my 2002 blazer has 120,000 miles on it and ive noticed about an inch or two of play in the steering wheel, nothing unsafe...yet, but inncoveinent for city driving and tight turns, how can i tighten it easily?

 

I have the same problem. Someone posted at an earlier time to tighten the adjusting screw on top of the steering box. The air filter has to be removed to access it. I did this and it helped some but the slop is still there and annoying.
If you tighten it too much the steering drags.

I really don't want to go for a new box.

 

Good Day! An 02 with 120K is due for a thorough suspension inspection. In my experience tightening the box is closing the gate after the goat is gone-please check your ball joints,idler & pitman arms,hub assemblies as well as the control arm bushings. There are other issues possible as well,but if you have a nice Blazer and if you want to keep it,especially if it's been in the Chicago area its whole life:you should rebuild the front end as needed!

 

Is there anyone on this forums that could bring up the tech sheets for the front end of the 2002 blazers so that we can get the right replacement parts to do a full restore on the front end?

 

I've been chasing this issue since I bought my Jimmy about 5 years ago. After replacing ball joints, tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm, and control arm bushings I still had play in the steering. Turns out the "rag" joint that connects the intermediate steering shaft to the gearbox was bad.

With the vehicle on the ground, watch the rag joint with someone moving the wheel slowly left and right (doesn't take much movement, the wheels might not even turn). If you can see the intermediate shaft start to spin before the shaft coming out of the gearbox, the rag joint is probably the culprit.

I replaced the whole intermediate shaft with one out of a 1998 Cherokee that was trimmed down a bit to keep the collapsed length correct. Fit right in, and uses a U-joint instead of the rag joint.

Hope that helps! Wish I would've checked it before re-doing the entire front end, but at least I don't have to worry about it!

 

great thank you, and about that front end schematic that blazerman suggested, it would be really helpful, im sorta new to replacing the entire front end and some visuals would never hurt

 

Also you could replace the rag joint with this
Flaming River FR1746DD Billet Universal Joint S10 Blazer ZR2

 

i am having an issue with the steering wheel play too the guy i bought it from had a few of the suspension parts replaced in the front. i already plan on replacing the ball joint on both sides and checking the pitman/idler arms. i will check the rag joint as well thanks for the tip