So for a good while now there has been some slack in my steering and while driving sometimes you can feel it shaking just a little. Today on the interstate I hit a bump at 70mph and my wheel shook so bad I seriously thought I was gonna lose control.

After pulling over and checking everything out I started back down the interstate and got off at the closest exit and back roaded 35miles home. Didn't have another issue the rest of the drive home.

Recently replaced over the past yr or so that has to do with steering....tr ends, panhard bushings, steering stabilizer, ps pump.

Am I looking at a bad steering box?

 

the connecting shaft can fail or begin to fail at the knuckle joint. have a look at that as well.

 

^
#12 on this rovers north diagram. Check it out
Also,might take a look at your *****. Doubt they would show that violently, but worth a look

 

The shaft seems fine. Having someone turn the steering wheel back and forth I can see the shaft twisting into the box with no tire movement. Is there another way to check it?

Maybe I'm mistaken but I just thought I had read before of a bad box causing death wobble. Obviously it's not like I want to change it and could never afford a new one, just want to make sure I check everything before I start spending money.

 

Did you try to adjust it?
Check that box is tight
Check out bottom of box lever/pitman, also

 

Pitman arm seems tight. I have thought about adjusting it a few times but have read some horror stories on over tightening and I always talk myself out of it. Anyone successfully adjusted their steering box?

 

Yep, I adjusted my steering box for the first time in 11 years and took up some (of aunt lily's) slack.

You need to start where Dusty mentioned #12, and work through all the steering system with someone working the steering wheel back and forth a few inches. Also a stethoscope is useful for this as you can hear where the 'clicking' is in the system.

Check the following:

• Steering box adjustment
• Drag link ball ends
• Track control link ball ends
• Upper and lower steering ball joints both sides
• Wheel bearings.

After 12-17 years these old trucks are entitled to have more slack than 'old aunt Lily's'. I have to admit there is nothing worse than a major fright with steering or brakes - bet that got your attention though.

In fact Madlands, you answered your own question in your opening post that you noticed the steering shaking for some time. Also get your wheels checked for balance afterwards as this often causes or accelerates steering wear or damage.

 

This may help Madlands

Disco 2 Steering box adjustment

My method is.

Jack the truck up by the axle so the front wheels are off floor. Best done in a garage on a flat floor and put axle stands under the axle. Check the Pitman arm for movement back and forth without the steering wheel moving. Undo the locknut on the top of the steering box by one turn. Whilst holding the locknut tighten the centre screw down until you feel resistance in the steering box (don't over tighten it) and then back off the center screw 1/8 of a turn and whilst holding the allen wrench tighten the locknut. Check the steering from lock to lock to ensure it has no 'tight' spots. Afterwards checkout all the ***** ends on the drag and track control arms and the upper and lower steering ***** both sides. Also checkout the wheel bearings for any slack. It is often easier to checkout the steering by unbolting the steering damper at one end first. Also check the steering damper bushes aren't worn along with the actual damping effect.

Other items to check:

Panhard rod bushes, Watts linkage bushes at the back and radius arm bushes at the front. They all affect steering performance.

The 'death wobble' is usually slack in the steering gear somewhere.

That's enough for your weekend Saturday playtime and it'll keep you busy and away from the housework chores

 

Thanks. I guess I'll give tightening it a try. Also my RTE front bumper I ordered has finally shipped and should be in next weekend so after that I'm hoping to have time to install my adjustable Panhard and go get everything aligned and tires re-balanced. Maybe if I lucky one of these things will be just what I need to fix it.

 

Merci! great info.