steering sways alot on truck
 

when i drive my truck down the road it wants to sway from side to side after it gets going about 35. Any way you can stop this.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

I replaced the steering gearbox, and it made a huge difference in the drivability of my blazer. Mine wouldn't sway a ton, but you felt like you had to keep you hands at 10 and 2 and never loose concentration. If that describes yours, I would definitly suggest a new gearbox.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

Have you replaced any parts on the front the your truck recently?

If so... checkout everything and make sure it was installed to specs.

If not... it might be time to rebuild the front end. (worn out parts)

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

check your Rag joint, ball joints, steering box, etc. Make sure everything is tight. Jack the front up and see if you can wiggle the wheels.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

i've put on a new gearbox and new arms that go from the gearboox to the 3-bolt open knuckle. Would it help to adjust the screw on the gearbox that has an allen screw to adjust.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

You shouldn't have to adjust the gearbox if it's new or rebuilt. Check the play when you turn the steering wheel side to side with the truck sitting still (engine off if you have power steering). Bouncytruck mentioned ball joints. I'd also check your tie rod ends.

Check your shocks, too, both front and rear.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

If your's is a 4x4. You may want to check the drag link. That has been the only weak link on mine. I've had to replace several through the years. When mine starts to road wander, I just replace it, and it's good to go for a few more years.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

If it's a 2wd, add a swaybar. (If the front end parts are all fine)

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

Something to think about is if you have changed out your tie rod ends on the drag link (or not) if they are towed in it will wander real bad just constantly searching from right to left
they def want to be towed out i believe a 1/16 " tow out is the proper alignment
like this \ /
not like this / \
i have aligned a bunch of my stuff this way and it works very well as far as wander goes

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

great post
I have noticed the same with my blazer. Thanks for leads.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

when you say the drag link, is that the arm that goes from the steering box to the 3bolt open knuckle or the long peice that goes from the right wheel to the left.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

I believ it's the short arm from the gear box. I removed all the same today, gear box, rag joint, drag link. My blazer wandered also, along with the gear box leaking. going to detail frame and replace gear box, hope that fixes problem as Blazer won't be road ready till spring. Post what fixes the problem I hope I'm headed in the right direction.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

ya, the drag link is the bar from the steering arm. About 14 in. long or so. Has a rubber boot on each end. Original ones were one piece. But now are in two pieces with turn buckle in middle. You'll need a pickle fork, or puller to pop them loose.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

I may have miss quoted my last post, isn't it the pitman arm that comes from the gearbox to the drag link? And that one is different from a2wd to a 4wd correct?

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

I have had the same problem for some time i replaced the steering box no help, new front stabilizer no help had the front end alined to a zero camber seemed to help the most with nothing loose in the front end balls etc. the truck drives fine on good roads but really sucks on a rutted road it will dart to the left or right i feel your pain i have a 70 gmc also and it drives as good as you can expect a blazer to drive so i know there is a problem in the other next i am going to stat all the front end ball joints.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

I just put balljoints on the front of my 72 Blazer, helped a bunch. The only way to diagnose these issues is to have someone move the steering wheel back and forth and watch the parts, the box, if the shaft moves but the pitman arm doesn't (at the same time) gear box, if it moves but the tires don't the other end of the pitman arm, and the tie rod ends, 4X4's are really easy in that there are only a few places for issues!! BTW short wheel base Blazers are darty to begin with, add in a hair of loose joints, and hang on!!

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

on my jimmy every time i tried to stop or hit a bump i would have to hold on to dear life got fed up with it and bought new tires they told me i need to replace my ball joints so i had them align the blazer the best they can with the new tires on it i drive with one hand on the steering wheel with no problems so i wont go 4 wheeling any time soon until i fix my ball joints.:metal:

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

i have a new steering box on my truck and when i turn the steering wheel the shaft going into the box moves a little, but the output shaft coming out doesn't. Could it be because of air still in the lines, because i still can't turn the wheels on the ground. it does have big wide mud tires on it.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

You are correct.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

Well i guess i may have miss quoted myself i was taught
that the arm on the bottom of the gearbox is the pitman arm
the link between that and the knuckle is the steering arm
the arm on the knuckle is the knuckle and the arm that goes between the 2 hubs is the draglink
with that said i was referring to the drag link

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

so what you are saying is i need to have the wheels point out not in, right. I do this by adjusting the draglink which is the long rod that goes between the wheels, right.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

Correct
the way i have always done it is to set the wheels pretty much straight and take a measurment on the rear inside of front tire and then make adjustments
so that the front inside of the front tires is wider than the inside rear by around 1/16 of an inch
basically they stick out in front by 1/16"
AND THAT SHOULD KEEP IT FROM SEARCHING
AND NOT EAT THE CROWNS IN THE ROAD
AND NOT EAT UP THE TIRES
BUT IF YOU HAVE WORE OUT PARTS THIS WILL NOT FIX YOUR PROB
AND WHAT I AM CALLING THE DRAG LINK MAY BE INCORRECT
IT IS THE LONG ARM THAT GOES IN BETWEEN THE 2 TIRES

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

Unless i'm getting senile in my old age. The drag link goes back from the pitman arm to left backing plate. And tie rod goes between the front wheels.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

correct the tie rod is the one the steerinf stabilizer attaches to. the one that always get bent first.

Re: steering sways alot on truck
 

Ok that sounds better than what i was sayin
i guess i ve been wrong for a few years
sorry
make your adjustment on the tie rod