sloppy steering on 1980 d50

[1980 d50]

hey i have a 1980 d50 and the steering is sloppy and you have to the wheel alot to barly turn the tires it feels like, im not sure if thats just how they are of if i can adjust something to fix it

[pennyman1]

is it a manual box or power? There is an adjustment on the top - loosen the nut and turn the screw a little bit at a time until you get the slop out. Check the shafts coming out of the box to be sure that the slop is not from worn bearings in the box or bad front end parts.

[1980 d50]

It has a box thats really hard to get to lol

[pennyman1]

Geronimo is a 1980 and power at that, which makes it tougher. Get to it from under the fender instead of from on top. If you overadjust you can bind it easily.

[camoit]

You should first check the tie rod ends and the idler arm. With the engine off unlock the wheel and have some one rock the wheel. While there rocking the wheel look at the tie rod ends. They should move the spindles and all the other parts as one. If you see somthing moving before another part does then there is a problem. The tie rods , tie rod ends, spindles, pitman arm, and the idler arm should all move at the same time, speed and the same amount. Once you know the ends and idler arm are good then you can look at the box it's self.