Tight/Binding Steering Issue

First time poster here...92 C1500 with the 5.0 @ 168k. Already replaced the steering box and pump with reman units (fluid was BLACK when I got the truck and pump squealing) and rag joint to eliminate a crap ton of play. There is still some slop in the wheel, but upon jacking it up and shaking tires side-to-side it feels solid. Anyway, it is still very difficult to turn, and if you are within a couple degrees of center, the wheel does not want to return on its own. It seems to get easier the farther you turn in each direction, but feels like it is binding towards center. Ball joints look like factory. Tie rods aren't shot from what I've seen so far.

Anybody deal with this? I'm about to blame not getting a fresh Delco gearbox but don't want to fire the parts cannon yet. It tracks fine, highway especially, but just feels like I get a serious workout from the wheel almost as if there is no power steering.

Did it do it before the reman gearbox installation? The plastic cover over the rag joint is back on correctly (though I doubt that would be it)?

Nothing is binding when watching from underneath?

You could try bleeding it some more since that’s pretty much free, but you wouldn’t be the first to get a bad box - even from ACDelco.


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Perhaps a moderator will move this thread to Stock Suspension + Bolt On Kits.

Lack of return-to-center, and lack of power assist is most-likely a defective PS gearbox. Apparently common in the mass-market rebuild world.

They make an AC Delco steering gear?

alpinecrick said:

They make an AC Delco steering gear?

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That's what I got

For 510$ check out this warranty

SUBURBAN5 said:

That's what I got

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Where did you get it?

Let me qualify...are AC Delco steering gears available for K1500?

alpinecrick said:

They make an AC Delco steering gear?

Click to expand...

They sell a reman under the Professional name.

It had nice black paint. Mine stayed in the truck for 1/4 mile before I yanked it out.

Others seem to have no issues, so I guess it’s a complete crapshoot these days.


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SUBURBAN5 said:

For 510$ check out this warranty

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Is that gear for GMT800’s?

east302 said:

They sell one under the Professional name.

It had nice black paint. Mine stayed in the truck for 1/4 mile before I yanked it out.


Others seem to have no issues, so I guess it’s a complete crapshoot these days.


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Click to expand...

Yeah I have a brand new BBB Industries steering gear in my 96. It’s got play........