sloppy steering for the first 5*

[RamRod]

Hy guys!

I just installed new HD tie rods since mine were worn right out & then I also installed the steering rack brace and new bushings at the same time since I was going to need an alignment anyway. But after picking the T up from the shop that did the alignment, I notice that the sheering wheel is "loose" and "sloppy" for the first 5* your turn the wheel in either direction. I took a quick look and everything looks good and tight... I am going to the gf to turn the wheel side to side tonight while I crawl under to see if I can spot the issue...But before I thought I would see if you guys have an advise!

Some of the possible scenarios I have thought of..does this mean that:
my rack is worn out?
There could be an air bubble in the power steering fluid making the steering feel this way?
I installed something wrong?

Thanks guys!!

 

[sharkmobil]

what is the "steering rack brace" ?

 

[RamRod]

what is the "steering rack brace" ?

The OEM one is very weak and bends with off roading, so three manufactures have stepped up and offered their version of the fix for this issue.

There are many threads talking about the pro's and con's of each offering... I don't want to start that debate in this thread again so please do a search and refer to them for more details

Cheers!

 

[digglesworth]

You may have a little bit of air in the system since you pulled the rack and re-bled it. Maybe try and jack the front wheels up off the ground and turn the wheel lock to lock about 20 times with the truck not running... Keep an eye on your fluid level....

 

[4speedfunk]

Check the pinch bolt on the end of the steering shaft (where it bolts to the rack). Perhaps its loose or missing.

 

[RamRod]

Check the pinch bolt on the end of the steering shaft (where it bolts to the rack). Perhaps its loose or missing.

I copped a feel real quick last night and it looks and felt tight, but I think I am going to going under there for round two again tonight just to make sure!!!

 

[RamRod]

You may have a little bit of air in the system since you pulled the rack and re-bled it. Maybe try and jack the front wheels up off the ground and turn the wheel lock to lock about 20 times with the truck not running... Keep an eye on your fluid level....

I didn't bleed the system... that could be my problem... how do I go about bleeding it? or should I just lift up the front as you suggested??

 

[digglesworth]

That is how you bleed it. Turn the ignition to acc so the wheel doesn't lock. Lift the front wheels so they turn easier... Then turn the wheel back abd forth a bunch. You'll probably hear some bubbling or sucking noises coming from the reservoir. Keep an eye on the fluid level so you don't suck in air. That should get most of it out. If there's a tiny bit left, that's ok. Mine took a day or so to work itself out.

 

[atvspeed4]

I didn't bleed the system... that could be my problem... how do I go about bleeding it? or should I just lift up the front as you suggested??

...instructions!! Always need to bleed the system! Hopefully you didn't damage your pump driving around like that. If you have a handheld vacuum pump it makes quick work of it and much better job. I think 4speed explains it in another thread

 

[4speedfunk]

Yeah...hand bleeder works better than I ever imagined.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[alrock]

Doubt it happened this fast, but those two driver's side bolts that secure the rack have backed out on Reloader after a rack adjustment/replacement

 

[RamRod]

Check the pinch bolt on the end of the steering shaft (where it bolts to the rack). Perhaps its loose or missing.

I checked for an air lock last night but I guess I lucked out when adding the power steering fluid with the truck running because I didn't have one...
So I checked this bolt again to make sure it was on tight ( I had checked once already onMonday night, it seemed fine... But I guess it was not tight enough!!

The second time under I noticed (this time I had a flashlight) that the gap in the connector was bigger than it was when I first took it off... So I tried tightening it more... But it didn't budge... So I sniped the b!tch and managed to get a few extra turns on the bolt and nearly close the gap... Figured I would stop there and go for a rest drive.... Problem solved!

Thanks for your input guys!!!!


Sent from handheld smoke signal device