I posted about a week ago regarding some play I noticed in my steering. Kinda happened pretty quick. One minute no play, the next play.
I got a lot of suggestions and I'd like to thank you for contributing.

One particular caught my eye, as someone looked and looked and couldn't find any worn parts, it turned out to be the aluminum Female Spindle bracket that fits over the Male spindle on the steering box. The aluminum "teeth" were gone and the only thing holding it was the tightening bolt.

I looked at mine and Yup, mine was loose. #$%&

I went out bought $123 worth of parts, including new bolts, entire steering shaft and some dust covers.

Tore into it today, and to my surprise, the "teeth" were still in good shape. Interesting, becuase I could move the steering shaft back and forth from under neath the truck with my hand and feel the play in it.

I examined the teeth on the steering box and they were in good shape.

I ran a NEW bolt through the threads to clean them up a little and had a looksie and they looked fine. Put the steering shaft back on the steering box, put the new bolt in there, and tightened the Be-jesus out of it with a pipe on the end of the racket for added leverage.

(NOTE: the steering shaft can only fit on the steering box 1 way, so you don't have to worry about your steering wheel being ****-eyed)

PROBLEM solved.

I'm returning the $117.00 in parts to the dealership tomorrow.

The bolts can only be purchased in a 3 pack, so that is why they cost $6.


What to look for:
Put the front tires on ramp, Put the key in the ignition and to the "on" position (so the steering wheel doesn't LOCK when you turn the steering shaft) Find the steering box (real easy to find) Grab the steering shaft and see if you can move it back and forth. While you're doing this put a finger on the steering box spindle and see if you can feel the Steering shaft move and the steering box spindle NOT move.
If so, Grab the Aluminum (painted black) end and see if you can Lift UP on it. The steering shaft is collapsable, Mine lifted up about 1/2".

If yours is stripped clean of the threads, you'll need a new steering shaft. It comes as one piece and looks like a PITA to install. On end attached at the steering box, the other end attaches somewhere (past the firewall) and underneath the dash. Luckily I didn't have to mess with that.

SO it cost me $6 for 1 friggin bolt (I have 2 for sale) and took about 12-15 minutes. NO MORE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

So climb under there and take 2 minutes to see if that is your problem.

 

Nice to know-Ill check mine next time Im under there. Dont know about tightening it like you did though, Id hate to snap that bolt off in there-or worse yet, while youre driving. Please go back under there and loosen/retighten it, Ill sleep better at nites

 

how 'bout a picture?

 

will do.. but I' at "work" right now

 

I have the same problem, please email me as I would like to buy one of your spare bolts.

Thanks

 

1 bolt left

 

Great Post IM
now do you have any idea's on how to get the Brakes to stop


Tampa is that the biggest rip off or what
6.00 for like 6 mini doggy ice creams, meanwhile you can buy like a 24 pack
for 4 bucks for people (ya I got ripped off and bought it ONCE) hehehehe

 

sold, I will be needing it and you know why.
Peace,
Suavy

 

All sold out.... (actually given out)

I'll get some pictures up here tomorrow, detailing what it is, where it is, and if your spindle threads (not bolt threads) are stripped out, what you need to replace

 

you da man

 

Here are some pictures.

I thought You could order the end piece that has the universal joint. NOPE< you have to order the entire steering shaft which collapses into itself. The Steering box end would take 2 minutes to get it off, the other end? I have no idea, Climb under the dash and look

If you look at where the bolt goes through, there are a TON of threads, so I didn't ahve to worry about stripping the aluminum threads.

The BOLT I removed had stripped threads, but the threads on the end piece of the shaft was perfect. Go figure that one?

Also, there are a few pics of me lying on my back under the front bumper taking a picture looking UP, you can clearly see the bolt that came loose and I replaced with a new one.

 

 

In the above pic, you can see the teeth, compared to the flat parts, It only fits together one way. Steering wheel will be straight