1986 Chevy steering issues

[Logan Davis]

So I've been trying to figure out why I had so much slop in the steering and then I noticed this (picture).....would this have anything to do with it??? In cAse you can tell the bar is bent, looks like the previous owners hit a big rock or stump

 

[Infamous1]

probly not!! get someone to rock the steering wheel back and fourth while you look & feel all the steering components you will see/feel the source of the loose play

scared to death!!!!!

 

[Blkvoodoo]

the drag link from the steering arm on the knuckle to the pitman arm on the steering box is real bad about wearing ( 2 different joints, and they are end specific, putting the wrong joint on the wrong end will leave the stud sloppy in the tapered seat) this will cause your wandering, as will worn ball joints in the knuckle/spindles. also check the wheel bearings, loose amd worn bearings will also wander.
The tie rod link being bent like that will cause a toe in condition and wear the hell out of your tires, could also cause some steering issues.

 

[transman731]

check the frame carefully, where the steering box mounts to the frame. they are famous for cracking, ord makes weld in and bolt in brackets to repair it.
http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm

off course you need to check the other components first but just warning you about the frame

 

[Croatan_Kid]

There's also the backlash adjuster on the steering box itself and the rag joint on the end of the steering shaft.

 

[Infamous1]

and still no smartass comments about the panhard chain??? you guys dissapoint me at times

 

[Croatan_Kid]

It just looped between the hangers

 

[GCncsuHD]

The bent bar itself wouldn't have anything to do with sloppy steering, it would cause the tires to be toed in, but that would be fixed up quickly by adjusting the tie rod.

Look at all of the areas mentioned above, if it's sloppy something is loose/worn/broken.

Look at tie rod ends, drag link, steering box, etc. It can also be that the frame where the box mounts is cracked and allowing it to flex. Another potential area is worn wheel bearings or worn out suspension bushings, but tie rod ends, steering box and drag link are the first places to check. Just have someone sit in the truck and rock the steering wheel back and forth, you should see where the play is while watching each joint.