Just watched your video. So here is my honest experience from 4 days ago. I have a 1995 Z71. Had lots of play....slop... Decided to just get the RedHead. $$$$. Got ACdelco pitman, idler and idler bracket. Took it to my shop in the morning, stopped by at lunch and the mechanic said everything is in, but.... there is still a little play, I asked what could it be? He said let's pull the Intermediate shaft , we did... And bam, there it was... a 1/2 inch of play in the rag joint, which translates to 2 inches at the wheel. Called around, found a brand new one by Dorman for $275.00. Trust me when I say, Night and day difference. Better then when it came from the factory. You just have to touch the steering wheel and the tires move. Mind you, I'm now into the steering for a $1000.00 bucks, 400 for the Redhead, 300 for the shaft, 150 for the AC Delco parts and labor. So there it was, combination of garbage reman steering box and bad intermediate shaft. Pull the shaft out and check it. If no play, then its the box, gonna have to get a Redhead or Bluetop. Hope this helps. And by the way, Redhead staff and service was excellent. Box arrived day before Christmas when it was supposed to be after New years. Got there return label and shipped the old one back for the 150 core charge.
For anyone not wanting to pay $275 for the intermediary shaft you can just replace the rag joint at the end of it for $30. Lares 205 - Steering Coupling Assembly
Welcome to the club. Replaced my rag joint, power steering pump, gear box and still have play. Only thing left is the upper shaft that goes into the firewall, but they don't make that for my truck anymore.
I have a 1994 chevy silverado and all suspension is new. I had a lot of play on my steering as well. I put a new steerinng box and like you it improved a litte but still has a little play
I recently bought a 97 Sierra with low miles, and it has the exact same feeling, i drive a awd nbs Sierra and its 100 times better feeling than the obs steering even though they’re the exact steering setup.
I went through 3 Napa boxes and 2 oem boxes before I cranked the preload on the box a tiny bit and it helped. I also did an jeep shaft on and it’s tight and was fine for years. Google the retrofit. Tac the slip joint on it and new shaft but it ditches the rag joint and uses u joints on both ends
I wish I was closer to you I’m stripping my obs 3500 in a few weeks and it’s all new and coming back off to be replaced with lowboy suspension and bags and because I have ocd the small stuff will all get replaced again while I’m in there. Doing a red head box this time because my choices were use a 1500 front stub and convert to a rack or keep it box and relay rods. I’m putting a duramax in it so I decided the weight and stress was going to trash the rack. I called them and they can set it all up to run with a higher pressure pump with the obs box.
@@TWAMotorsports when I did it I was gentle. Small amount at a time. I hope it will be. It’s been a long time coming. Had the truck 6 years and spent a ton keeping it going. Everything has been new a few times except the motor. After throwing the chain it’s never been good. Decided to take the plunge and buy a smashed Lbz truck with under 100k that is a great donor
I have 2 current obs trucks and have had over 20 in the past. As far as the trucks I've owned they've all been like that. From stock to lowered to bagged and bodied. 20k miles to 300k miles. All have a little play.
The square body "fix" is going with a Cherokee (late 80s/early 90s) steering intermediate shaft. Not sure if it'd work, but something to do away with the rag joint.
I had great success with the grand Cherokee shaft. Gm made the part for Jeep...crazy they didn’t put it on their own vehicle. I got mine new aftermarket about $75. No more slop. Has u joints on both ends and it’s collapsible about 2”. Too easy!
Look under the dash at the u joint of the intermediate shaft. Move the wheel just enough feel the slack. You may see a little wobble there. I replaced my intermediate shaft with the cheapo Rock Auto part. This fixed it for a few hundred miles, but the slack came back. CHEAP U JOINT CONSTRUCTION on these. Got a new BETTER part now. Waiting for a ward day to replace. Anyway. Just a thought.
there should be about 1/8 of a wheel play in the steering. this allows the valving in the gear box enough time to switch pressure from the left to the right
I have the same problem with my 89’ burban. Went thru 3 gear boxes from Advanced Auto and 1 gear box from NAPA. New suspension. , tires, and the Jeep shaft. Still have the same problem. I’m thinking about trying Red Head gear box.
I had an obs that had play I done the same changed everything but the problem remained until one day I checked my wheel bearings and they were loose I tighten them up and problem solved not saying that’s your problem but it’s worth a shot if you haven’t looked there.
I just love the obs steering.... not yea the only rack and pinion options so far is from elevated concepts but it's not a complete set its just brackets. I put a 454 ss steering gearbox in mine. But I'm still not impressed with mine. I thought about a blue top. Mine still has play and I've changed everything. There is a joint you can get to remove the rag joint. I think this is just the way they are. We have gotten so use to rack and pinion haha. I even tried a steering dampened shock
I had 95 1500 and 98 2500 obs the steering always was sloppy and the brakes sucked but I still drive a obs with the little problems it’s has. People got to used to the newer trucks because they are more like cars than a work horse like the obs is. I would start with a better steering box if The drag link Doesn’t have play and the other mod to do is a NBS Brake master cylinder for better feel. I see it all over TH-cam.
@@TWAMotorsports true I had a lifted 95 2wd on 33x12.50’s it had some play. The truck only had 32k on the clock I had that truck almost 10 years I just did the adjustment few times did not have any problems at all. A GM Instructor show me how to do the adjustment and give me the copy in the service manual to do the adjustment with the Beam style torque wrench. Be nice you could do a nbs steering setup lol because it’s a different animal and it’s still the old school Style gear box I could Never get that at all.
Guys, there is an Allen adjustment screw on top. Straighten your wheel, tighten it all the way, back it off a quarter, then tighten to your liking. If it binds, you're too tight
Cunningham machine came out with a new u joint shaft I just ordered mine cause I replaced my rag joint didn’t really help replaced several suspension parts , I heard AGR boxes are good but they are like $800.
Recently changed my steering gear box on my 00 Escalade 5.7 vortec the previous owner hit a nasty curb nd ruined the whole steering on it but managed to find one exactly the same at a junkyard and the steering improved like crazy but there’s still a tiny amount of play just like yours i honestly just think its a box problem even after tightening the wheel even more it always has play
@@TWAMotorsports Travis I would almost conclude that it's the steering rack and the steering box both to have the much play in steering wheel.. that is alot of play too you got in that truck..
@@TWAMotorsports good Saturday morning my friend. I'm up early cause A my cat keeps waking me up for his Saturday morning breakfast. B I have some new trans am parts I got for a Christmas gift from Santa haha... So even though it's like 40° in my garage I'm going to be turning wrenches for the first time in 2021 back on my 94 trans am. Have a great day buddy 👍🇺🇲
I have a 1991 Chevy 1500 an my steering is ruff. I’m trynna figure out what it can be I’m guessing the gear box but same time it looks like the whole pitman arm an gear box
Youll never get rid of sloppy steering with a steering box. The tight precision feeling everyone is after for the obs will only be fixed with rack and pinion.
@@TWAMotorsports lol I hear that, I just got my Silverado now I want a different one after 3 months. A little newer with a V8 but if I found a nice OBS shortbed I'd buy that right away. Im looking into North Carolina that's usually where I travel to find nice trucks or far into VA
Yoo I have that same problem with my 99 yukon and I changed the entire suspension control arms everything they gave me 2 reason lower steering shaft or the the entire steering
Man I was hoping that would fix it. My Tahoe has the same prob. New suspension/steering components same box though. A mechanic told me there is no fixing it. And I have yet to read anything on the internet about a solution
The box is used. It could have play already in it. At 90k . I think between the used box and a loose shaft that's were your getting the play at. But at 1800. That new rack might be the trick. But come on the life span of you owning the truck is short. I can already see taillights as its going down the road lol. Just play either way I hope you fix it. Love the channel keep it up brother.
I’m not sure what it is I have the same problem with mine I have a the gearbox off I’m going to send it in to have it rebuilt I have about 4 inches of play Tony other thing I could think of was may be in if the inside bearings are wobbling I haven’t checked out yet it seems to be right there where the steering mechanism connects to the gearbox maybe it’s just a design flaw of Chevrolet I don’t know I’m not a front end specialist my brother-in-law is but he won’t work on it so I haven’t been able to figure it out either
vimeo.com/165324708 Travis by watching your videos I think you can do a box. This video is a good one just make sure you get a box out salvage yard on 3rd gen Camaro or firebird the best one is iroc. 2 1/4 turn lock to lock but any 3rd gen has good spool valve which is what gives you the feel your looking for. You'll have better box than turn 1 or redhead.
Just so you don't think I'm pulling your chain here is a video of my truck I've since added a full ride tech coil over suspension system and a d1sc procharger to this truck. If you need more info just let me know on box th-cam.com/video/NjCjCOoCGxY/w-d-xo.html
I think I'm seeing the same slop on my steering gear that you are. I can rotate the steering shaft/spline and you barely see the grease fitting on the pitman arm move. This is my original steering gear on my 170K 1996 Yukon. I've been debating a new steering gear from Lee Powersteering, Redhead, or AGR. th-cam.com/video/YOGVslfxPko/w-d-xo.html
Just watched your video. So here is my honest experience from 4 days ago. I have a 1995 Z71. Had lots of play....slop... Decided to just get the RedHead. $$$$. Got ACdelco pitman, idler and idler bracket. Took it to my shop in the morning, stopped by at lunch and the mechanic said everything is in, but.... there is still a little play, I asked what could it be? He said let's pull the Intermediate shaft , we did... And bam, there it was... a 1/2 inch of play in the rag joint, which translates to 2 inches at the wheel. Called around, found a brand new one by Dorman for $275.00. Trust me when I say, Night and day difference. Better then when it came from the factory. You just have to touch the steering wheel and the tires move. Mind you, I'm now into the steering for a $1000.00 bucks, 400 for the Redhead, 300 for the shaft, 150 for the AC Delco parts and labor. So there it was, combination of garbage reman steering box and bad intermediate shaft. Pull the shaft out and check it. If no play, then its the box, gonna have to get a Redhead or Bluetop. Hope this helps. And by the way, Redhead staff and service was excellent. Box arrived day before Christmas when it was supposed to be after New years. Got there return label and shipped the old one back for the 150 core charge.
I think I will try the shaft next. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain your experience in depth
For anyone not wanting to pay $275 for the intermediary shaft you can just replace the rag joint at the end of it for $30. Lares 205 - Steering Coupling Assembly
Welcome to the club. Replaced my rag joint, power steering pump, gear box and still have play. Only thing left is the upper shaft that goes into the firewall, but they don't make that for my truck anymore.
Yeah that is what I'm afraid of
@@TWAMotorsports you can try tightening the gear box. Could help some of the slack
I think I am going to
which box did you go with? I've heard blue top boxes seems to fix the issue in gmt400 trucks from people that have used them.
I haven't yet
I have a 1994 chevy silverado and all suspension is new. I had a lot of play on my steering as well. I put a new steerinng box and like you it improved a litte but still has a little play
Yeah it is just a terrible design.
I recently bought a 97 Sierra with low miles, and it has the exact same feeling, i drive a awd nbs Sierra and its 100 times better feeling than the obs steering even though they’re the exact steering setup.
Isn't that crazy
I went through 3 Napa boxes and 2 oem boxes before I cranked the preload on the box a tiny bit and it helped. I also did an jeep shaft on and it’s tight and was fine for years. Google the retrofit. Tac the slip joint on it and new shaft but it ditches the rag joint and uses u joints on both ends
I wish I was closer to you I’m stripping my obs 3500 in a few weeks and it’s all new and coming back off to be replaced with lowboy suspension and bags and because I have ocd the small stuff will all get replaced again while I’m in there. Doing a red head box this time because my choices were use a 1500 front stub and convert to a rack or keep it box and relay rods. I’m putting a duramax in it so I decided the weight and stress was going to trash the rack. I called them and they can set it all up to run with a higher pressure pump with the obs box.
I'm going to try adjustment next.
That sounds like an awesome setup coming. Congratulations
@@TWAMotorsports when I did it I was gentle. Small amount at a time. I hope it will be. It’s been a long time coming. Had the truck 6 years and spent a ton keeping it going. Everything has been new a few times except the motor. After throwing the chain it’s never been good. Decided to take the plunge and buy a smashed Lbz truck with under 100k that is a great donor
Yeah that sounds like a cool project for sure
I have 2 current obs trucks and have had over 20 in the past. As far as the trucks I've owned they've all been like that. From stock to lowered to bagged and bodied. 20k miles to 300k miles. All have a little play.
Really. I have driven them without. Makes me crazy lol
The square body "fix" is going with a Cherokee (late 80s/early 90s) steering intermediate shaft. Not sure if it'd work, but something to do away with the rag joint.
That can be done on a 88-98 also
this is good to know
Pitman arm really cleaned up my 96 steering.
It had a new one on the old box and the other had zero play
Try a steering shaft from an early 90's Cherokee. Same splines and eliminates the rag joint.
I have heard that is a good swap
Definitely
I had great success with the grand Cherokee shaft. Gm made the part for Jeep...crazy they didn’t put it on their own vehicle.
I got mine new aftermarket about $75. No more slop. Has u joints on both ends and it’s collapsible about 2”. Too easy!
Eliminates rag joint. 93-98 grand Cherokee. Measure from gearbox shaft. Do not adjust gearbox whatever u do
@@lateferdinner1131 I have a similar option I just installed
Look under the dash at the u joint of the intermediate shaft. Move the wheel just enough feel the slack. You may see a little wobble there. I replaced my intermediate shaft with the cheapo Rock Auto part. This fixed it for a few hundred miles, but the slack came back. CHEAP U JOINT CONSTRUCTION on these. Got a new BETTER part now. Waiting for a ward day to replace.
Anyway. Just a thought.
Thank you. I will check into that
Elevated concepts makes a rack n pinion steering for that problem..
I'm not in love with that price
there should be about 1/8 of a wheel play in the steering. this allows the valving in the gear box enough time to switch pressure from the left to the right
This has about 2 inches. Lol
I have the same problem with my 89’ burban. Went thru 3 gear boxes from Advanced Auto and 1 gear box from NAPA. New suspension. , tires, and the Jeep shaft. Still have the same problem. I’m thinking about trying Red Head gear box.
Probably the best option out
I had an obs that had play I done the same changed everything but the problem remained until one day I checked my wheel bearings and they were loose I tighten them up and problem solved not saying that’s your problem but it’s worth a shot if you haven’t looked there.
It did the same with the truck off the ground so don't think that is the issue
I just love the obs steering.... not yea the only rack and pinion options so far is from elevated concepts but it's not a complete set its just brackets. I put a 454 ss steering gearbox in mine. But I'm still not impressed with mine. I thought about a blue top. Mine still has play and I've changed everything. There is a joint you can get to remove the rag joint. I think this is just the way they are. We have gotten so use to rack and pinion haha. I even tried a steering dampened shock
Yeah its frustrating. Mine has a new rag joint on it lol
@@TWAMotorsports yea mine 2 the only thing I haven't changed is the piece from actually steering wheel
Yeah I need an entire shaft
I had 95 1500 and 98 2500 obs the steering always was sloppy and the brakes sucked but I still drive a obs with the little problems it’s has. People got to used to the newer trucks because they are more like cars than a work horse like the obs is. I would start with a better steering box if The drag link Doesn’t have play and the other mod to do is a NBS Brake master cylinder for better feel. I see it all over TH-cam.
Brakes coming very soon. It shouldn't have this much play.
@@TWAMotorsports true I had a lifted 95 2wd on 33x12.50’s it had some play. The truck only had 32k on the clock I had that truck almost 10 years I just did the adjustment few times did not have any problems at all. A GM Instructor show me how to do the adjustment and give me the copy in the service manual to do the adjustment with the Beam style torque wrench. Be nice you could do a nbs steering setup lol because it’s a different animal and it’s still the old school Style gear box I could Never get that at all.
Yeah I think I might try to adjust it
The NBS master really works. I rebuilt all my brakes and threw that in, like a new truck.
It is a nice upgrade
Guys, there is an Allen adjustment screw on top. Straighten your wheel, tighten it all the way, back it off a quarter, then tighten to your liking. If it binds, you're too tight
Agree, replace box in 3,000 miles from adjustment date.
@TWA Motorsports huh? Not if it's correctly adjusted. They're saginaw box's, they have adjustment specs online
Never had luck wth adjustment. Generally wear is what causes the need for adjustment and then failure happens soon after
Cunningham machine came out with a new u joint shaft I just ordered mine cause I replaced my rag joint didn’t really help replaced several suspension parts , I heard AGR boxes are good but they are like $800.
I will check that out. Thank you
Recently changed my steering gear box on my 00 Escalade 5.7 vortec the previous owner hit a nasty curb nd ruined the whole steering on it but managed to find one exactly the same at a junkyard and the steering improved like crazy but there’s still a tiny amount of play just like yours i honestly just think its a box problem even after tightening the wheel even more it always has play
Isn't this annoying lol. Makes me crazy
Elevated concepts makes a rack n pinion kit for these trucks
For $1850
@@TWAMotorsports ya his prices are high but he's making a living off it all hand made parts
@@TWAMotorsports Travis I would almost conclude that it's the steering rack and the steering box both to have the much play in steering wheel.. that is alot of play too you got in that truck..
That's true
Truck doesn't have a rack
I know youve probably found something by mow but Elevated Concepts makes a rack and pinion kit for the OBS
It is a nice piece
All space clearance from steering gears box or steering shaft rubber weak some people upgrade to u joint to be strong and long life
That's next I think
Good Friday afternoon my friend 👍... Looks like winter wonderland out there... have a safe weekend..
Thank you. All the snow is melted now. Have a good weekend too
@@TWAMotorsports good Saturday morning my friend. I'm up early cause A my cat keeps waking me up for his Saturday morning breakfast. B I have some new trans am parts I got for a Christmas gift from Santa haha... So even though it's like 40° in my garage I'm going to be turning wrenches for the first time in 2021 back on my 94 trans am. Have a great day buddy 👍🇺🇲
Sounds cold. Good luck
Sup Travis! Keep the videos coming. The white truck is looking nice.
Thank you. Lots to do here
I have a 1991 Chevy 1500 an my steering is ruff. I’m trynna figure out what it can be I’m guessing the gear box but same time it looks like the whole pitman arm an gear box
Good luck on yours
Youll never get rid of sloppy steering with a steering box. The tight precision feeling everyone is after for the obs will only be fixed with rack and pinion.
Which will happen eventually
After about an hour and Half of highway driving great my 2000 Silverado , the steering wheel will start twiching to the right , rake and pin maybes?
Could be but that is a different set up than this video.
Could be the evo assist on it if it has it. My 97 k1500 does and it's on the shaft inside cab by firewall.
I have heard that too
Nice OBS for sure. I looked for one for a couple months before buying my other truck
Thank you. I probably shouldn't have bought it but I have a buying problem
@@TWAMotorsports lol I hear that, I just got my Silverado now I want a different one after 3 months. A little newer with a V8 but if I found a nice OBS shortbed I'd buy that right away. Im looking into North Carolina that's usually where I travel to find nice trucks or far into VA
I do that exact same thing all the time.
I wanna know if you could get a piece of urethane cut to put in place of the rubber in the rag joint.
I have another plan soon for that
Love these trucks. Looking good.
Thank you Kyle
You have to adjust it ,one 1/4 turn in, then drive it.i wouldn't go more than 1 1/2-2 turns
Thank you
I got a lares steering box for my blazer I think? Has been good so far. Got from advance. Paid a little more for it.
I tried one before and same results.
@@TWAMotorsports guess I got lucky. Replaced my rag joint also. 200,000. Def. felt better.
Yeah mine will be replaced again
Elevated concepts has a rack and pinion conversion
Nvm just looked it up that's the 1800$ one 🤦♂️
Yep that's the one. Lol
such a dream garage
Thank you
Yoo I have that same problem with my 99 yukon and I changed the entire suspension control arms everything they gave me 2 reason lower steering shaft or the the entire steering
Yeah that where I'm at
@@TWAMotorsports for sure shoot it's gonna cost tho
You should invest in a mighty vac fluid evacuator its pneumatic and pretty cheap
I have one and its terrible lol
Suck out the fluid from the reservoir, take off the return line, put it in a bucket, crank it up for about 10 seconds and pump the rest out.
I probably should
A rack from a 99-06 2wd gm 1500 would probably fit with some easy modifications
The tierod angle would be the killer I think
@@TWAMotorsports not if you could make some strong brackets to place them in a good spot that wouldn’t put the rods in a bind
Out of my league
@@bassackwards8821 ever hear of bump steer
Man I was hoping that would fix it. My Tahoe has the same prob. New suspension/steering components same box though. A mechanic told me there is no fixing it. And I have yet to read anything on the internet about a solution
That's kinda where I'm at lol
The box is used. It could have play already in it. At 90k . I think between the used box and a loose shaft that's were your getting the play at. But at 1800. That new rack might be the trick. But come on the life span of you owning the truck is short. I can already see taillights as its going down the road lol. Just play either way I hope you fix it. Love the channel keep it up brother.
Lol. Stuff like this makes me want to punt sometimes
used box could have pay to
how do the brakes feel on the truck?
soon to be WAY better
Mine have always been squishy, thinking it's in the abs module?
I'm doing nbs master soon
you should get the led NBS DRL headlights that got the Led strip. They would look preety nice
I like them but don't think they fit what I want to do.
@@TWAMotorsports tue but maybe for the sierra or suburban love the project tho 🔥🔥😈
*true
Maybe
Ive tried everything man. Pitman ,idler, steering box, and new pump, all new front end suspension.... still have play in the steering.
I guess I may have to live with it.
I got everything new except the box and haven't replaced the rag joint yet but i have it.
I'm going to try a joint there
Were you able to fix it?
No. Going to rack
Your videos are the best Travis keep up the good work👍 I love watching you work on the OBS truck🚘
Thank you
jeep cherokee steering shaft with u joints will eliminate that rag joint and its bolt in
I have seen that swap.
There’s another guy making a video he he replace to the rag joint I don’t know if you got a rag joint but it could be in that
I did rag joint replacement too
I’m not sure what it is I have the same problem with mine I have a the gearbox off I’m going to send it in to have it rebuilt I have about 4 inches of play Tony other thing I could think of was may be in if the inside bearings are wobbling I haven’t checked out yet it seems to be right there where the steering mechanism connects to the gearbox maybe it’s just a design flaw of Chevrolet I don’t know I’m not a front end specialist my brother-in-law is but he won’t work on it so I haven’t been able to figure it out either
Gearboxes are junk is the issue
You may be right there are some people saying that rack and pinion is better but I think it cost you about $1800 to have your vehicle converted over
Yeah the rack isn't cheap
This isn't related to your current video but who makes the wheels that are on your Firebird? Thanks
Factory ws6 wheels.
@@michaelm3381 Bummer...I was hoping to look at some for my 6 bolt pattern Silverado....oh well
American racing. Links in video on install a few years ago
Won't work
No they are American racing
Just stretch the seatbelt out and tie it to the steering wheel to hold it in place.
Lol
2 to 4 inches is OEM standard of play
That's crazy
What size is your tires?
Not sure. Not the same front and back. I bought the truck with them on it.
@@TWAMotorsports it's embossed on tires
vimeo.com/165324708
Travis by watching your videos I think you can do a box. This video is a good one just make sure you get a box out salvage yard on 3rd gen Camaro or firebird the best one is iroc. 2 1/4 turn lock to lock but any 3rd gen has good spool valve which is what gives you the feel your looking for. You'll have better box than turn 1 or redhead.
www.ebay.com/itm/1982-92-Camaro-Firebird-Quick-Ratio-Steering-Box-2-1-4-TURN-GM-OEM-IMCA-TPI-/353096821345?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286
Just so you don't think I'm pulling your chain here is a video of my truck I've since added a full ride tech coil over suspension system and a d1sc procharger to this truck. If you need more info just let me know on box
th-cam.com/video/NjCjCOoCGxY/w-d-xo.html
Must have been filmed before you got the kerosene heater
No it was after but don't run it while I'm filming
3rd gen problems it floats like a butterfly and stings like something that floats
Lol
Never been this early
same
Lol. Get in early
👍
Hey Whats up
What up
Wood stove
?
For heat in shop
I see
I think I'm seeing the same slop on my steering gear that you are. I can rotate the steering shaft/spline and you barely see the grease fitting on the pitman arm move. This is my original steering gear on my 170K 1996 Yukon. I've been debating a new steering gear from Lee Powersteering, Redhead, or AGR.
th-cam.com/video/YOGVslfxPko/w-d-xo.html
I think I may try agr
@@TWAMotorsports Was it the similar slop you're seeing on yours? When you get a new steering gear, hope you post it. Thx. I like your vids.
Haven't tried agr yet
Ahh can't wait till that gets a 6.0 In it 👍
That's going in my 52 flat black truck
@@TWAMotorsports maybe a different 6.0 haha
Maybe eventually