I have some slop at the steering wheel - about 1" travel that doesn't turn the gearbox/intermediate shaft. When I grab the intermediate shaft in the motor compartment the steering wheel end will flop around a bit while the gearbox end seems nice and tight.

I'm thinking there's a worn out universal joint/flexible coupling somewhere up the shaft but can't see much thanks to the power brake booster. I do see the beginnings of a boot over the shaft but that's it. Can anyone tell me if I'm thinking along the right lines? I have a car to drive while I tear apart the truck but I'd rather not spend days chasing a wild goose if I can avoid it.

I have the Haynes manual for the truck but I have to admit it's extremely light on information/diagrams around the steering. Can't seem to find a diagram of the steering gear online either. Anyone know of one someplace?

Thanks!

 

I hit a wreckers to get a new bucket for the armrest storage and had a look at some low milage steering gear (engine gone - loads a room!). Seems every blazer at the three yards had the same amount of slop in the steering wheel itself - even the 60k kilometer wreck. I'm thinking maybe the high speed wander is something else.