My power steering pully lock up a few months ago and I had to take it off. Since then I have lost the pulley and my steering has gotten looser and looser (more play). It has gotten to about an inch or two in each direction. Is it a coincidence or is the lack of power steering causing this problem?

 

My guess is the steering box but it's hard to tell from here.

Just have someone turn the wheel back and forth and look at the steering components and see where it looks loose. Could be a number of things.

 

lots of factors can lead to loose steering.

the box could be worn, balljoints, idler arm? ...

dunno you just have to feel for it then get under there and have someone move the wheel so you can see what moves and what isnt.

 

At what point should I be worried? I know I need to replace my ball joints, but that is the only thing that I know is wrong.

 

Probably now while you can still drive. It's not going to get any better, apparently.

Jack the vehicle up and see how much play is in the ball joints. Then, see if anything else is loose. BJ's and idler arms go out more often than gear boxes.

 

Theres a slack adjuster (adjustment screw) on your power steering box. Sets the pre-load on the cross shaft and meshing ball nut. If all your steering linkage is servicable, this slack adjuster would be the end of the line. Also check PS fluid level.

 

I was thinking about this and while it is only a guess, possibly the lack of power steering is causing a lack of lubrication somewhere critical.

You can adjust the box and by doing so see if it is the source of play. If so, I'd get the power steering fixed. Well actually, I'd get it fixed either way just to have power steering again.

Frank