lower steering shaft

[chieffullofbull]

howdy i got a tricky one and i'm over my head i've got some serious steering slop i've been thru tie rod ends my ball joints check out p steering is in ok shape for org to me it looks like the lower steering shaft it seems in imo the steering wheel has to travel to far befor the shaft catches my question is there a standard way to check shaft i'm pretty sure these shafts are splined can the splines break or wear out ok i'm rambling now i'd like to know for sure if this is the prob before i order a a new one there not cheap thanks in advance :blink: /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Bully Bob]

Huh..? :huh:

Move Str. wheel & shaft doesn't move (where it exits the housing bottom at firewall) then there's a "serious prob. at the Str. wheel..!

There should be a rag-joint/u-joint or both below the housing. Those should be nice & tight.

If you're refering to the junction at the steering box....that rarely has a prob. unless the torque bolt is left loose. This could destroy the splines....you would prob. feel/see that shifting/slipping, or both.

If that's tight, the prob. would be a sloppy steer. box.

Rule of thumb....don't buy a $#$%#^&%$@ thing 'til you're "sure"

B)

 

[chieffullofbull]

bully bob thinks for the fast reply ok my rag joint seems to be fine as in tight no missing pieces same for u joint my concern is the slip arm above the rag joint it has to slip in to its self or colapse now the prob is the upper portion toward the cab turnswith the steering wheel while the lower portion takes a sec now how much if any play should i have there @-)

 

[Bully Bob]

Oh yah, I forgot about the male/female colapsing portion.....(that keeps the shaft fr. becoming a "spear" in a frontal crash)

"0" would be the amount of play...they're usually two flat & two 1/2 round sides.

Good job spotting that..... that could be serious if left un-checked.

Interesting, never known those to fail..?

 

[chieffullofbull]

i'd say i have found the prob then i check it closer hey i see your from the vegas area had a few deliveries there i drove a semi for about 12 years stayed at the 76 in henderson first time i ever went out on my own they sent me to vegas went across hover dam with a 53 foot trailer bout crapped my britches had too pull over on the other side and walk around for a few legs got weak great country only place i have ever seen were its a 100 and you look up at the serria navada mts and theres snow blows my mind /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />