02 Suburban Steering Slop

[JPVortex]

Hi yall, talking about my 02 suburban 1500 with a 5.3 in this post.

Just this week I finished installing all new front suspension and steering components. Took her in for an alignment, and the steering wheel isn’t centered at all, kind of wants to go all over and also there is STILL slop in the steering wheel.

turning the steering wheel and looking under the hood at where the steering shaft and steering box meets up, you can clearly see all the slop is from the input shaft of the steering box. So I’m thinking about replacing it now. I already tried adjusting it a little bit, made no difference at all. I have posted the link to the video of the gear box below and attached a picture of the post alignment specs.

So question is, what somewhat affordable steering box would y’all recommend? Rockauto has a reman Lares unit, but not sure if they’re garbage or not. Thanks!

Video:

 

[Fless]

There is some limited adjustment for the steering gear, and I was able to adjust most of the slop out of mine. There were some threads on here about that a long time ago, so you might search for them.

 

[JPVortex]

There is some limited adjustment for the steering gear, and I was able to adjust most of the slop out of mine. There were some threads on here about that a long time ago, so you might search for them.

Yeah I’ve done that before, do you mean just twisting on the Allen key on top in 1/8-1/4 turn at a time until the slop is removed? Never really had good luck with that adjustment.

 

[Fless]

Yes. Mine worked to a point, but then no improvement so I backed it off.

 

[wjburken]

When I researched steering boxes for my son’s 2002 2500HD, the conclusion I came to was it was a cràp shoot with any of the options so I went with a reman Duralast and after having to adjust it to remove the play in it, it’s been working fine so far.

 

[JPVortex]

Yes. Mine worked to a point, but then no improvement so I backed it off.

Ok I’ll give it a shot again with another adjustment. Thanks for the input!

 

[JPVortex]

When I researched steering boxes for my son’s 2002 2500HD, the conclusion I came to was it was a cràp shoot with any of the options so I went with a reman Duralast and after having to adjust it to remove the play in it, it’s been working fine so far.

Yeah it for sure does seem that way! Lot of these reman ones are junk. Seems like it’s just a gamble, you buy one and hope it’s not god awful.

 

[Fless]

IIRC I turned mine at least a full turn, but by small increments.

 

[JPVortex]

IIRC I turned mine at least a full turn, but by small increments.

I think I’ve done mine about half a turn? Definitely going to crank it a bit more and see how it does, of course making sure it still return to center. Can’t tell if it’s binding just by sitting there, because when I turn the wheel while still after about half a steering wheel turn it get super tight like there’s no power steering. Think pump might be getting weak, it’s fine once the engine has some rpm.

 

[Fless]

I think I’ve done mine about half a turn? Definitely going to crank it a bit more and see how it does, of course making sure it still return to center. Can’t tell if it’s binding just by sitting there, because when I turn the wheel while still after about half a steering wheel turn it get super tight like there’s no power steering. Think pump might be getting weak, it’s fine once the engine has some rpm.

Interesting. I had a noisy pump (hydroboost) and my mechanic replaced it along with a NAPA rebuilt steering gearbox. About a year after that was when I adjusted it.

 

[JPVortex]

Interesting. I had a noisy pump (hydroboost) and my mechanic replaced it along with a NAPA rebuilt steering gearbox. About a year after that was when I adjusted it.

Yeah it’s very weird, mines not hydroboost though. But update, tried adjusting, turned it about a turn and it made no difference in the play at all, and actually caused it to start binding while I was driving and stopped properly returning to center so I backed it off like 3/4 of a turn. Seems I may be looking for a gear box sooner or later.

 

[JPVortex]

It’s just very annoying, because of the slop, my steering isn’t centered with the new alignment and I’m not sure it ever will be until I replace the gear box.

 

[JPVortex]

Honestly yall, I think my best and cheapest bet here, with being on a budget is bring tools to the junkyard and feel for play in all the steering wheels. Then I can snag a tight one and maybe it’ll even be a reman if I’m lucky.

 

[JPVortex]

Just a thought here, I’ve noticed in addition to the slop in the wheel, when I’m driving the steering feels so light, like a feather I swear. I looked, and sure enough, as an 02, it has an EVO system… probably going to buy the delete kit for that, as I don’t think it’s working properly. I will try a steering angle sensor recalibration first and see if that makes a difference.