As promised......
I have replaced the ragjoint and adjusted the worm gear end play and the sector lash and as a result completely eliminated the steering looseness at the steering wheel. I also replaced the worm gear seal, but was unable to remove the pitman arm with a piman arm puller and great manual exertion. I am reluctant to use heat on the arm or an air gun on the removal tool. I have noticed the worm gear seal is weeping a bit around the shaft despite being well lubed before installation, but am hopeful it will seal a bit better with use.
I did discover today that the stock steering box for both the K 10 and 20 is the same unit, so I was mistaken thinking they were different. I am now unsure about the pitman arm application being different. I do know the K10 uses control arms and coil springs as I have seen ball joints listed an parts catalogs. I have always owned 3/4 or full ton pickups or panels so I am not as familiar with the lighter trucks.
A tip on what has worked for me in the past is to use rockauto's online catalog to compare things like steering components and see what years used what bu searching each year of truck you are interested in; it is by no means totally inclusive or infallible but works often enough for me to considere it one resource among many.
Last edited by Xena; 03/23/2021 1:45 PM.
