When I bought my Jimmy it needed a front end alignment bad. It pulled to the right. I guess the preowner changed some balljoints and tie-rod ends and never did the alignment.
So I had this done (it was way off) but now I am facing a different problem: I am unable to drive a straight line. The steering wheel has like 2-3 inches "play" to each side until it starts steering.
The truck won't go a straight line, as soon as there is a bump or something (we have lots in MB) it steers to the left or right, even though I have a firm grip on the steering wheel. It gets annoying on long trips to steer and counter-steer all the time. I am afraid a cop will pull me over soon to check whether I am drunk or not.
I guess the steering linkage or something is worn out. Does anybody have an idea or experienced the same problem? Is it a DIY job to replace whatever needs to be replaced or is that normal on any Blazer/Jimmy?

 

I am surprised that they did an alignment with the rest of the steering being in that poor of a condition. Most alignment shops guarantee their alignment so they make sure to inspect the whole system for signs of wear.

From the sounds of it, you have some tie-rod and/or pitman/idler arm problems.

 

Check your rear springs as well; I had this problem in an '88 and it turned out that the rear was sagging so much that it was throwing the whole steering off (the caster was so far out, the wheels were tipping side to side rather than turning). I'd thought I needed a new steering gearbox, but putting a new leaf in each spring cured the steering. I'd never have thought of this myself.

 

I have the exact same issue, i replaced the tie rod ends, centerlink, idler arm, and ball joints. no use. Figured i was running out of components so abandoned the shotgun/shop method and got underneath to check the rag joint, it seems fine but noticed that the steering shafts movements did not directly relate to pitman arm movement coming out of the steering gear box. I really think this is the issue, and i wonder if you have the same observation.

 

Well the rear is sagging about 1 to 2 inch, empty. Didn't know that could affect the steering... I kind of think it's not the ball joints because the guys that did the alignment should have pointed that out to me. I believe it has something to do with the steering shaft being worn out or so, but did not want to replace it right away because some cars have some more travel in the steering, some less. Did not want to exchange the whole thing and it turns out that it's supposed to be that way...

I guess the best way would be to jack the frontend up and sit someone in the car, steering, and another one holding the wheels and looking for movement?

 

I sorta have the same proble. I replaced the Idler arm. After replacing the Idler arm there was improvement, but there is still too much play. After viewing Mitchell's, It looks like there is an adjustment to the Gearbox that can be made.

 

I'm having the same problem sears said it was steering box..........how hard is that to replace?

 

sears told me it was my steering box too. little did they know it has a new one in it.

They pretty much tried to cover up their incompetence by trying to blame the red numbered spec sheet & loose steering on my "old worn out parts". another thing they didnt know is that every moving piece is brand new.

after i tore into the manager they "mystically" got my alignment right and no more steering problems (i also had loose steering even after a full front end rebuild).