My 86 IROC has very sloppy steering. The rag joint seems fine, but I can move the wheel a lot with no movement at all from the pitman arm. I’ve adjusted the lash almost to the point of binding but it’s not improved anything.

Are there any other adjustments I can make or is it replacement time?

Where’s the best place to get a replacement with the right ratio, they seem hard to come by?

 

I'm in the same boat. I'm leaning towards a MOOG set up from 1A Auto. Its got the ball joints, inner and outers and center link. During an inspection yesterday all were showing signs of slop.
https://www.1aauto.com/1982-92-chevr...1074166&y=1988

Regarding the Steering Gear, my rag joint seems proper but there is alot of play between the input shaft and pitman arm, like yourself. For this I'm thinking about the Cardone Reman with the FE2 setup from Rock Auto since mine too is an Iroc.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...5650&jsn=27183

I also noticed that the hi pressure hose is leaking around the swedge connection so I'm also looking to replace it from with one from Rock Auto as well. Since I have the Power steering switch, I needed the one with the female fitting and thus thinking about ordering the one below.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...5650&jsn=27181

And lastly, I'm looking to flush the system with a nice synthetic. I haven't decided what to use yet and I'm still debating whether or not to use an inline filter. Time will tell but I'll keep current as I take this project on.

-Chris

 

Well, you've already adjusted the thing you're not supposed to adjust. There is a preload adjustment on the ballscrew assembly that is accessible by removing the steering box from the vehicle. It is on the part of the box where the steering shaft slides onto the splined shaft going into the box. The procedure for adjusting it is lengthy. Once you adjust that, then you adjust the pinion depth (the one you adjusted). Apologies, I don't mean to sound like a twit.

I've also found a good amount of slop from the weird hybrid combination joint on the steering shaft. The big tumor looking thing with a ripped rubber boot. I've pulled a few shafts, and they all seem to have some play there. You have to get creative to take the slop out; I used an air hammer in a few spots to snug the outer housing up to the square sliding bits inside.

The lower column has a bushing that isn't very great at supporting anything. It protrudes into the engine bay. There are a bunch of kits available online to convert this to a bearing. Seems to work decently well.

This is all based on my experience rebuilding and tightening up the steering over the years. My steering is pretty tight considering the age and design of the system.

 

If your budget allows, what I would STRONGLY recommend is getting a Borgeson steering box and converting to a U-joint steering shaft (they have a universal kit for that...or I think some of you 3rd gen guys are doing Astro Van shafts or something?? maybe search on that).

But I have that Borgeson set up on my 2nd gen, and it is AMAZING. Easily will compete with any late model car in terms of feel and response.

On mine, I added two pressure reducing shims to the power steering pump (also available from Borgeson) and gave the adjustment on the box a 1/4 turn tighter to really dial it all in, in terms of feel.

Also, you 3rd gen guys already have the benefit of superior suspension geometry compared to 2nd gens, in terms of how much caster you can dial in. Such that you get the benefit of self-centering at higher-speeds. Part of my overall steering improvement had to also include tubular upper arms to be able to dial ~6.5° caster (which my guess is 3rd gens can get with stock suspension). Stock 2nd gens can only get about 1-2° max.