We got a question from a customer that prompted us to think about the process needed to determine if your steering box REALLY needed a rebuild, or if the problem was somewhere else. So in response to this question, we thought that we would pass along this answer to help you determine what was wrong with your steering.
Remember that "steering" is not one part, but a collection of parts that work together as a SYSTEM to enable you to control your car. Sometimes a single part failure can cause an issue, sometimes it is a series of small failures that when combined cause the problems that you are experiencing. "Guessing" is not an appropriate way to solve these issues, so we thought that we would provide sort of a "checklist" to help you diagnose your car.
So here was the question...
Before I jump in and decide that the 2 ½” of free play in my steering wheel (and a car that wants to ‘wander’) is a steering box problem versus another problem, I want to ask for some help and input. How do I determine if the problem is in the steering box and not elsewhere? BTW – I know that my steering box leaks – when I bought the car, I found a shop rag jammed between the box and the frame to absorb the leak! Anyway, leaking and a total rebuild are two different things.
So here is our reply...
- Jack the front of the car and support at each end with jack stands (Safety First!)
- Grab each front wheel at 12 and 6 and feel for free play. Do the same at 3 and 9. There should be no free play in the wheel at either position. If there is, then the likely culprits are a) wheel bearings or 2) king pins.
- If there is movement, next look at the spindle as you move the wheel up and down/side to side. If the spindle does not move with the wheel, then suspect wheel bearings. If it moves with the wheel, then suspect king pins.
- If all is well at the wheel, go to the various ball joints at the tie rod and drag link. Look for movement there. If there is movement, I suggest that you check that the adjustment on the ends is tight enough. The ball in the joint also has a tendency to get out-of-round over time, which can cause looseness in the steering. Visual inspection can verify good or bad. Put it all back together and grease them properly.
- If all is well at this point, then it is time to check front end alignment. The front wheels should have toe-in of 3/32” to 1/16”. If the wheels are toe-out, wandering will occur as each wheel fights for dominance. Here is a great Paul Shinn video on alignment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdNb-NU9vf0. The Toe-In Alignment Tool is available on Amazon by doing a search for Toe In Alignment Gauge.