steering ideas??

[b34tgnu2]

I'm looking to update or upgrade my factory steering pieces on the Ty. Right now the steering wheel has alot of play in it before it actually reacts to what I'm doing. What pieces would you replace and with what parts aftermarket or stock replacement? I would like for it to be real responsive maybe car like nibble.

TIA

 

[Black Knight]

Re: steering ideas??

Unfortunately you're asking for something to be a level 10, when it was only designed to a level 7 at best.

The design on these trucks were never set up for great handling, so about all you can do is replace anything that's loose and call it a day (short of dropping a thousand plus dollars for a custom suspension). There's a handful of steering components on these trucks that are notorious for going bad, but you should have a good shop inspect the entire front end.

Expect to hear terms like idler, pitman, inner and outer tie rod ends, rag joint, these are all items that could be worn and causing loose steering issues. If you're mechanically inclined all can be fixed with patience and relative ease once properly diagnosed.

If the shop has any idea what they're doing expect to pay a bit because to get to most of these items you need to remove the lower heat exchanger and that is not in the normal scope of work when pricing these jobs out. If they're unaware they may only quote you a minimal install fee ($30-$40) run with it

 

[b34tgnu2]

Re: steering ideas??

Well suspension wise I'm looking to make changes later. Right now with the swaybars end links and new bilsteins it handles extremely well I feel. It is very flat in the corners of course it is lowered as well. Coilovers are the next step later on. I was wondering what the zq8 steering box is.. is this stock or upgrade and what will this do. I myself have built a few motors, rear ends and transmissions in my day so I feel capable of doing most anything on here. I was just curious to see what ppl have upgraded over stock and what parts should just be stock replacements for the best buck and return.

 

[Don W.]

Re: steering ideas??

Within the last year I've installed a rebuilt gear box, new pitman arm, idler arm, inner tie-rod ends. Previously I've re-bushed the a-arms and replaced ball joints. Finished off with a proper alignment. Truck is tight and handles well. (Not lowered.) Many have installed the ZQ box and that seems to work. I didn't do that. Also custom gear boxes are avail that would probably tighten things up a bit also. IMHO to do better would require a rack & pinion setup which a few have done. $$ and time required but hard to beat.

 

[b34tgnu2]

Re: steering ideas??

Is the ZQ8 gear box factory or what? If it's not what makes it better than the gear box that is on there from the factory?

 

[Black Knight]

Re: steering ideas??

Is the ZQ8 gear box factory or what? If it's not what makes it better than the gear box that is on there from the factory?

The ZQ8 is a steering box out of certain 2nd gen S-series trucks. It's supposed to have a tighter ratio, I've put two in and can't tell a difference from stock to ZQ8. :2cents:

 

[Static]

Re: steering ideas??

The design on these trucks were never set up for great handling, so about all you can do is replace anything that's loose and call it a day (short of dropping a thousand plus dollars for a custom suspension).

I did exactly this. Seems everything on my truck was good except for an idler arm and I replaced the sloppy rag joint with a Jeep steering shaft. This made my truck handle pretty good again. Later I found some badly worn front hubs, once replaced fixed some other issues.

 

[b34tgnu2]

Re: steering ideas??

The ZQ8 is a steering box out of certain 2nd gen S-series trucks. It's supposed to have a tighter ratio, I've put two in and can't tell a difference from stock to ZQ8. :2cents:

Cool thanks, how can i tell if my stock box needs changing?

 

[b34tgnu2]

Re: steering ideas??

I did exactly this. Seems everything on my truck was good except for an idler arm and I replaced the sloppy rag joint with a Jeep steering shaft. This made my truck handle pretty good again. Later I found some badly worn front hubs, once replaced fixed some other issues.

I found a forum post about a company called proforged that has supposedly beefed up replacement stock parts, think that might be the option to go for.

 

[Typhoon#747]

Re: steering ideas??

Use Moog for replacing the idler and pitman arms, ball joints, and tie rod ends. Install a firewall bearing from GM along with a Jeep steering shaft. All of these things help.

 

[Don W.]

Re: steering ideas??

What you might consider is going to a "real" brake shop. (Mine looks like it came out of museum with customer brake pieces laying on the floor and who knows what hanging on the wall along with their fishing pics. And the Formica on the counter is worn through. These guys are the real deal.:rotf Anyway, a legit shop should, for a fee of course, put the truck on the rack and tell you exactly what's loose and what's not. Then you'll have a starting place.

 

[b34tgnu2]

Re: steering ideas??

Alright guys Thanks for the tips!

 

[fivetodrive]

Re: steering ideas??

One other tip is to replace the bearing/bushing in the end of the steering column. That is another place where there is play. I will try to find the link...

I also have steering shafts (Jeep and re-clocked Astro) that eliminate the rag joint. PM me if interested.

 

[Black Knight]

Re: steering ideas??

One other tip is to replace the bearing/bushing in the end of the steering column. That is another place where there is play. I will try to find the link...

I also have steering shafts (Jeep and re-clocked Astro) that eliminate the rag joint. PM me if interested.

I don't know how I've never seen this posted about before. If you find any threads, please post them (especially how-to) I'd be interested in reading them.

 

[JAY]

Re: steering ideas??

I replaced mine with the Jeep steering shaft. Best upgrade I ever did & wish it would've been the first. I've always wanted to change to the ZQ8 box but never had the time to tear the front end up.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: steering ideas??

The ZQ8 is a steering box out of certain 2nd gen S-series trucks. It's supposed to have a tighter ratio, I've put two in and can't tell a difference from stock to ZQ8. :2cents:

are you 100% certain they were ZQ8 boxes? Back in 2004 (or around there) I swapped my stock box out for a "YA" code box out of a late 80's G-body along with Renz's Shaft. It was a night and day difference going from 18-wheeler status to almost sportscar like responsiveness. I literally had to get used to driving it with the faster ratio. The YA code box is a 12.7:1 ratio, same as the box used in the ZQ8.

 

[fivetodrive]

Re: steering ideas??

The syclone steering box is better than the typhoons steering box . I bet that is why Roy didn't see much of a difference.

Maybe Dave knows the difference of the top of his head but I can't remember it. Gotta search...

 

[syclone809]

Re: steering ideas??

I don't know how I've never seen this posted about before. If you find any threads, please post them (especially how-to) I'd be interested in reading them.

http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58168&highlight=steering+column+bushing&page=4

 

[Black Knight]

Re: steering ideas??

are you 100% certain they were ZQ8 boxes? Back in 2004 (or around there) I swapped my stock box out for a "YA" code box out of a late 80's G-body along with Renz's Shaft. It was a night and day difference going from 18-wheeler status to almost sportscar like responsiveness. I literally had to get used to driving it with the faster ratio. The YA code box is a 12.7:1 ratio, same as the box used in the ZQ8.

I bought the box from Brian (spooldup) back when we started selling them, so I have no way to verify that it is indeed a ZQ8, other than trusting his word and hoping I didn't drop $150 on nothing.

Is there a code on it anywhere that I can check to verify?

http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58168&highlight=steering+column+bushing&page=4

Awh, yes, I remember that thread for some reason I was thinking it was something else entirely. Thank you sir!

 

[fivetodrive]

Re: steering ideas??

Thanks for finding it!

Figured Id add to this thread some reference pics of the new adapter and bushing. I didnt realize that the stock setup didnt actually have a bearing, but just an adapter. You can see the differences between the orig and new setup (size, rubber ring doesnt get reused). The new adapter has a larger inner diameter than the stocker, which is where the bearing comes into play to hold the shaft in place.

You have to push the bearing into the new adapter and the bearing does face AWAY from the firewall when installed, which I figured out really quickly when the adapter wouldnt go into the shaft housing the other way.

I havent had a chance to drive the truck yet, but the wheel does feel tighter than before. Very easy upgrade, took about 15 minutes total.