I recently purchased an 87 1/2 ton 4x4. The steering has a great deal of play in it. I am curious where I should start to remedy my problem. I also have a serious leak in the steering box. Is there a seal where the shaft goes in? Thanks in advance Cody
There are many things that can cause steering play. What I would do is jack up the front of the truck so both wheels are in the air. Then have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth about a full turn. Look down there and inspect all of the steering linkage, start from the steering box, and follow that. It could be your pitman arm, idler arm, the joints that connect these, or the tie rods. Your ball joints could also be shot. this is likely since it is 4wd. Grab your front wheel and try to wiggle it. If there is exessive play the ball joints are probably shot. However, you could just need an alignment, but i highly doubt that.
If you want to properly check your ball joints make sure you lift your truck under the A-arms otherwise there will be too much pressure on the ball joints to see if there is any play in them at all. I would fix the steering box before doing anything else this way you can eliminate that right off the bat. Check your A-arm bushings while you are down there. this pic will show you how they are not supposed to look.
