I recently purchased a 1996 Rodeo V6 LS with 127,000 miles. When driving at any speed, I am having to constantly move the steering wheel around to keep the truck on the road. In other words, there is a ton of play in the steering.Tires are new. Front axles and CV boots replaced six months ago. Good tires. Wheel alignment in August 06'. I appreciate any help.
I am not sure about shocks?
Gary

Ball joints, tie rods and/or the steering box are your next culprits. That alignment may be suspect too.

If they have never been replaced, the joints are probably due for it. They should not have done and alignment if they were worn. The steering box has some adjustment in it that you can tighten.

But, if it is drifting around that much, I would suspect either the tires or the alignment. Rotate the tires and see if it goes away. Some brands of tires are just not that great. Are they fully inflated?

Go back to, or find one, an alignment shop and tell them your problem. Maybe they set something up out of wack. It happens. If it is in spec, then have them try to adjust it such that it should not do what it is doing. Caster and toe are two important things for keeping the vehicle pointed in a straight direction and for the tires to return to center. Maybe they can fix it that way. At the least, have them give the front end a good inspection.

Good Luck,
Michael

Thanks for the tips Michael.

Gary

Don't forget the Idler Relay Lever...
(That's what Jerry says it's called)
i.e. the frame-mounted pivoting support for the Idler Arm --- If it has any play in it, your handling and steering 'feel' will suffer dramatically.

HTH


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm having the exact same problem with my 97'. Sure would like to know if you get yours figured out.

Keep in mind, too, that if you are used to most cars or tight steering that these trucks are generally fairly sloppy. The recirc ball design reduces feel & the age & wear of most of them on the road makes for it to be even sloppier. I'd consider the idler arm as well, the one on my 91 was shot at 200k miles or so. A newer p/s gearbox and the idler made mine feel a lot better back then, now at 260k miles it's feeling sloppy again...

The actual Idler Arm, orà


?


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

idler relay lever, or idler arm, whatever you wanna call it, its general refered to as a set... I haven't heard of anyone rebuilting the mechanism, its generally just unbolted and replaced.

...but I second that notion, check you idler (relay) arm.

-Rob

I'd lift the front tires and see if there is any play. MY first guess would be the tie rods or wheel bearings, followed by ball joints, and finally the idler arm.

I'm not trying to split hairs...

I'm only pointing out the difference in terminology because I just recently placed an order with Jerry for an 'Idler Arm' - and had he not asked me if I really wanted a 'Relay Lever' instead, I would have ended-up opening a box with a new ARM inside; which IS NOT what I need.

This probably only applies if you are ordering OEM - but in such cases, it sure would speed things along (and greatly reduce the number of returns and re-orders) if everyone knew exactly what Isuzu calls the part. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />