Backlash feeling in steering at slow speed

[Scott64pw]

Hey guys. I’ve got a 21 powerwagon. Lately I’ve felt a slight backlash in steering when pulling into my garage. I only feel it when straight and it seems like backlash of some sort between +\-2 deg ( or smaller). I suppose it could also be something with the power steering, but I was thinking of linkages. Any ideas for common causes of this?

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Worn steering gear box.
Worn drag link ball joints
Worn tie rod ball joints.

Steering gear box can be adjusted.
The other two, you have to replace the whole link. The ball joints on the ends are not replaceable.
I went with Apex links on my '21 PW when I replaced mine. Beefer and the ends are replaceable. And they have grease fittings on them.

 

[Scott64pw]

Worn steering gear box.
Worn drag link ball joints
Worn tie rod ball joints.

Steering gear box can be adjusted.
The other two, you have to replace the whole link. The ball joints on the ends are not replaceable.
I went with Apex links on my '21 PW when I replaced mine. Beefer and the ends are replaceable. And they have grease fittings on them.

Thank you! Did you experience the same backlash? Or did you replace links around 70k miles?

 

[Crusty old shellback]

It's all in my build thread.
But you can. Check by climbing under tge truck and have someone turn the steering wheel while you look for play in the joints. If no play is seen, then the steering box probably needs adjusting.
Plenty of videos on YouTube.

I was chasing several issues when I did mine around 70K miles.

 

[Scott64pw]

It's all in my build thread.
But you can. Check by climbing under tge truck and have someone turn the steering wheel while you look for play in the joints. If no play is seen, then the steering box probably needs adjusting.
Plenty of videos on YouTube.

I was chasing several issues when I did mine around 70K miles.

Thanks!