Play in steering, but only when turned.

quickbiker · Post by **quickbiker** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 2:57 pm

OK, this is something I've always noticed on my truck, even since new, but never thought to ask anyone else and forget to check when with other's s10's. Anyhow, my truck still does it. When I turn my steering wheel to full lock, or even close to it, there is a good noticable play in the steering wheel, but when straight, is tight as can be. Now, when driving, I never notice this play, even when turning. The only way this play can be felt is when sitting still and the wheels are turned at full lock ether direction. Can someone try this and let me know? And of course, do this while the engine is running so the wheel can be turned easy.

Post by **HenryJ** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:06 pm

The worm gear in the steering box is designed with a crown. That is normal. That is why the free play for the scepter shaft must be adjusted with the wheel centered.

If you were to tighten the steering box with the wheels turned it would bind when it reaches center.

I believe the reason is so there can be very little slack in the steering when you are driving straight, and allow it to turn freely either way. With a load on the steering when you turn , normally you would not notice a little slack. Rock crawling it would be more noticeable.

quickbiker · Post by **quickbiker** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:10 pm

HenryJ wrote:The worm gear in the steering box is designed with a crown. That is normal. That is why the free play for the scepter shaft must be adjusted with the wheel centered.

If you were to tighten the steering box with the wheels turned it would bind when it reaches center.

Thanks Henry. I guess that's part of the "varible ratio", eh? Interesting. Hey, didn't you do that steering box conversion to regular ratio? How do you like that? I keep thinking about it, that it would be tighter, but then I kinda like the ratio at highway speeds.

Post by **HenryJ** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:20 pm

It really was not a huge difference. Our boxes are pretty quick when compared to the whole gamut of available boxes. Stock is 14:1 , the ZQ8 box is 12.7:1

ZQ8 steering gear box ( quick ratio )
I think I would agree with my statement in that thread...

HenryJ wrote:It is OK. I might even call the little difference, nice. I don't think it is something I would add to my most wanted mod list though.

It is most noticeable when making a 90º turn. The wheel does not need to turn quite as far as before.[/url]
It might be slightly "tighter", but probably not a huge difference.
Keep in mind that I also did the Power steering Pump Volume and Pressure Upgrades That too may have tweaked things a little.
On a whole the package works well. You wouldn't know the tire size was not stock. The reduced turning radius is noticeable, but you get used to it. They don't turn all that sharp stock anyway.