large turnning clearance???

[gabe2000]

I got my truck running but to make turns it takes a very large circle turn? Any ideas???

[DesertCat]

Make it a 1/4 miler? These trucks were meant for work and this is but another one of the charming things about them

[hemifalcon]

is the radius the same approximately from the left to right? Meaning--is it the same number of turns from lock-to-lock of the steering wheel?

[Reyals Bemus]

Interesting... I always found my '64 C10 to have a super tight turning radius. I love it.

[McCoyAZ]

I feel your pain.

I have to turn wide or I pull in, then back up and take a 2nd stab at getting in a parking space.

[donthekawguy]

The gears are welded in my rear end so not only do I have the wide turning radius but it pushes the front wheels while turning. Almost feels like a 4x4 turning on dry pavement. Another reason I need a new rear end.

[LostMy65]

As mention above, check if the turning radius is the same left and right.
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[markeb01]

I'd suggest jacking up the front end and have someone else turn the wheels from lock to lock and see if anything is binding. If the tires are too big or the wheels have the wrong offset they could be hitting the frame or body work. The steering linkage or the stops on the spindles could also be bent limiting travel.

[contagious102]

The gears are welded in my rear end

Not very safe, that's going to leave you on the side of the road.!! Your right need to replace that SOON.!!!May even have a axle come out.

[tincan1966]

Originally Posted by gabe2000

I got my truck running but to make turns it takes a very large circle turn? Any ideas???

Have you had the alignment checked? Improper toe in can cause alot of issues.

[luvbowties]

Hemifalcon and LostMy65 both asked an important question. They have a specific reason for knowing that answer...and they may have some good advice for you if they learn the answer.

[donthekawguy]

Originally Posted by contagious102

Not very safe, that's going to leave you on the side of the road.!! Your right need to replace that SOON.!!!May even have a axle come out.

Yeah i'm searching foir rear end and now that the weather has turned i hardly drive the truck. i hope to get it done by spring.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

My 4x4 is like that. I can't turn around in my cul-de-sac with her. I have to back up and pull a three point turn to get around it.

[gabe2000]

thx for the input. imagine its normal on these old truck. I want to start another thread......conventional steering system vs. rack-n-pione steering system. Maybe rack-n-pin system is better and tighter turning clearance.... thx

[ChrisDollins]

Yea, something may be wrong. My 66 seems to have a pretty tight turning radius.

Chris
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[Rooster's 67]

Try actually measuring the turing radius and let us know what it is. then we can tell ya for sure if it is normal or out of specs.
Oh and we will need to know the wheel base.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by gabe2000

thx for the input. imagine its normal on these old truck. I want to start another thread......conventional steering system vs. rack-n-pione steering system. Maybe rack-n-pin system is better and tighter turning clearance.... thx

HEY, GABE! We need to know 3 things to determine whether just something merely needs adjusting on your truck or if there is something critically wrong with your truck.

First:Is the turning radius the same when turning left as when turning right? Try turning around in a big parking lot--first to left and then to right. Does it turn around in a smaller circle one way than the other? If so, which way is the radius shorter?

*NOTE: When doing the following tasks, turn the steering whl. such that front wheels are straight ahead. Use 2 pieces of masking tape, each about 3-4 inches long: place one of them along/around the steering wheel collar-adapter; place the other along/around the steering wheel's center hub, running parallel and kinda close to the first piece. Use a pen or pencil and draw a straight line, on the tape, at 90-degree angles up-and-down so that the marked line "crosses over" the gap between the 2 strips of tape. This mark(actually it becomes 2 marks as soon as steer. whl. is turned a tad) gives you a good reference as to where you started from, and how far your marks are away from lining back up when wheel reaches its stop.*

Second: When sitting still with wheels pointing straight ahead, turn the steering wheel clockwise until it will turn no further. Now release the steering wheel slowly. How many turns did it take, including any partial turn, to reach its stop? Like, "1 and 3/4 turns" or "2 and 1/4 turns" or "a tad less than 2 and 1/2 turns". Imagine a clock and use the 12-o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6-o'clock, and 9-o'clock positions as reference.

Third: When sitting still with wheels pointing straight ahead, turn the steering wheel counter-clockwise until it will turn no further. Now release the steering wheel slowly. As in the Second question above, how many turns did it take, including any partial turns to reach its stop?

If we know this information, we may be able to help you cure the problem quite easily and inexpensively. Hopefully, that will be the case.
sam

[hemifalcon]

A couple of ideas have been offered--need the original poster to try a couple of the simple tests to determine his number of turns from center to full-lock left, and from center to full-lock right..

The fact that you have a welded rear end is even more of an issue than if you had a posi or locker rear end.. That in essence is only wanting your truck to go straight as opposed to letting the rear end "slip".. That may be a contributor to the issue of course..

[tincan1966]

Rack and pinion steering will not make the truck turn any tighter- it's only going to turn as sharp as the steering stops will let it, whether it is manual, power or rack and pinion.

[aerotruk63]

I looked up the turning radius in the 1963 Chevrolet Truck Data Book.

C14 115" wheelbase is 22.9 ft. radius
C15 127" wheelbase is 23.5 ft.