NEED Help, How to Adjust Steering Wheel Play?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by vadim2200, Apr 8, 2011.

  1. vadim2200

    vadim2200 Light Load Member

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    Nov 21, 2010
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    I need to adjust steering wheel play on my T2000, cummins ISX.
    I have about 4 in- 5 inch play that doesn't turn wheels at all and i need to fix it. I posted pictures of my steering box from different angles (top, side, bottom). I found 4 different bolts on the steering box but they all just drain power steering. I don't know what else to check, maybe i need rebuilt power steering box? Also, I don't have any problems with turning left or right its all nice and smooth other then play. Please Help, Thank you
    Here are pics
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/vadim2200/IMG_0006.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/vadim2200/IMG_0007.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/vadim2200/IMG_0008.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/vadim2200/IMG_0009.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/vadim2200/IMG_0010.jpg
    Thanks.
     
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  3. Prairie Boy

    Prairie Boy Road Train Member

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    Edmonton, AB
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    Possible adjustment of the box or else you need either a new or rebuilt one. I wouldn't druve it across the street with that much play in it.
     
  4. AUSSIE DAVE

    AUSSIE DAVE Road Train Member

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    make sure you 1st check both steering shaft uni joints, worn ones will cause a lot of play. they are heaps cheaper than a new box.
     
  5. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    Borispol, Ukraine
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    seems to me it is time to rebuild steering box....
     
    traderpats Thanks this.
  6. rjones56

    rjones56 Heavy Load Member

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    staunton va
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    Sounds like it may be more than steering.Check tie rod ends,drag link,steering u-joints also.Looks like the splined shaft and the pittman arm may be loose in a couple of pics.
    Not sure about other KW dealers but my local dealer "flatrates" alignment and repairs.Pretty good bargain and assurance that everythings okay.
    I wouldnt drive it without getting it fixed.The life you save may be your own.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2011
  7. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    Borispol, Ukraine
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    yeah, last year there was the accident with truck near Lugansk, steering rod end went out from linckage and truck lost controll. Fortunatly no big damage ore injury. Any way steering play may be dangerouse
     
  8. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Not exactly something you should be playing with , if there is that much play it needs repair.
     
  9. canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    Aug 6, 2010
    western pa
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    check on the inside of your frame--about center are of the box--if there is a hole thru the frame--check for a nut on the box--hmm maybe about 1/2 inch nut with a stud coming out of it-there should be a screw driver slot on top of stud

    ok so hold the screw tight and break the nut loose--back it up a couple of turns with out turning the stud-------turn the stud in until you feel it make contact-then back it up a bit and lock the nut down good and tight

    now try your steering-it should be a some tighter
    i am not 100 percent sure your box has the adjuster or not--just going to have to reach in and check

    and maybe check the pitman arm where it is splined onto the box---looks like you have some rust drippings there--which could indicate it being loose between the splines of arm and the box
     
  10. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I had a loose pitman arm cause about 4 or 5 inches of play in the steering wheel. Check that.. Grab the steering shaft and twist it. Look at where the pitman arm is on the shaft and look to see if there is any loose-ness there on the splines. because there shouldnt be... The bolt that tightens the pitman arm on the shaft needs tightening up if there is. If it has a self locking nut just go ahead and put a lock washer on there cause it'll lossen up again.... Check all the obvious stuff that you can visually see. Simply twisting the steering shaft with the hood up and visually seeing what happens to various components, tie rod ends, pitman arm etc can sometimes help find problems. I wouldn't try adjusting the steer box until I was sure it wasnt the simpler more common stuff. I know it's aggravating. Most any competant alignment shop can adjust the steering box or tell you what your problems are and what needs fixing. Your local T/A or Petro is not competant enough for this find a shop that specializes only in heavy duty truck frame and axle alignments...
     
  11. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    I tend to agree it is the steering box--but first I need to ask--how are your steer tires wearing? That is the first place I would look--others have posted about front end components that could cause this--so I won't repeat--but much of that will tell on your tire wear--so start there?
    Just my $.02
     
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