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Steering loose
#623562 June 26th 2013 9:50 pm
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
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JnyQst Offline OP
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J
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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
JnyQst #623695 June 27th 2013 6:07 pm
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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.


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Re: Steering loose
Ripper #623696 June 27th 2013 6:10 pm
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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....


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Ripper

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Re: Steering loose
JnyQst #624807 July 03rd 2013 11:32 am
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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


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Re: Steering loose
JnyQst #624817 July 03rd 2013 12:01 pm
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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
JnyQst #624825 July 03rd 2013 12:26 pm
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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

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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
frscke1 #624940 July 04th 2013 10:44 am
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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
JnyQst #624947 July 04th 2013 11:03 am
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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
JnyQst #624992 July 04th 2013 3:38 pm
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Yes dual stabilizers....


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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