TRQ 12-Piece Steering Kit...Any Good?

https://www.1aauto.com/chevrolet-gm...asfk01099/931354/1997#product-reviews-content

Just picked up a 97 K1500 Suburban. Pitman and Idler arms are definitely shot. Steering very lose. Could possibly need more front end parts (tie rods, ball joints, etc.) and potentially a new steering box. Looks to be all original. Never owned a GMT400. Building this out into an overland rig. For the time being, I’m focusing on getting the drivetrain solid, but really need to tighten up steering just for better drivability. The steering wheel has about 3-4 inches of play each side. Jacked up the front and was able to rock the wheels pretty good. Once the drivetrain is solid, I’ll be looking for a 6” lift. I just need this to get me through 3-4 months of occasional driving before the lift. This is not my DD. Will probably drive it 1,000 miles in 3 months at most.

Has anyone tried this TRQ kit? Any good? If not, recommendations for another kit?

Advice is appreciated!


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Kit's are usually cheap parts at a premium price for the convenience. In general kits often lack things you need, and include things you don't. Both cases cost you more money.

I'd recommend buying individual parts that you need, and brands that are decent. Try Rockauto.

Check the rag joint....

I second the rag joint, but that much slop at the steering wheel makes me suspect the steering box. Remove the bolt on the rag joint and slide the shaft back and see how much you can move the input shaft before you feel the resistance of the wheels. That should help isolate issues.
Stuff for these trucks is cheap, you're better off getting decent quality and replacing the parts that need replacing vs. a bunch of stuff in a kit.

Vikingdude said:

I second the rag joint, but that much slop at the steering wheel makes me suspect the steering box. Remove the bolt on the rag joint and slide the shaft back and see how much you can move the input shaft before you feel the resistance of the wheels. That should help isolate issues.
Stuff for these trucks is cheap, you're better off getting decent quality and replacing the parts that need replacing vs. a bunch of stuff in a kit.

Click to expand...

I mentioned putting a 6” lift in the near future. After researching last night, not sure if I really need a 6” lift because I feel it may require much more maintenance and broken pitman and idler arms if the angles are bad.

I may opt to go for a 3-4” lift and use HD steering parts. I’ve also looked into the RCV axles. Ultimately I want to build a very reliable overlanding rig that won’t break steering and suspension parts every 10-20k miles...and do it within my budget. If that means a smaller lift then I’m okay with that. I would like 35’s but if 33’s is all I can fit cleanly in there, then I’m good.


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