Hi there. Have a question; is it normal for there to be a little bit of play between the input and output shafts in a steering box? I have a 1993 4Runner with unacceptably loose steering and when I look at the steering box I can see that there is definitely some slack between the input and output shafts of the box. I've tried tightening the adjustment nut but all that seemed to do was add 'resistance' to the steering wheel. thanks!

 

Sorry if this posted in the wrong thread. There was a question box that popped up and I asked a question. It's not my fault, I swear!

 

Unacceptable loose steering?
What do you mean?, is it clunking, does the steering wheel have excessive play from left to right?
Did you also check oil level in steering box?

Did you check all your steering components, tie rods, sleeves, center link PS pump and hoses and so on?
If your now getting more resistance after messing with the adjustment of the box, then you probably adjusted it wrong (too tight)
It sounds like it's binding now. adjusting a steering box requires small increments each time and re-checking to make sure it's not binding.

 

Like Ksti said, check your steering components first. Idler arm, pitman arm, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, ball joints. There is supposed to be some play in the steering box, but you could have someone wiggle the steering wheel and check to see if there is play in the output shaft, like moving side to side before it rotates. you should give some more information because there is a fine line between "play in the steering" and "my truck wanders all over the road".

 

It's excessive play. not very bad, but it doesn't drive straight any more and I'm worried something might break if I'm out on a trail.

That's just what I did; I had my brother slowly turn the steering wheel left to right while I watched the shafts in the steering box and it seems like all the play in the steering is coming from right between the input and output shafts of the steering box. It wasn't always this bad. I do have to top off my power steering fluid about once a month at the most. I'm not sure how to check the fluid level inside the steering box. I'm just wondering if there's a steering gear or something inside the box that I can easily replace, or if I'm better off just buying a new box.

 

There is definitely play between the input and output shafts, I just wish I could show you just how much.

 

 

a red 4runer, that avatar is creepy.

 

when you say "It's excessive play. not very bad, but it doesn't drive straight any more" I'm not convinced you have excessive play in your steering box. As an alignment tech for many years I had to learn to read between the lines and the only explanation that would lead me to look at the steering box would be "I move the steering wheel a long way before anything happens" and I would still check all of the joints in the front end first. You could also look at the steering column for any slop, I can't remember if there is a slip joint, u-joints or a rag joint on the shaft. If you over tighten the steering gear it will usually be the tightest at straight ahead and it will cause it to "cam over" kind of like "pop past" 12 o'clock and make you wander all over the road because your truck "will not drive straight". So, there must ALWAYS be a little bit of play in your steering box

 

^^^ Agree

Get a buddy and have him turn the steering wheel and video your rig to show us what your talking about.
"Excessiive play, not very bad" sounds kinda goofy.

 

Sorry for the slight delay
It doesn't klunk or make any noises but there's definitely noticeable sloppiness. It's not actually "unacceptable," I just wish it was nice and tight again. I haven't noticed any significant play anywhere else in the steering linkage except for a tie rod end which I replaced not too long ago. But there is definitely play in the steering box between the input and output shaft. I haven't checked the oil level in the box and I'm not really sure how (I though it was just power steering fluid), but when I loosened the lock nut on the adjuster a little bit of fluid did start to seep out.

Edit - Wow I just noticed the whole rest of the comments I didn't see before. I'll get a video going of what I'm talking about.

 

If you have power steering the fluid level is checked/maintained at the power steering pump reservoir, not at the steering box.

 

Yep, I know. I just thought the steering box fluid was part of the same system, but from what I'm hearing it sounds like it's not.

 

It is all part of the same system and it is filled by the power steering pump which is filled by the power steering reservoir, some vehicles that is attached to the pump some it is not.