[ProteinDrinker]

Hey guys, Im a newbie Suzuki Sierra owner and when I bought the car the steering box did have a lot of play, as it was on its maximum adjustment already and was leaking from the seal I decided to buy a new one from India, upon installation the steering still has a ton of play, even with the adjustment dialed in, in this "deadzone" the steering shaft still rotates into the steering box but the pitman arm does not move.

Did I buy a dud steering box or could this be something else im missing?

[DesmondTheDrover]

Nah... Thats just non power steered cars in general id say. I wouldnt worry about it, My sierra's steering box also has lots of play. How much play we talking?

Some people upgrade the steering boxes to hydraulically assisted boxes from new suzuki jimnys or vitaras (g series jimny ones bolt in, vitaras need an adaptor). This takes out the play entirely, makes steering a bloody dream.

[Gwagensteve]

No, the box should have no play and have preload.

Did you confirm the preload was to spec before fitting the new box?

Also check the rag joint, universal joint at the base of the column in the engine bay and tie rod ends.

Steering should not have much if any “play”- I think the maximum in permitted play is 35mm at the steering wheel rim but I’d suggest that’s a lot. That’s not the same as some “float” around straight ahead which is a symptom of a leaf spring car with no panhard rod.

[ProteinDrinker]

Gwagensteve wrote:

No, the box should have no play and have preload.

Did you confirm the preload was to spec before fitting the new box?

Also check the rag joint, universal joint at the base of the column in the engine bay and tie rod ends.

Steering should not have much if any “play”- I think the maximum in permitted play is 35mm at the steering wheel rim but I’d suggest that’s a lot. That’s not the same as some “float” around straight ahead which is a symptom of a leaf spring car with no panhard rod.

I adjusted the new box's preload when it arrived as it had a little bit of wiggle at the pitman arm, I have checked the rag joint and it is still holding tight

I can watch the steering shaft rotate with the steering box when moving the steering wheel in this "loose" zone and from the engine bay it all looks as if its working as it should, but upon inspection under the car the pitman arm does not move in this deadzone, which leads me to believe the steering box is just a dud.

[ProteinDrinker]

I ended up buying another new steering box from England this time, and upon installation I am faced with the same dilemma.

Either I am the unluckiest person on the planet or there's something I am not seeing.

Both boxes work as normal out of the car, with just a tad bit of wiggle on the pitman arm,

I ended up pulling both boxes apart and attempting to identify why these boxes are giving me so much free play, the box from India: the worm gear bearing was completely dislodged and jammed at the shaft, put it back where it belonged and re-assembled the box and installed into the car, this time much less play in the box but there is still play present, I can only get it this close by turning the adjustment to its maximum (Bad).

With the box from England, I am genuinely at a loss, inspected all internals and everything seems in order.

I am completely perplexed on what could be causing this loose steering, the shaft from the steering wheel to the box is perfectly fine, perhaps I should replace my drag link and tie rods?