New member with front end prob.

[BKSTALL]

My "new" 90 GW with 160k miles has a lot of play in the front end. I replaced the steering box because the case was cracked and leaked power stearing fluid. What are the things I should be looking for and how do I check it?

Many Thanks,

BK

PS. last name is really Stall

[River Beast]

Check ball joint play...uppers and lowers. Tierod end play. It's the up and down play in the joints you look for...

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Todd
78 Wagoneer "River Beast"
360/TH400/QT
Dana 44's (soon to be locked w/ 4.88's and 38x14.50's)
7" SOA conversion
4" Skyjacker Softride
3" Trailmaster Bodylift
My FSJ site: http://www.geocities.com/~spazz4life (http://www.geocities.com/~spazz4life)
My E-mail: spazz4life@yahoo.com
"If you can't stop...SMILE as you go under!"

[Dean]

Also check your bushings,(spring eyes, sway bar), although this isn't directly related to steering linkage sloppyness I believe this is why mine has "vague" steering going down the road.

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'78 Wagoneer Limited
401/Q-trac W/low range
Stock for now.........
have '84 parts rig,
4" rancho lift, 3" body
lift, '78 j20 axles. Whoo
hoo, future 3/4 ton wagoneer.

[scotty]

also dont forget the steering stabilizer.its amazing how big a difference that can make.it wears out slowly,so you dont even realize thzt it may be a problem until you stick a new one on there and see wht it should feel like!



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scott
85 grand wagoneer
258 with motorcraft 2bbl/904/twin stick dana 300/dana 44/welded amc 20
38x15.5 gumbo mudders
snorkel/dual batteries/onboard air/"custom" convertable
3 inch body lift/mostly stock suspension/"modified" fender openings
custom front/rear bumpers and brushgaurd

possible small block chevy "test" swap in near future

[scotty]

oh yeah-shocks,too. our springs in a GW are fairly soft-especially after 10+ years of use.therefore you need good bushings and good shocks to help compensate. i think this is why alot of older leaf sprung vehicles feel alittle vauge on the road-plain and simple: very soft springs. a good friend of mine has tuff country springs,shocks and dual stabilizer on his chevy truck,and the ride and articulation are amazing,even without a sway bar.



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scott
85 grand wagoneer
258 with motorcraft 2bbl/904/twin stick dana 300/dana 44/welded amc 20
38x15.5 gumbo mudders
snorkel/dual batteries/onboard air/"custom" convertable
3 inch body lift/mostly stock suspension/"modified" fender openings
custom front/rear bumpers and brushgaurd

possible small block chevy "test" swap in near future