steering locked. Grab the wheel front and back and wiggle it. It helps to have help here. Either look at or have your helper look at the tie rods while doing this. There should be little to no movement between the tie rod and the steering knuckle or other connected parts. Repeat for the other side. Then repeat for the idler arm on the right side and the steering arm, on the steering box. None of the front end parts should move on their own, it should all move in concert, or not move at all.
It's also a good idea to check for wheel bearing play while doing this. You should not see the wheel moving more than the other parts while wiggling it back and forth. If you do, stop driving immediately and change or re-pack your wheel bearings. RipperServing NYC/LI 347-303-7403 | | | Re: Steering loose | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,695 veteran | veteran Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,695 | Also... If everything checks out good, you could need a steering box adjustment. Leave that to a pro.
It could also be worn shocks, low air pressure in any of the tires or even worn springs, bushings or your seat bolts could be loose (yeah, trust me, it feels like the steering is loose).
If you have a high top, it could be wind buffeting too. A high top is like a big sail to the wind.... RipperServing NYC/LI 347-303-7403 | | | Re: Steering loose | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 251 enthusiast | enthusiast Joined: May 2012 Posts: 251 | I can appreciate this as mines felt the same. easy visual check is the sway arm bushings, mines were done and replacments helped A LOT.
1994 5.7l Chevy G30 LWB & 2001 Landrover Defender 90 Truck Cab | | | Re: Steering loose | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 969 Likes: 1 old hand | old hand Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 969 Likes: 1 | Another deal to add to my list, replace the entire front end. As ripper said check everything out. Hopefully its nothing major.
Gone vannin' I'll call you later.
| | | Re: Steering loose | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 559 | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 559 | Is the steering column loose or it just wonder's on the road... Worn tires, under inflated tires tires, new fighting old, alignment... all of these can cause a "loose" steering wheel feeling.. Do you have a steering stabilizers ... they do help http://www.monroe.com/en-US/catalog/e-Catalog
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB | | | Re: Steering loose | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 118 member | member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 118 | I've been thinking about adding a steering stabilizer to my van.
Is there one on each side? Hard to tell from the pic.
81 G10 shorty - Nothings Perfect.
| | | Re: Steering loose | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 118 member | member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 118 | Forgot to say have the steering box checked. I rebuilt the front end a few years back, replacing all the bushings,ball joints,tie rods,coil springs and shocks. It still wandered a little and had play in the wheel. Took the steering box out and had it rebuilt and replaced the rag joint. What a difference, no more play in the wheel. Drives like a new van.
Oh and I had them change the ratio in the box to the fastest ratio they had. The guy said they took out a little over 3/4 of a turn out of it.
81 G10 shorty - Nothings Perfect.
| | | Re: Steering loose | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 559 | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 559 |
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB | | |
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