loose steering, traced to steering column

how would i go about researching that? Google "steering column" rebuild? I can buy the bearing for $30 and the shaft assembly for $250. Wonder what the labor would be, and if i only need the bearing OR the assembly but not both. I could possibly talk to one of the local big truck shops (non dealer) and convince them to do the repair... I could put in that junk ebay one myself easily. However to put in just the bearing or shaft assembly myself by disassembling my steering column without a youtube video, prior experience, or my brothers direct oversight makes me feel like i could be exploiting my steering system to a multitude of possible failures.

 

I think i'll take it in to get rebuilt but i have absolutely zero time to wait on them for parts. Any advice on which part(s?) to get, bearing or just the shaft or both?

 

you wont like this reply but i just dont want to spend several days, $500 in parts who knows how much in labor versus a quick weld or something I can do that would work just as well for the time being (until my brother gets some free time). After the labor costs and parts it might be cheaper to buy a brand new entire steering column from freightliner which totally defeats the purpose on trying to fix this on my own. I will give this repair about a $300 budget. Just 1 bearing and the assembly would cost $280 (need multiple bearings?). The used entire column would cost $250. new column costs $1200-$1500. End of the day this part is technically is not broken just worn... trying to determine all my options. Weld would cost $0.00 JB Weld $4. Again its not worn so bad to put it OOS, more of a preventative job here, and its annoying to not have immediate response from the wheel.

 

Not sure what parts to buy. 1 bearing? 3?

 

i'm not hauling ####, i'm at home working on my truck waiting on final paperwork to be finalized so i can run my truck with new lease. What just sit around and piss money while paying everyone else works on the truck? BRILLIANT....

Also had my brother finally come over to the house today, he said the steering columns splines where alittle loose but he felt a tighter gearbox would dramatically improve the minor slop. He said something about removing the gear box and turning a screw behind it to tighten the pitman arm. Anyone know anything about that? Any easier way other than removing the entire gear box? He also said they typically are worn out and you can turn the adjustment screw on older gear boxes, so it might be a waste of time.