Going straight down the road

[SAndreasen]

Is it only me that thinks steering the wheels without power assist feels like breaking the steering shaft?
I had to do that once or twice for other reasons and it needs all the force a 45 year old man can give, and I'm a blue collar.

You don’t steer the wheels you steer the wheel against resistance and rock it and you can see the parts move even brand new parts have a little movement

 

[SAndreasen]

Not just you, very hard on the steering shaft and very little force is applied to the steering linkage so pretty much a loose loose situation unless you are trying to look for steering shaft wear as Nick mentioned.

Still wrong

 

[AEdelheit]

Still wrong

Great! Then please explain in detail why as I asked for before, the problem is you cant as you clearly do not really understand what we are talking about and dont seem to have much real life experience doing so.

Your comment about brand new parts having a little movement tells me all I need to know about the type of parts and work you are used to.

Perhaps if you cant offer any useful advice and are dead set on wasteful one line comebacks its best you just don't comment at all......

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

I don't want to get into any debates here, but will add my 2 cents to try and help the next guy. I was under my truck a couple of different times with the engine off and my dad rocking the steering and I didn't see anything. I was positive something was loose so I repeated this with the engine running and voila, I was able to see a good amount of movement in the newish after market track bar at the frame. It looked tight as could be with the truck off.

HTH,
Dan

 

[petersonj]

@NIsaacs , @AEdelheit , and @ROADWARRIOR have clearly described how each method of testing gives the best results for the component / components being tested. Both of these tests best replicate forces placed upon all steering components in real life driving.

- John

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

I installed the bushing, I'm pretty sure Rock Solid Ram steering was the name. The stock one was shot and after installing new it did make a difference in feel, less play much tighter.

How difficult is this install?

 

[AEdelheit]

I don't want to get into any debates here, but will add my 2 cents to try and help the next guy. I was under my truck a couple of different times with the engine off and my dad rocking the steering and I didn't see anything. I was positive something was loose so I repeated this with the engine running and voila, I was able to see a good amount of movement in the newish after market track bar at the frame. It looked tight as could be with the truck off.

HTH,
Dan

Glad you found the problem, I have seen many people try it with the engine off and not spot the problem then spends thousands of dollars replacing or diagnosing only to later find the problem by looking at the front end with the engine running and power steering assist so I get rather annoyed when people give bad advise on forums then act like a 3 year old and refuse to explain said bad advice when called out.

 

[Regcabguy]

Rotating the steering wheel with the engine running so there is power steering will show alot more worn parts, with the engine off you would only see what is extremely worn, with the engine running you will see what is starting to wear but does not yet have extreme movement.

Engine on is the way Pablo Madrid and Joe Salas at NTG Racing checks steering components. They've been at it for a few decades.

 

[SAndreasen]

Great! Then please explain in detail why as I asked for before, the problem is you cant as you clearly do not really understand what we are talking about and dont seem to have much real life experience doing so.

Your comment about brand new parts having a little movement tells me all I need to know about the type of parts and work you are used to.

Perhaps if you cant offer any useful advice and are dead set on wasteful one line comebacks its best you just don't comment at all......

For someone who supposedly works on other peoples stuff you don’t know much

 

[SAndreasen]

Glad you found the problem, I have seen many people try it with the engine off and not spot the problem then spends thousands of dollars replacing or diagnosing only to later find the problem by looking at the front end with the engine running and power steering assist so I get rather annoyed when people give bad advise on forums then act like a 3 year old and refuse to explain said bad advice when called out.

If you can’t find it with the engine off you don’t know have any business working on anything period

 

[BigPapa]

That’s enough, fellows. Somebody lock this thread, PLEASE....

 

[SAndreasen]

I don't want to get into any debates here, but will add my 2 cents to try and help the next guy. I was under my truck a couple of different times with the engine off and my dad rocking the steering and I didn't see anything. I was positive something was loose so I repeated this with the engine running and voila, I was able to see a good amount of movement in the newish after market track bar at the frame. It looked tight as could be with the truck off.

HTH,
Dan

You could see it just as easy with the engine off if you do it right

 

[SAndreasen]

Not really sure why I’m arguing with a minute jockey but you can see everything move just fine with the engine off. You can even see the new parts move with the engine off but apparently he can’t see it without the engine running . It’s not hard to do .

 

[TDRAdmin4]

Locked.