Alright y'all. I'm beyond frustrated with the play in the steering. I've read every forum post I can, to figure it out but I still haven't gotten this 98 4x4 ls blazer to drive right. It always feels like it's hydroplaning. I have an entire new steering colum inbound, not that I think that's the problem. Les Schwab guys say everything checks out under the hood, but they feel the play in syeering too.

Im honestly going nuts. My last option is to say the red head box is bad too, but its the third one ive put in. (Junkyard, o reily reman, now red head). Preatone power steering g fluid used every time. Pump was replaced at one point, not by me though.

here's the list: from tires to steering wheel.
Brand new Cooper cobra radial t/a tires.
Sway bar bushing replaced
Shocks replaced.
every zert fitting greased.
Tie rod and bearings are in good condition (noplay)
Cv axles in good condition
idler arm replaced, pitman arm replaced (all torqued to spec)
Rough country steering stablizer added
red head steering gearbox
New upper and lower intermediate steering shaft.
Universal joint replace for rag joint
Steering colum opened and inspected for play. Inner steer rod through bolted to prevent play. (i know the safety concern, see "new column inbound" above)
tilt steering plastic washer replaced.
Alignment adjustment/check

ANY ideas at this point are honored... I'm about to drive this truck off a cliff despite my love for it.

 

I didn't see if you checked the control arm bushings or ball joints.

 

Knew I forgot something.

While stock, ball joints still in good shape.

I havent done a test on the control arms, as I assumed they where good. I'll put the calibrated eyeball (and pry bar) on it when the sun's up.

 

Could the torsion bars cause this symptom?

When I overload my halfton, the steering likes to drift. If someone has fooled with the torsion bars could this cause the front end to lift?

 

From what ive read, yes. Poor adjustment, out of level, or weak torsion could cause "drifty" steering. This is also an adjustment during the alignment this was identified and adjusted.

 

My lower ball joints are on the edge of being too worn. It'll be interesting to see if replacing them helps with a bit of looseness I have at highway speeds.

I also have new torsion bars in to install.

 

Upper control arm bushing look cracked and shrunk, not fully going from side to side. They can be shifted about a 1/4 inch from side to side and don't fully return to original position.

lowers are rock solid. Minor movent and full return to original position.

New bushings inbound.

 

Keep us posted!

 

Upper Control arms replaced.The problem persists.

At this point, I'm starting to think it's just the roads I'm driving on, cause the whole front end is new at this point!!! 😆 For 78k in milage this is crazy...

Could it be air in the power steering system? I've done all the shade tree mechanic ways of getting it out, but still get random groans when turning, before reaching the lock point.

 

Could there be an issue with the specifications being used for your alignment?

Could the alignment settings your shop used be too neutral and not set to help the truck track properly?