First off, I have used the seach function and I have read many threads on here about steering gears.

Here is my problem, I have 3" of play either way in the steering wheel, a wander going down the road, and it is super tight in the first 6" either direction causing me to drive with two hands and constant correction reguardless of speed.

Here is what has been done:
-Everything in the front end has less than 5,000 mi. From the pitman arm and center link to the control arm bushings and wheel bearings.
-Everything in the linkage is tight.
-I just tightened up the steering column and put in a new rag joint.
-I tried to adjust the steering gear, but it was already tightened as far as it could go.
-I am also running a LT1 power steering pump now, no change in effort.
-I am running 235/60/15's (new) and the fluid has been flushed and cooler added.
-The factory steering box easily has close to 200k or better on it.

The slop is definately in the steering gear confirmed visually with the plastic collar pulled back. I really dont feel like rebuilding it and I definately cant afford a Lee box, but am thinking about tossing an Autozone 2.5 lock to lock unit in it.

I have read some good posts about the Autozone unit, my biggest concern is the wander and effort required to initially turn the steering wheel since this is my daily driver and a T56 car.

Does it sound like a new box will correct this (or at least make it livable)?

Should I get a 3.5 lock to lock unit? Or is that worse?

 

I decided to pull the gear box last night and try and adjust it according to what I read. I didnt get around to adjusting it yet since it was late when I pulled it. I did find that the hard over-the-center steering effort was due to a misadjusted steering gear. Someone had cranked the nut down on top of the steering gear but didnt have the steering wheel strait, so the gear box was not at the top of its travel. I had to loosen the nut and back the screw out so I could turn the box by hand. I will finish the adjustments up tonight after work and post my results. I also found that my center link needs to be replaced. I guess the previous owner did not do that.

So for FYI, make sure you take the time to pull the box and make the correct adjustments.

 

How do you remove the steering box? I need to adjust mine as well, and replace the rag joint.

 

Pulling the box is pretty easy, here is how I did it:

1st step: Get a 1 5/16" socket to remove the pitman arm nut.
2nd step: Take, or rent, a pitman arm puller and remove the pitman arm. Slide it out of the way.
3rd step: Make sure the steering wheel is strait then slide the plastic collar back from the steering gear. There should be a bolt head facing you. Take a 7/16" socket and remove the bolt.
4th step: Use a large screw driver or pry bar and slide the shaft off of the steering gear towards the firewall.
5th step: Take an 18mm wrench and remove the high pressure line. Put it out of the way. May help to cap it so it dosent leak everywhere. Then remove the return line and plug it as well. If you have a factory PS cooler, you will have a hard line that also takes an 18mm wrench.
6th step: Take a 5/8" wrench or socket and remove the three steering gear bolts in the wheel well area. Make sure you are holding the steering gear or secure it before you remove the last bolt so the steering gear dosent fall out.

Then rotate the input back and fourth with the return port over a drain pan to get the fluid out of the steering gear. Once that is done adjust it according to the directions in FAQ section.

 

Thank you!

 

Just wanted to let everyone know that the correct adjustments made a world of difference in steering feel. It also removed some of the slop, but the change in effort from the adjustments made the car enjoyable to drive again. I definately recommend doing it!

 

I just replaced mine today with a AC Delco 2.5 lock to lock from RockAuto.com. There is a $25 core charge for the old gear. I decided to keep my old gear and rebuild it with a Edelmann complete kit from RockAuto for $16. The only issue I had was a leak at the steering shaft connection. I want to take it apart and learn how to fix it and have a spare or sell it later on. Its an original 85 Z28 2.5 lock to lock with 125k on it.