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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 29
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power steering too powerful
this is gonna sounds really weird to some of you but I'm actually thinking of taking out my power steering. At speeds of over 45mph I find steering to be a little squirrely and you lose tension not really able to feel how the truck is pulling. Plus, the PO installed a smaller diameter cheapo "GT" steering wheel that just doesnt feel like your holding on to much. I've been considering replacing that with a larger and more authentic 15" wheel but am afraid that might make steering even worse. Hence the idea to just get a bigger wheel and take out the PS.
Has anyone wrestled with this in the past? |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Creighton Sask. Canada
Posts: 4,121
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Re: power steering too powerful
I did on my 71 4wd Gmc and went to a larger wheel, thought it would make it worse but actually made it feel better, not as jumpy as the to small wheel. Could always find a pump with a larger pulley on it which would turn slower being a larger circle and slow down the steering a bit, but need longer belt.
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1987 Green n Green machine. 5.0 4spd std. 7" lift w 35's. |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 29
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Re: power steering too powerful
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Creighton Sask. Canada
Posts: 4,121
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Re: power steering too powerful
Easy to find a used pump, different years have different sized pulleys just stay close in year so the hose ends are the same, hard to find a poor Chevy ps pump, usually pretty tough.
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1987 Green n Green machine. 5.0 4spd std. 7" lift w 35's. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 2,188
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Re: power steering too powerful
This has been debated in detail in other posts. To summarize, in order for you to keep your power steering and increase the effort to turn (which increases road feel) you need to swap out the high pressure valve. The valve reduces the pressure (which can be between 900 and 1200 psi) essentially reducing how much power assist the pump is offering.
I tried using the shim kit which is also available and found that it doesn't decrease the power assist enough to warrant doing the modification. All the shim kit did was significantly reduce the high squeel that occurs when the wheel is turned to either lock. The concensus is, the power steering assist you are feeling is indeed the way the factory intended it to feel. Best of luck with your choice. |
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#6 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,005
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Re: power steering too powerful
I would replace the steering box before removing my power steering. That will reduce the play you feel and tighten the steering more than anything else. Power steering on these trucks is very responsive and takes some getting used to.
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1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man |
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#7 |
Cluster King
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Junction City, OR
Posts: 5,263
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Re: power steering too powerful
You may also have some other factors that are causing your problem as well.
Did you just add this power steering set up after driving with manual steering? That alone will give you a false sensation until you get use to it. How much free play is in your steering box? Have you adjusted it? How is the rest of the front suspension as far as wear? How wide are the front tires? Has the front end been aligned recently? If alignment is out of spec, that can cause a "squirrely" feeling. Hope this helps, Take care, Tom
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Contact me on all of your gauge cluster needs. I specialize in restoration, repair and parts sales for 67-72 Chevy and GMC trucks. email me at tbonegarris@yahoo.com I am also a dealer for Counterpart for gauge cluster parts only. Also see my facebook page, CG&C |
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#8 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: power steering too powerful
With all parts in good working order these trucks steer perfectly fine. They do not feel like a newer vehicle. They are not a newer vehicle. They take getting used to. Humans are have proven to be be very adaptable throughout or history
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"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 ~ |
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#9 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,265
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Re: power steering too powerful
Fyi to all the young C10 owners. Super easy power steering was the norm in the sixties by design. Chrysler/plymouth had some of the easiest steering of any of the car makes back then.
As far as the twitchiness is concerned that sounds more like worn steering components or alignment out or bad tires. Be carefull trying to adjust the steering sector. I don't recommend that. If significant wear is found in the sector to cause loosness it should be replaced. They aren't that expensive.
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2001
Location: Independence MO.
Posts: 7,698
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Re: power steering too powerful
It all the years I have been buying and selling these truck, I have had several trucks that had overly easy power steering. There was a thread about this a while back. I have no idea why some of these truck have the overly easy power steering. I just had a low mile 3/4 ton last year like that. I would try putting the original wheel back on it.
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72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: frisco tx
Posts: 99
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Re: power steering too powerful
What is your total turns lock to lock?
I just upgraded from manual to power and the steering box I got at autozone is 3.3 turns lock to lock and from what I understand from reading threads here, that means it's a "progressive" or "variable" gearbox, that steers less at first, and progressively faster as you turn the wheel farther. It seems very stable at center wheel with no squirrely feeling, and corners with ease. Another thing I've wondered about is whether a "steering stabilizer kit" from LMC would help. I know it's more for stopping bump steer in trucks with oversized tires, but it seems like adding a shock absorber to the steering would HAVE to increase steering resistance. |
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#12 | |
All about them K’s
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Entrapment
Posts: 6,393
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Re: power steering too powerful
Quote:
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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 29
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Re: power steering too powerful
This has all been really good feedback and food for thought, folks. I do in fact need to refresh a lot of my steering and handling components (ball joints, tie rods, control arms, shocks, body mounts). Basically a lot of pieces that effect the overall feel and drive. I'm going to start there and replace the steering wheel with a 15" wheel and see where we are after that.
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 350
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Re: power steering too powerful
Too steep a caster setting on the front end alignment can cause the 'squirrelly' or 'nervous' steering feel. If you're going to go through the front end, you'll need to realign it anyway, so get it set right. The caster angle may be one of many factors involved.
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If 'that which does not kill me, makes me stronger', then I should be Superman by now! |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Marquette michigan
Posts: 828
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Re: power steering too powerful
Larger diameter steering wheel equals more leverage. Ease of steering is dictated by the spool valve inside the steering box! I pulled a used box from a 1985 c10 with variable ratio (stated on the glove box lid) and got 3 1/2 turn lock to lock. Best saginaw box made in my opinion, about 17/1 slower reacting ratio in the center position and after turning about 1/2 turn it quickens up to about 12/1. This was designed in response to corvettes at high speed with a quick box were twitchy and over-reacted in the 60's. If you really want to get into the details the variable ratio box has a sector shaft with a longer center tooth, hence variable ratio. This is obvious if you remove the 4 bolt cover on top and look inside. I don't recommend this if it's not your cup of tea as things can get messed up. I still remember reading about this box during my auto schooling during the late 70's. Welcome aboard and good luck, Brian F.
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