I can turn the steering wheel about 4 inches in either direction before it actuall y turns the wheels, its more noticeable in the highway because the truck moves all over the road till i move it to the left or to try right to try and keep it straight. I would like some sort of picture showing me the adjustments that I will need to make and an explanation of how to make them.
Any help would be much appreciated...

 

My '91 has an adjustable steering box. It's located on the driver's side of the engine and is slightly to the right of the bottom of the radiator. The box has an adjustable core that protrudes from the top and is held down by a nut; 5/8ths or there abouts. Loosen the nut and turn the core clockwise with a flat tipped screwdriver. My truck needed adjustment after I went to bigger tires, I ended up giving it one full turn. But I would suggest going slow. Make an adjustment, drive it, and then adjust some more if needed. You want it to be tight but not so tight that the steering wheel doesn't bring itself back to center after you make a turn.

Also, what is your fluid level like? Any leaks? Does the pump make a whining noise when you turn?

If this kind of play in the steering happened suddenly you might want to make sure all of the parts are functioning correctly before you make an adjustment.

 

This is a replacement motor with all accesories so th epump has 60k on it. New fluid, no leaks. I feels like its more than the power steering box but dont know too much of these systems, so I'm checking one thing at a time.

 

Check your steering linkage FIRST before you screw around with the box. BTW If you get the box adjustment wrong you will trash it.

 

Start by having an assistant move the steering wheel as far back & forth as possible WITHOUT moving the front wheels. You open the hood & crawl around under the truck finding where the motion stops. That's where the fault is.

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Is it 2- or 4WD?



Also check the intermediate steering shaft (rag joint), wheel bearings, & lug nuts.

 

i just replaced a power steering on saturday. i had the same problem you did. we jacked the truck up and took off the passenger side tire, took steering linkage off, took the fender out, and then took the steering box out and swapped the other in. cleared problem up

 

I adjusted the screw on the steering box, feels much better now. I jacked up the truck from the frame and moved the steering by holding the tire and moving it, to check for spack and bingo!, there is a about 1/8 of an inch of play but its at the column...is ther adjustment up there?

other than that, I just ordered a steering stabilizer for my truck..