Steering Too Tight, 97 Tahoe

[leboyd]

I replaced the steering gear box, pitman arm, idler arm, idler arm mount and tie rod ends.

 

This got rid of my three inches of free play, but the steering is tighter than I'd like. My understanding is that this can be adjusted by the nut on top of the steering gear box.

 

Before I begin messing with it I wanted to make sure that this was indeed true and wanted to know how much turning it affects the tightness. In other words does a little turning affect it a lot or should I expect to turn it several turns?

 

TIA

[dwhults]

I did this on my jeep. Do it only 1/8 of a turn at a time and take it for a spin. If its the same as my ZJ, loosening the nut will loosen the steering. 1/8 should make a different. You dont want it too loose or too tight as it will mess up the steering gear.

[georgecdisc]

I replaced the steering gear box, pitman arm, idler arm, idler arm mount and tie rod ends.

 

This got rid of my three inches of free play, but the steering is tighter than I'd like. My understanding is that this can be adjusted by the nut on top of the steering gear box.

 

Before I begin messing with it I wanted to make sure that this was indeed true and wanted to know how much turning it affects the tightness. In other words does a little turning affect it a lot or should I expect to turn it several turns?

 

TIA

Have you had an alignment done recently? If steering feels 'tight' it could be an issue with toe that is out of whack.

[dwhults]

^^^ True

[yv1650c]

Excuse me, but how many does it cost to you??

I always think the best feeling of the car is a good steering, if you have loose this, you feel like in a 30yr old car... jeje

[leboyd]

Have you had an alignment done recently? If steering feels 'tight' it could be an issue with toe that is out of whack.

 

Didn't mention it, but yes. That's the first thing I did after the replacement. Went straight to the alignment shop and hand it done.

 

It doesn't pull and the power required to turn the truck doesn't change from slight turns to full 90 deg dturns. It's just a bit tight. It looks like an 1/8 turn loose will be a good start because I'm not looking to loosen it much.

[Zembonez]

Have you had an alignment done recently? If steering feels 'tight' it could be an issue with toe that is out of whack.

 

Didn't mention it, but yes. That's the first thing I did after the replacement. Went straight to the alignment shop and hand it done.

 

It doesn't pull and the power required to turn the truck doesn't change from slight turns to full 90 deg dturns. It's just a bit tight. It looks like an 1/8 turn loose will be a good start because I'm not looking to loosen it much.

 

Steering box is set up too tight. Loosen the lock nut and back it off a few turns. Then screw it in by hand until it stops. Once it stops, back it off a quarter turn and tighten the nut. Go drive it and see if the problem is solved.