Sloppy Steering

[TURBO2]

Did you look at the steering system. With the car parked and someone shifting the wheel left and right a few degrees. Any play should be easy to see or feel.
The rag joint is only a problem if it's broken. A fresh one is as tight as any universal joint. I also do not like to omit the slip joint with these aftermarket shafts. When a body sitting on rubber bushings and the front left frame horn are wiggling around. Nothing in the steering box or column is ready to deal with length change.

Yes, I had my son move the steering wheel while I checked for play. It's one of the most confusing things I have ever seen. As soon as the wheel is moved, I can see the shaft and wheel start to move which seems like it would be perfect. I also checked the steering wheel itself for any play side to side, or up and down. Everything is new and seems to be adjusted correctly. I even went through and re-torqued all bolts including the steering box to frame. Nothing I do makes any difference, and I can't find anything else in the front end that could cause it, plus everything is brand new.
And as Chuck mentioned, my shaft has the slip joint built in also.

 

[jfsram]

Camber -1 to 2 degrees
Caster +5 degrees
Toe in: 1/16" total

Is this what you asked for or is this what it is?

What do you have for tires?


A slip joint is not the same as the D shaft that collapses in an accident.

 

[TURBO2]

Is this what you asked for or is this what it is?

What do you have for tires?


A slip joint is not the same as the D shaft that collapses in an accident.

What I asked for.
Firestone 225/55 ZR16
Steering shaft is similar to this one;
STEERING SHAFT 82 -87 EL CAMINO MONTE CARLO OLDS CUTLASS ASTRO VAN UPGRADE #2 | eBay

 

[broke]

Have you checked the rear control arm bushings and thrust angle?

 

[GNVYUS 1]

What front springs, stock?
Stock tire size, 215/65/15?

One possibility is what you're feeling is the cars springs are soft, high ride height and the small front tires aren't feeling like your hugging the road.

When I lowered the car and put 265/50/15 on the front the thing felt like it just hugged the road. I'll see now what new control arms and coil overs do but 2" drop springs and big tires really kept the car stable.

 

[TURBO2]

What front springs, stock?
Stock tire size, 215/65/15?

One possibility is what you're feeling is the cars springs are soft, high ride height and the small front tires aren't feeling like your hugging the road.

When I lowered the car and put 265/50/15 on the front the thing felt like it just hugged the road. I'll see now what new control arms and coil overs do but 2" drop springs and big tires really kept the car stable.

Stock springs, but they've been replaced.
Firestone 225/55 ZR16.

 

[TURBO2]

Have you checked the rear control arm bushings and thrust angle?

Why would rear control arms affect the steering?

 

[BEATAV8]

Why would rear control arms affect the steering?

If the rear axle is sloppy (loose bushings) it could move around and steer the car from the rear. Something more likely if there’s aftermarket stuff back there

 

[TURBO2]

If the rear axle is sloppy (loose bushings) it could move around and steer the car from the rear. Something more likely if there’s aftermarket stuff back there

It's still all stock in the back, just new springs and shocks.

 

[BEATAV8]

So my kid & I just swapped in a new steering gear on her wagon and it made all the difference in the world to cure the sloppy slop slop steering situation. Everything is brand new in the front end too. Before the swap we had a *New* remanufactured Cardone steering box. It was absolute slop maximus. The unit we installed is a 100% New New not remanufactured Lares steering box.

 

[TURBO2]

So my kid & I just swapped in a new steering gear on her wagon and it made all the difference in the world to cure the sloppy slop slop steering situation. Everything is brand new in the front end too. Before the swap we had a *New* remanufactured Cardone steering box. It was absolute slop maximus. The unit we installed is a 100% New New not remanufactured Lares steering box.

I'm pretty sure the one I had put in is a Cardone. Just what I need, buying more parts that are junk right out of the box.
Thanks for the update, after I get the engine nightmare fixed it looks like it's back to yet another steering box.

 

[BEATAV8]

I'm pretty sure the one I had put in is a Cardone. Just what I need, buying more parts that are junk right out of the box.
Thanks for the update, after I get the engine nightmare fixed it looks like it's back to yet another steering box.

Thought I’d save a few bucks with the re-man unit. Learned the hard way!