Funky Steering Issue

[Nukes16]

Hey guys, once again hoping that someone in Chevyland can help me out. Since building my truck the steering seems to be a bit off. It doesn't pull at all and it tracks and brakes straight, but it doesn't seem to correct itself like it used to. When you turn and let go of the wheel is stays in that position rather than recovering like it should. It seems as though I always have to return it to the center position. And on the highway I constantly have to adjust the wheel back and forth rather than just letting it cruise along.
I have recently put new ball joints in the front, upper and lower, as well as dropped spindles and coils (4 1/2" total). I also had an alignment done and as mentioned, it drives nice and straight. Is this just something that needs to "break in" or is there a fix.... any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[GMC Guy]

i just replaced my pitman and idler arms, and had it aligned. drives nice and straight, and the steering feels tight, but i have the same situation with it not wanting to correct itself. didn't do it before, but i guess i'll get use to it

[85X3]

Ask your alignment tech to take the caster up to around 5° (DS) and 5½° (PS). If you already have good caster, you should check for a seized idler arm. Just my 2¢.

[sknights]

X2 on caster. Had the same issue with my 97 after new tires and alignment. Drove straight, just would not fully re-center. Alignment shop knew exactly what to do after describing the problem. HTH

[bigd65]

Maybe loosen the jam nut on the gear box just a tad

Ok not the jam nut itself, the tension screw. losen it a bit then tighten the jam nut back down

[85X3]

Just read your post again. Constant correcting leads me to suspect seized component. Back in the day when I done alignments, I remember when F#*d kingpins froze up. Had the same issues....constant steering correction and not returning to center.

[Dapper Dan]

You could of also over tightened the ball joints. What did you torque them to?

[Nukes16]

Ididn't torque them specifically. You have to turn them a certain amount just to line up the cotter pin to the castle nuts. I don't think that I overtightened them, but I'll check them again and maybe loosten them a bit. What torque should they be?

[Nukes16]

Bigd65, I'm not really sure what you mean by the jam nut tensioner, but I'll have a look at it and see if anything jumps out at me.
Thanks

[MrDude_1]

ive seen two things cause this in a typical centerlink GM steering system.

siezed idler arm
improper toe.

the idler arm is pretty self explainatory. it stays put.

the toe settings can cause the car to constantly scrub as it drives along,even when straight, and so it doesnt "pull" back to center.

[Dapper Dan]

Upper ball joint nut torque specification is 50 lb-ft, tighten to align cotter pin if necessary but don't exceed 90 lb-ft

Lower ball joint nut torque specification is 90 lb-ft, tighten to align cotter pin if necessary but don't exceed 130 lb-ft

That's what I used when I did mine the second time. The first time I had the same issue you are describing and that is what fixed mine. Hope you find your problem!

[Nukes16]

Thanks Dan, I'll try that tomorrow.

[bigd65]

I was talking about the adjuster screw on the steering gear box its self. I have over tightened them before and they cause the very thing your describing

[Nukes16]

Ok, I have replaced the idler arm with a brand new one, and I re-torqued my spindles to 90 and 50 lbs. Nothing has changed, my steering is extremely tight (as in it turns quickly with small steering wheel input) and it still does not return to straight when I let go of the wheel while going around a corner. I do have a new pitman arm as well that I have not installed yet. I guess I should try that as well.
What exactly is a Kingpin? Someone mentioned that it could be a seized kingpin, but I'm not familiar with what that is. I thought that is just the spindle.
Also, can anyone tell me what the nut/tension Allen key on the top of the power steering box does?

Thanks again everyone. I'm slowly picking things apart one by one with your help.

[MrDude_1]

Originally Posted by Nukes16

Also, can anyone tell me what the nut/tension Allen key on the top of the power steering box does?

it sets the gear lash on the box.
DONT touch it.. its not your problem, and over tightening it can wear-out and eventually ruin the box. its a touchy setting.

the number one thing you can do is re-check your alignment. your toe and caster are what make it pull back to center. im still betting its your toe.

if you went to any decent alignment shop, they should be willing to throw it back on the rack for free to double check their work.
if something was sticking, and now its moved and off, it will show on this re-check.

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by Nukes16

What exactly is a Kingpin? Someone mentioned that it could be a seized kingpin, but I'm not familiar with what that is.

You don't have kingpins. I think he was just using it as an example...

Slonaker

[Nukes16]

Awesome info, thanks guys. Unfortunately I did fool around with that allen key on the top of the steering box. I'll try to set it back to as close to the original as possible. Of course I don't really remember exactly where it started off.
Thanks again

[bigd65]

I know the guy the said it was touchy, and it is but i was only meaning to loosen just a tad. I hope you didnt move it to much. Sorry if I gave you bad advise but that was what was wrong with mine. I loosened it about a quarter of the turn and it was fine

[Nukes16]

Ya, I tried about a quarter turn in each direction and nothing much happened. I'm going to take off the tie rod ends and see how easily the spindles turn with the new ball joints. Maybe they are just stiff and need a break-in. If that doesn't work I'm going to add the 5º to the caster as suggested earlier.

Thanks again.

[vtwinsport]

I'm thinking it might be your steering box worn out. I have a completely new front end, aligned and checked by a reputable front end shop and they noted my steering box was sloppy. Mine tracks and pulls as it has 10" tires on the front and rear. I'm going to replace the steering box and see what happens. Can't really adjust the steering lash on the top of the box unless you are a seasoned front end mechanic- they are very sensitive I'm told. FYI.