Steering box slop?

[jkern]

I have been noticing over the last 20k miles (truck has 87k on it now) or so that my truck doesn't quite steer nice and tight anymore; becoming more of a chore to drive. I had it in the shop doing normal service and noticed that i am able to turn the steering input shaft not quite a 1/4 turn before the output shaft moves at all. Obviously this appears to be the source of the slop/loose feel that seems to be getting slowly but progressively worse. I am aware of the pre-load adjustment on the boxes and the debate that goes along with that...but, will adjusting that a little tighter fix that much play in the gear-set? Might this also be related to the periodic lack of power steering at slow speeds, like in a parking lot? My old 99 did that as well...was hopeful that Chrysler fixed that problem in the 4th gen...guess not

 

[photowrite]

I'm picky about steering, like my trucks to drive very well, and my 2014 2500 is the best recirculating ball truck I've ever driven. That said, I only have 15k on it and who knows how it will perform with more miles.

My 1996 F-350 was looser, even new, and while I adjusted the steering gear preload it really only improved with a replacement box. Of course the steering gear is not the only wear point, but everything else on the chassis likely contributes a bit of slop too.