So There's probably a few posts about this in the forum. But I just need to know quickly, my 97 1500 5.2 4x4 has probably about 3 inches of steering wheel play. It turns a lot before it actually starts turning the tires. Any common problems with these truck that cause that? Just wondering what it may be and then ways to fix it because driving anywhere straight, is an adventure.

Thanks for any input guys.

 

Start with the free/easy stuff. Check your steering box, if it is sloppy, there are adjustments you can do for free, to take up some of the slack. Also, jack up the front of the truck and inspect ALL of the steering system, starting at the base of the steering column, and working your way out to the wheels. Wheel bearings can also contribute to sloppy steering.

 

I second HeyYou. check the cheap stuff. For me it was my lower ball joints were giving me sloppy steering. Worldsuspension on ebay got all 4 ball joints pitman arm idler arm and inner outer tie rods for 110. get all the ball joints for like 40 bucks. Just need to rent the ball joint press (make sure you get a big one) Not tooooo ridiculous just time consuming

 

Unreal..... I like to have other people do my work for me too! LOL

 

+1 on zman, what do you think HeyYou is here for :P J/K

 

Alright, will do. And just the other day this started; when I turn the wheel while I'm moving, the steering wheel gets hard-easy-hard-easy ect, like the power steering pulses, but I don't understand why it would because I replaced the pump before this past winter, so less then a year. Oh and the power steering fluid is full.

P.S. thanks for the info, and zman, not always do I enjoy other people doing things for me, but like you sometimes its nice lol.

 

Ain't that the truth.