Checking stiff steering

[CTgreen]

The steering on my M37 takes significantly more steering effort to turn the wheels, compared to my WC56.

I have greased everything that can be greased. I checked the fluid in the steering box and it is clean and at sufficient level.

When I jack the front of the truck off the ground, and turn the wheels lock to lock, it has a little more resistance than I think it should have, but not extreme. There is about about 3 inches free play at the steering wheel before the linkage moves the wheels. When I grab the driver side tire, I can move it left-right, but only until the play is taken up. At that point, I can't use the tire to turn the steering wheel.

When I look at the shaft coming out of the steering box, it appears that there is about 3/16" end play in and out as I turn the steering wheel either way.

I really need to make the steering easier if I keep the truck....can't drive it with my elbow condition.

Thanks for any tips. Hal

[M37UK]

I had the same problem and it turned out the steering box was rusted to pieces inside.
I decided to install the power steering modification and have never looked back. I can steer my truck with 1 finger.

Search this forum for power steering and you will find all you need.

Cheers
Stu

[RMS]

are your balls still round? have they been squished or worn? try adjusting the draglink at full lock. you will get more play at center but it should be easier to steer. i recommend not adjusting the box as it will wear exponentially. how are your knuckles? dose the camber look right?

[CTgreen]

I looked inside the steering box through the fill hole as best as I could, and it does not look rusty, but I'll look closer. The wheel seems to turn easily before the wheels start turning.

What balls are you referring to, to check for roundness? The camber looks good.

When I turn the wheel all the way to one side or the other, instead of stopping abruptly, it feels like it gets tighter and binds at either side at the end of the range.

How would I go about checking the knuckles? One looks shiny, the other appears dark brown. Hal

[RMS]

What balls are you referring to, to check for roundness?

im talking about the 4 balls in the drag link

from your description:

The wheel seems to turn easily before the wheels start turning. When I turn the wheel all the way to one side or the other, instead of stopping abruptly, it feels like it gets tighter and binds at either side at the end of the range.

it sounds like your balls are worn.

How would I go about checking the knuckles?

the best way is to disassemble them lots of work but then you know. you said the camber looks right but i would still jack up the truck and put a big bar in the rim and lift up to check for free play and that the preload is still in the knuckle. its best do do it with a friend so you can rule out any wheel bearing play

[hbb]

It sounds like you may have steering gear issues.If you can not work the front wheels lock to lock by hand with the front wheels off the ground it is likely to be binding in the gear! That could be a good starting place to look. By disconnecting the steering gear too see if you can then move the front wheels lock to lock by hand, if so you know thats your problem. If the problem persists then remove one link at a time till you can get the lock to lock movement that you should have.
Good luck and post what you find.

hb