72 Bus Steering Knock

[Sluggo]

The other day when I was pulling out I heard a loud knock and the steering loosened up slightly. Now I get a knock when I rock the steering back & forth. Bottomend and I took a look at it and we were convinced it was the little ball joint in the drag link. I pulled the good drag link from my '73 and put it on the '72. I still have the same knock plus now my steering is out of alignment.

Any suggestions?

[Amskeptic]

The other day when I was pulling out I heard a loud knock and the steering loosened up slightly. Now I get a knock when I rock the steering back & forth.

Check the pitman arm right where it comes out of the steering box. Have someone rock the steering wheel while you push up on the pitman arm at the front drag link ball joint. If the pitman arm clicks, you can try to adjust the box a bit. But 1972 and earlier buses can develop a knocky box after nasty impacts. Don't adjust the steering box too far, no sticky on-center allowed. Udderndat, the center pin bushings can make everything feel knocky. Jack the center tie rods up with a bottle jack, just enough to preload them a little, knock gone? There you are.
Colin

[Sluggo]

Check the pitman arm right where it comes out of the steering box. Have someone rock the steering wheel while you push up on the pitman arm at the front drag link ball joint. If the pitman arm clicks, you can try to adjust the box a bit. But 1972 and earlier buses can develop a knocky box after nasty impacts. Don't adjust the steering box too far, no sticky on-center allowed. Udderndat, the center pin bushings can make everything feel knocky. Jack the center tie rods up with a bottle jack, just enough to preload them a little, knock gone? There you are.
Colin

I felt it in the pitman arm. But found some slop in the draglink so we assumed that was it. Probably a combination.