Can't get rid of play in the steering

[Steppin Razor]

My k10 was loose as hell because the pitman arm was not tight enough. I had installed it to torque and ran it for a year.....slop. Local shop put some uga-duga's on it.....fixed immediately.

I will try that. I tightened it by hand, not impact.

 

[idahovette]

Schwab used to be top shelf. Since the old man left, it's not the same and the popcorn sucks.

Funny, BUT SO true!!!!!

 

[Edelbrock]

Schwab used to be top shelf. Since the old man left, it's not the same and the popcorn sucks.

Agreed, they used to be very good. Now all they want to do is scare people into spending top dollar for unneeded repairs. I know a lady that wanted a vehicle inspection. I checked it out and everything was fine. All she needed was new tires, as hers were very old and dry rotted. So she went to Les Schwab for tires, and they sold her a new battery and a complete brake job. They claimed that the brakes were so bad that they might "lock up" by themselves and cause an accident. The brakes were no where near the wear indicators, and the battery tested just fine when I checked it.

Les Schwab Tire Centers was acquired by Meritage Group in September 2020. The sale, finalized in November 2020, ended nearly seven decades of family ownership.

 

[Radiohead]

I came from the garages and fishing for work was common then, but the downright chicanery that passes for customer care these days is pathetic. I know we all have to eat, but filet mignon on every job? That's the kind of chit that gives us all a bad name. Especially when the technicians use the parts cannon approach to diagnostic procedures.

 

[Radiohead]

I will try that. I tightened it by hand, not impact.

No ugga dugga? Yikes, sir

 

[Steppin Razor]

No ugga dugga? Yikes, sir

I don't have one, so wrench and jackhandle breaker bar.

 

[sublimeobs]

Torque spec on that Pitman Arm nut is fairly high. I replaced mine and think it called for 185 ft-lbs.

 

[87chevy_com]

If you go to Les Schwab and ask them to tell you what is wrong with the steering - they will diagnose it for free in the hopes that you will pay them to fix it. Just ask for a repair quote, and it will list all the issues that they can find. The specialize in these types of diagnostics.

this type of action is what causes problems in the industry... if they diag correctly it because you can figure it out, have them fix it.... smh.......

if they don't fix it with their diag, hold them accountable. If you think you can bring a car somewhere and get a pinpoint diagnosis for free .. well.... share that link too im sure that business will close down soon too for all the freeloaders that will abuse the "service"

 

[Radiohead]

this type of action is what causes problems in the industry... if they diag correctly it because you can figure it out, have them fix it.... smh.......

if they don't fix it with their diag, hold them accountable. If you think you can bring a car somewhere and get a pinpoint diagnosis for free .. well.... share that link too im sure that business will close down soon too for all the freeloaders that will abuse the "service"

This is the other side of the coin. It's not really fair to ask for free services like that, I can't do free work for folks either. But the over the top upselling is ridiculous too.

So, have we found the definitive source yet? Something is moving around, it just hasn't made itself obvious

 

[Camar068]

As said, have someone sit in the truck and work the wheel back and forth, you'll see what moves. Lower balljoints/control arms or steering center link could be the culprit. Also, the frame horns on these trucks move ALOT. I rebuilt my entire front end when I bought my truck and still had some play. Had my dad move the wheel while I was underneath and the whole front crossmember (where the brake prop valve is) and front of the frame horns were twisting. '81-up went to a front crossmember with huge holes cut out for lightness, but it's much less stiff

Does anyone offer a beefier crossmember.....where the prop valve is? I'm not seeing it anywhere. I'm in if there is one.

Hell I'd like a a mini I beam across the sh|t and get done.

 

[legopnuematic]

Does anyone offer a beefier crossmember.....where the prop valve is? I'm not seeing it anywhere. I'm in if there is one.

Hell I'd like a a mini I beam across the sh|t and get done.

One from a 70s truck might be an "upgrade" as it's a solid piece, unlike the 81+ ones that have all those holes in them for weight reduction.

Not sure if it would actually make it stiffer/stronger or not

 

[Ricko1966]

this type of action is what causes problems in the industry... if they diag correctly it because you can figure it out, have them fix it.... smh.......

if they don't fix it with their diag, hold them accountable. If you think you can bring a car somewhere and get a pinpoint diagnosis for free .. well.... share that link too im sure that business will close down soon too for all the freeloaders that will abuse the "service"

Have you seen his post where all calls all us techs,scammers?

 

[rich weyand]

Minne was loose until I replaced the ball joints. Moog.