Curious as to what causes Slack in the Steering Wheel.

 

lots of things, play in tie rods, idler, pitman arm, bearings, under inflating tires, bad steering shaft, bad rag joint, or play in the gear box. good way to find out is have someone move the wheel back and forth a bit and lay under there and see if you can tell

 

I am having the same issue. after taking my blazer to what I thought was a good mechanic for a non steering related issue, now the steering is such that it's unsafe to drive. I have had a second mechanic look at it and drive it and he says I need a new Steering Box. but while looking on Rock Auto's website, I don't see a Steering Box, but I see a Steering Gear, are these the same item?

 

Look under steering, steering gear. It's the steering "box".

 

thank you. now i just need to figure out if it's 94' or a 95'

 

My 99 2wd has had on-center steering play (slop) since I drove it new off the lot; 'course now w/102,000 on the clock it's worse. Upper ball joints and idler arm replaced about 20,000 mi. ago, tie rods still tight as new, about to replace frt wheel bearings. Just Wondering if there's a tighter aftertmkt "box" available - anyone know? Thanks!

PS I realized how vague the Blazers steering is after acquiring (and driving alot) a 1972 MG, which @age 40 still steers tight as a go-kart, no rebuild necessary

 

I have now decided that I need a new Steering Gear...the only problem I'm having now, is that the one I'm looking at on Rock Auto's website also says "RWD" on it. My 95 blazer is "4WD" should I get THAT gear or is there a difference? I want to get the right one so my mechanic can finally get my truck back on the road

 

make sure you get a 4x4 box if your truck is 4x4 the 2wd box is different

 

I did thank you i called RockAuto direct this afternoon.