Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) my greaseable steering bushing

[WOTURBO]

Today I decided that i was going to put a grease zerk in the steering column. The cold weather is make it a pain to steer until it warms up.



The tools:

#3 wire drill bit

1/4-28thread tap

1/4-28 zerk

drill bit ground down flat on the tip



I removed the column and drilled a hole in the steel housing and through the bushing. I stopped once I hit the inner shaft. I then switch over to the flat drill bit and drilled the hole out flat or until i thought it was cleaned out enough.





I ended up going to the angled fitting to reach it better. P. s. I will let everyone know if it helps out.

 

[WOTURBO]

The last 2 pics are of the column back in the truck. The job took 1-2 hours ( i think, did not pay attention to the clock. ) i had to use the 90. deg. Fitting because i did not mark the location of the booster bracket on the outside of the firewall. I just drilled the hole on top of the column.

 

[Matt42]

Has it helped? Was it worth doing?

 

[WOTURBO]

So far the steering is still tight in the morining, but not as bad as it was. Before i would really have to turn the wheel back to center with a little force, now it turns fine after the enigine bay warms just a litle. For the gain i got out of it i would sure do it agian. (my opinion though. ) it only took about 15-20 mins to get the column out. (5sp cloumn)

 

[LandShark]

Are you using synthetic fluid in the power steering pump? It made a huge difference for me when operating in cold weather.

 

[CTD12V]

Hey, thanks for posting the install notes and pics, WOTURBO.



I didn't realize that removing the column went that fast. I guess I'll have to try that if I ever start having problems with the shaft being stiff again. Hopefully my spray lube will keep working good like it has been . . .



CTD12V

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I thought if the bushing caused stiffish steering it needed to be pulled back out and reamed a bit to provide proper clearance. . . I need to do that to mine since it's too "sticky" for my tastes. I kinda wish I'd never done the bushing since it didn't have any effect on steering play, and I also realized it doesn't allow the steering shaft to give incase the sleeve portion of the intermediate shaft jams or binds, which I think is the reason for the rubber bushing in the first place.

 

[CTD12V]

Hey Vaughn,



This thread <https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/12-valve-engine-transmission-1994-1998/216120-steering-bushing-greasing.html> has another alternative too, in case you want to try it before doing the grease zerk.



I just noticed in WOTURBO's pictures that his steering column shaft looks somewhat different than mine on my '98--mine has no flange built in to the shaft. So in that case, spray lube may not work as well on that style as it did on mine.



CTD12V

 

[abranz]

I definately wish I would not have put the plastic bushing in. My steering is stiff to the point I thought something was wrong with the pump and gear. I replaced the pump and gear with no help. I plan on finding a used column and putting it in. I've emailed and called the bushing supplier without response which even makes this mod worse for me. I cannot believe how much time and money I've spent on the front end of this truck. I damn near traded it in a few months ago and most sane people would have. However I've put so much time and money into it I'm hoping to get a few more yrs of service out of it. Anthony

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I definately wish I would not have put the plastic bushing in. My steering is stiff to the point I thought something was wrong with the pump and gear. I replaced the pump and gear with no help. I plan on finding a used column and putting it in. I've emailed and called the bushing supplier without response which even makes this mod worse for me. I cannot believe how much time and money I've spent on the front end of this truck. I damn near traded it in a few months ago and most sane people would have. However I've put so much time and money into it I'm hoping to get a few more yrs of service out of it. Anthony

That should be an easy fix. Hone it out a little. Why did you go through the work of changing the pump & gear when you suspected it was the bushing?

 

[abranz]

I had excessive play in the gear and when I spoke with the power steering rebuilder he recommended changing the pump also due to its age and mileage. Tony

 

[BEmmert]

I did this mod to my pickup with the same result in stiffness that others have encountered. My fix was to drill a hole the length of the steering shaft in the bushing and put some grease in it. Relieved all the pressure and the wheel turns with much ease now. Did all of this while the column was in the pickup. Quick farmer fix type of thing.