Loose Power Steering

willfxp · September 23, 2003

When I bought my truck (used), I noticed the steering was very loose. I thought it was just me not getting used to it coming from a car that only had 'power assist' (I think that's what they call it). I don't seem to stay in a lane very well, even at high speeds. I have to pay considerably more attention to how I drive (which is probably a good thing). I thought I would get used to it by now since it's been about three months. My sister drove it the other day and mentioned the same problem. So that makes me believe maybe there is a problem with it?

Can I adjust how much it power it assists with? Because it takes virtually no effort at all to steer. So every little bump in the road moves my arm and shakes the truck around. It might be the way it was designed. At higher speeds, it does a better job, but still could be stiffer.

Thanks!

Wingnut · September 23, 2003

Thats usually indicative of play in the idler arm or the pittman arm. But it could also be the tires. There are a few different things that could cause the "wandering".

How many miles are on it? Had it been driven on a lot of rough roads? What kind of shape are the tires in? What kind of tires are on it?

willfxp · September 23, 2003

I have about 66.5k miles on it. I bought it when it had 58k or so. I think it was a commercial truck originally from WI and now to CA (if I remember correctly which CarFax report..)

I've been off roading with it, and drive it probably harder than I should.

The front tires are new. They are Dunlop Rover AT's on all four.

I already knew about the handling the first day I test drove it. I just thought this was how it was supposed to be.

Wingnut · September 23, 2003

Is it lifted?

I know bias ply tires are really bad at going to the high spot on the road....But those Dunlops shouldn't be doing that.

I am still leaning towards the idler arm and/or pitman arm needing replaced. If you drive it hard, and drive it off road, you probably shouldn't replace them with OE parts. I would go with Moog, or something along those lines.

I put Moog Idler/Pitman arms on my 92 Blazer about 4 years ago, and that steering firmed right up, and has stayed true ever since. They were about twice the thickness of the stock stuff that came off. It was like driving a new truck when I got them on.

I seem to recall them costing around $170 bucks for both of them. (Doing it myself.) It's not really a brain buster to install them. But it's kind of a PITA without a picklefork on an air hammer. You should also have it aligned after replacing them.

If you still aren't sure, go get it looked at. Because it's hard enough to figure out what is wrong with your truck when it's right there....I certainly wouldn't take the word of some Wingnut on the internet thats never laid eyes on it, and go spending lots of money without a second opinion.

Shaners · September 23, 2003

I agree with wingnut that it is most likely a problem in the steering box or control arms. If I remember correctly, there was a TSB about an orafice or valve in the steering box that was known to go bad which created some undesirable handling characteristics.

Also, have you had the alignment checked lately?