New Steering Column or Junk Yard?

I wanted to know if I should go with a new steering column/box for my 1986 Chevy Silverado or should I start hitting the junk yards? I will be doing all the work and I want it to be economical for my wallet.  

is there a problem with the steering box..  or the steering column????

they are separate parts... you can change .. one or the other or both ...

there are articles on repairing loose tilt columns...   the columns are really easy to replace... and use the same components the aftermarket steering columns do.. but everything will be easier with a factory style steering column..  unless you need the chrome ...

there are articles on replacing the steering boxes..    

if you are having steering problems...    be sure to have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth.. while you watch the steering box on the frame...   some 4x4s have had frame fatigue problems that require additional bracing to be installed to steady the steering box in the frame...      the truck magazines have more on this...

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/howto/3099/index.html  

 this shows the installation of the steering box brace... just one kind of them.. i have seen others...

post your problem.. there are a lot of smart people here...   guessing at what the problem is what i am good at...   did i get close?????  

Yes, you have. Here is more on the problem: At a stand still and the truck turned on it is difficult to turn the steering wheel and becomes easier to turn when I gas it a bit. Also, while driving I feel the steering loose. Does it sound like the steering box is shot or could the column be the culprit?

How can I tell if the steering column is reusable?

Thanks for the heads up on the 4wheeloffroad site, I'll check it out and see if I can find more input.  

I have an 86 K10, and have owned a lot of these trucks in the past

The column has nothing to do with loose front end parts. dont tear into it just yet. Check the rag joint where the column shaft couples to the steering input shaft (oil leaks will destroy the rag joint)

    sounds like your power steering pump is bad. at idle there is low pressure. Also on the steering box  the main bearing on the pitman arm shaft is bad about getting loose. this will cause a lot of play even when all of the other parts are good.

Easy to check get someone in the truck with the engine off move the steering wheel to and fro look at the box you can see if the bearing has any play. even the slightest amount means no good  

If you have larger tires they reak havoc on the ball joints jack up the front end and try to move the tire up and down you will feel the play in the ball joints. be sure that you dont mistake loose wheel bearings for bad ball joints. There should be no play at all in the ball joints .  


If you have a tilt column and other owners have used it for a grab handle to get in and out of the truck this will cause major (column slop) do not use the column as a grab handle!! all the ones that i get have always been very loose. let us know I will give some pointers on how to tighten this. A little patience will go a long way. hope this helps