Everything is new within 2 years besides the pitman arm on the steering box. I held the steering wheel with the wheels just off the ground and had my father move the wheels left to right they move damn near 2 3inches and that's with the steering wheel held. Should the wheels move while holding the steering wheel straight makes no sense to me. And I have vibration up front but not really in the steering wheel but you can really feel it in the flood cup holds all that. Any help so I don't spend 300 in parts for a steering box I don't really need would help.

 

whats your vehicle first? that will help. I will go ahead and mention if you do have to replace the steering box. Go with a red head. I used one on my old z71 along with all new components drove like brand damn new for a high mile truck. enough of my crap lets figure yours out

 

Sorry about that it's nbs 1999 1500 4.8 4x4 short bed. Holying the steering wheel lock and with hands on. The wheels move left to right a real good amount, and there's a type of knock near the gear box but no obvious cuts breaks spaces in the pitman arm but I have not changed it and can say it's stock.

 

1: replace steering intermediate shaft with gen 3 version and new plastic bushing.
2: properly adjust gear box.


Most adjust the gear box gear pre load. This is wrong.
To properly adjust the gear box, you must remove it.
There is a adjustment coller that is on the input shaft of the box.
Use a needle bar stlye torque wrench tp properly adjust it. There are a few YT vids, how to.
The gear box lid preload adjustment comes after the coller adjustent.

do this and a full fluid change and you will have no more slop.

 

So I don't really feel slop in the steering wheel but hell how would u know since it's been doing this for the 3 yts I've owned her. Never really felt the vibrations in the front cause the back was always bouncing so much. But I fixed that last week and now I feel it and it's a Lil ify cause I have to drive.back home next week 9 hrs and don't want to kill new 20s if I just replace the box or adjust I could be driving straight in no time? I still got her on jack stands and I was just going to mark the adjustor and see if the play goes away. The left and right play at the wheels would make you think you had a wheel coming off.

 

So u just went out and did the simple adjustment. The clunk I hear is at the gear box and pitman arm the arm is not loose and doesn't show play when turn the wheels. Like when checking upper and lower balljoints and tie rod play. I grab the tire and shake the tire. That's when I hear the noise when shaking left to right and when holding the steering wheel should you be able to move the tire a lot? I imagine the noise is play in the gear box from the gears being worn out and if so is there anything else I need to replace this while in there?

 

So it's better. The allen head adjustment screw is almost 180 degree from stock location. Tightened back and was worried about that much but it's working but noise is still there. As I drove at low speed turning back and forth you hear the knock clunk noise, I see on other forum's they say ISS is the cause of this. So I guess ISS and not gear box and pitman arm. Not saying I'm made of money but if it hasn't been replaced. Oh I'm an idiot too....I just did a 3inch body lift and never put in a steering shaft spacer cause i still could get the bolt in with a bit smaller grade 8 bolt...my on my I'm sorry I didn't mention this. Might be the issue all together. Grrrr

 

yup. hence why I posted, Replace it.