Sensitive Steering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rylan · 05-25-2006, 01:29 AM

I have a 72 chev 4x4 with factory power steering. It's very sensitive. I am able to turn the wheel with my pinky finger with no effort. Any suggestions on how to make it less sensitive?

72 CustomCamper · 05-25-2006, 02:19 AM

Take the ps belt off... LOL

ratfreak88 · 05-25-2006, 03:20 AM

no i dont but my 72 is the same way

al's71gmc · 05-25-2006, 04:43 AM

The steering is one of the things I love about these trucks.

Longhorn Man · 05-25-2006, 05:22 AM

The spring in the bypass pressure relief is probably broken. On the back of the pump, where the hard line (pressure line) goes in, ot goes into a fitting that looks like a jamb nut of sorts. Remove the line, then remove the fitting, and look for a kerfagled spring. If it is in one piece, you'll want to replace it still, but with a stiffer one.

**special-K** · 05-25-2006, 09:03 AM

These trucks have a more primitive power steering system than what later-built vehicles have.It was great to not have to "fight" the wheel or be a bodybuilder to relax while driving.In the earlt-70s,first with cars,they started valving boxes for pressure/counter preasure to give some resistance and a better "back to straight" feel.You`re probably just used to the modern stuff.All my 4wds steer like that.

rylan · 05-25-2006, 08:17 PM

after driving my vehicle for work, with a stiff steering wheel, i get in my chev on the weekend, and it feels like i'm oversteering the thing. it may be a hazard.

**special-K** · 05-25-2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rylan

after driving my vehicle for work, with a stiff steering wheel, i get in my chev on the weekend, and it feels like i'm oversteering the thing. it may be a hazard.

Are you driving a 35 year old truck at work?If not,simple adjust yourself to what you are driving.I`ve never felt unsafe in my trucks.

Mordachai · 05-25-2006, 10:53 PM

yeah, mine is the same, I put PS in from manual, and man, it's sweeet.

Now I can actually enjoy driving the truck, instead of working hard to drive it!
( I also ditched the 3 on the tree for T350, but I still have manual brakes!!)

I think it's something you should easily be able to adjust to......

|M|

TugOwar · 05-25-2006, 08:48 PM

The steering on my 68 is that way, requires almost no effort. I like it!

da-burb · 05-25-2006, 11:10 PM

The brochures of the time advertised 1.5#'s of force required to turn the wheel. Look at it this way, if it required more it would mean your ball joints had siezed.

Green Monster · 05-25-2006, 11:21 PM

You can replace the steering gear with a variable ratio steering gear.

I was not happy with my sloppy worn out steering gear. Too much slack when driving down the highway. Constantly correcting. Wes of ClassicHeartbeat.com was able to obtain a custom made a variable steering gear for me. Same price as a stock replacment. I love it. The steering is soooo much more precise making driving more peasurable. The wheel feels closer to a normal vehicle, with a little more resistance than before. It's only 3 1/2 turns lock to lock as oppossed to the 4 1/2 turns I had before. I make turns quicker now. Good for avoiding road obsticles as well as parking.

Here is the thread about the steering.
http://www.classicheartbeat.com/foru...loppy+steering

**special-K** · 05-26-2006, 07:59 AM

That`s a great idea.It also,occured to me that these trucks have a much larger diameter steering wheel than newer vehicles.That adds to this feel.

*MisterMan* · 05-26-2006, 08:04 PM

i have a 71 gmc long bed, its the same way, orig awner said it was always like that. persopnally i hate it. when jumpin outta a conor we always go flying over into the opposing lane.... i can never feel "where" i am. looking for a way to stiffning it up also.... also soon going to shorten the steering colum. its too far in my face.

if ya find an easy way, drop me a pm.

--den den

Mordachai · 05-26-2006, 09:31 PM

^ ^I think your guy's trucks are worn out. ^
slack in the steering wheel and low force to turn it are two differnt things(did I say that right?)
check out ball joints and tie rod ends.
Also make sure your pitman arm and idler arm aren't bent.

if everything's up to shape, it should steer very well, but just requires less force to turn the wheel than a modern truck(or car).

My old van had a idler arm bent over 10 degrees, and a slightyl twisted pitman arm.
Once those were replaced, the 4-6 inches of freeplay in the wheel suddenly dissappeared!!

05-25-2006, 01:29 AM	#1
rylan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Okanagan Posts: 2	Sensitive Steering I have a 72 chev 4x4 with factory power steering. It's very sensitive. I am able to turn the wheel with my pinky finger with no effort. Any suggestions on how to make it less sensitive?

05-25-2006, 02:19 AM	#2
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Re: Sensitive Steering Take the ps belt off... LOL __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

05-25-2006, 03:20 AM	#3
ratfreak88 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 17	Re: Sensitive Steering no i dont but my 72 is the same way

05-25-2006, 04:43 AM	#4
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	Re: Sensitive Steering The steering is one of the things I love about these trucks. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!!

05-25-2006, 05:22 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Sensitive Steering The spring in the bypass pressure relief is probably broken. On the back of the pump, where the hard line (pressure line) goes in, ot goes into a fitting that looks like a jamb nut of sorts. Remove the line, then remove the fitting, and look for a kerfagled spring. If it is in one piece, you'll want to replace it still, but with a stiffer one.

05-25-2006, 09:03 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Sensitive Steering These trucks have a more primitive power steering system than what later-built vehicles have.It was great to not have to "fight" the wheel or be a bodybuilder to relax while driving.In the earlt-70s,first with cars,they started valving boxes for pressure/counter preasure to give some resistance and a better "back to straight" feel.You`re probably just used to the modern stuff.All my 4wds steer like that. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-25-2006, 08:17 PM	#7
rylan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Okanagan Posts: 2	Re: Sensitive Steering after driving my vehicle for work, with a stiff steering wheel, i get in my chev on the weekend, and it feels like i'm oversteering the thing. it may be a hazard.

05-25-2006, 10:53 PM	#9
Mordachai Fat Fendered Fleetside Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: WPB, S. FL, USA, Earth Posts: 718	Re: Sensitive Steering yeah, mine is the same, I put PS in from manual, and man, it's sweeet. Now I can actually enjoy driving the truck, instead of working hard to drive it! ( I also ditched the 3 on the tree for T350, but I still have manual brakes!!) I think it's something you should easily be able to adjust to...... \|M\|

05-25-2006, 08:48 PM	#10
TugOwar Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pleasanton, TX Posts: 1,723	Re: Sensitive Steering The steering on my 68 is that way, requires almost no effort. I like it!

05-25-2006, 11:10 PM	#11
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Re: Sensitive Steering The brochures of the time advertised 1.5#'s of force required to turn the wheel. Look at it this way, if it required more it would mean your ball joints had siezed. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

05-25-2006, 11:21 PM	#12
Green Monster Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Malvern, PA Posts: 951	Re: Sensitive Steering You can replace the steering gear with a variable ratio steering gear. I was not happy with my sloppy worn out steering gear. Too much slack when driving down the highway. Constantly correcting. Wes of ClassicHeartbeat.com was able to obtain a custom made a variable steering gear for me. Same price as a stock replacment. I love it. The steering is soooo much more precise making driving more peasurable. The wheel feels closer to a normal vehicle, with a little more resistance than before. It's only 3 1/2 turns lock to lock as oppossed to the 4 1/2 turns I had before. I make turns quicker now. Good for avoiding road obsticles as well as parking. Here is the thread about the steering. http://www.classicheartbeat.com/foru...loppy+steering __________________ Photo Gallery of 1972 K/5 Blazer CST Last edited by Green Monster; 05-25-2006 at 11:25 PM.

05-26-2006, 07:59 AM	#13
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Sensitive Steering That`s a great idea.It also,occured to me that these trucks have a much larger diameter steering wheel than newer vehicles.That adds to this feel. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-26-2006, 08:04 PM	#14
MisterMan Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Visalia, California Posts: 286	Re: Sensitive Steering i have a 71 gmc long bed, its the same way, orig awner said it was always like that. persopnally i hate it. when jumpin outta a conor we always go flying over into the opposing lane.... i can never feel "where" i am. looking for a way to stiffning it up also.... also soon going to shorten the steering colum. its too far in my face. if ya find an easy way, drop me a pm. --den den

05-26-2006, 09:31 PM	#15
Mordachai Fat Fendered Fleetside Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: WPB, S. FL, USA, Earth Posts: 718	Re: Sensitive Steering ^ ^I think your guy's trucks are worn out. ^ slack in the steering wheel and low force to turn it are two differnt things(did I say that right?) check out ball joints and tie rod ends. Also make sure your pitman arm and idler arm aren't bent. if everything's up to shape, it should steer very well, but just requires less force to turn the wheel than a modern truck(or car). My old van had a idler arm bent over 10 degrees, and a slightyl twisted pitman arm. Once those were replaced, the 4-6 inches of freeplay in the wheel suddenly dissappeared!!

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