Wide Turns in a 68 SWB

[cris well]

I have a 68 SWB with 71-72 disc brake and p/s conversion.

It has a very wide turning radius (much wider than my 93 GMC SWB).

Would a quick-ratio or a variable steering box tighten up the turns any?

[geezer#99]

Not one little bit!!
What you got for wheels? What backspacing?

[midniteblues]

are you sure the drag link and tie rods are in the correct positions? its very easy too install them backwards.
my opinion is these trucks actually have a pretty tight turning radius but when the above is done they dont.

[cris well]

I had 10" wheels with 4" BS on the front and I thought that may be the problem so I put 8" wheels with 4" BS but I can't tell any difference.

As far as the center drag link I'm not sure--I'll add a pic of it.

I put new tie-rod ends (inner and outer with new sleeves) and had it aligned so I think that is OK.

[geezer#99]

What tires?

[lolife99]

Post a picture of the steering stop area of the spindle and lower control arm also.

[cris well]

The tires are 255/70/15's.

Here are some pics--It's getting dark and I can't really tell what I'm taking pics of.

If I have the wrong angles or wrong areas let me know and I'll take more tomorrow.

I think something is wrong though because in the last 4 pics the wheel is turned all the way and I think it should turn further than that.

[cris well]

The rest of the pics--

[cris well]

And more--

To Admin: If they are too big I can try to re-size them.

[AirSpeed]

My 72 turns VERY sharp to the left but hardly much to the right. My drag link needs to be adjusted. I have been driving it like this for a couple years and got kinda used to it but I need to adjust it, kinda a pain to park or maneuver a busy parking lot. I've been wondering if they are supposed to turn equally or a little more one way or the other?
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[midniteblues]

boy I stared at your pics and couldnt see anything wrong except your tires definitly dont turn far enough.
but then I went out too look at my 72 parts frame and if you ask me I think there is something amiss in your tierods.
here some pics to compare too now granted there is no ps box on here but look at the length differance in the rods

[GMCJOE]

I stared at it for about an hour myself, trying to figure out what was wrong too. Though, I can't go out and look at my truck cause of where I am at right now. But I was thinking the same thing, I am pretty sure all 4 tierods are the same length on your set up. One on each side should be shorter. That is the only problem I can see from the pictures. I have much wider tires on mine and have a great turning radius. Better than any of the newer vehicles I have driven.

[cris well]

I see the difference in inner tie rod end legnths in midniteblues' pics.

I think it still has the 68 center drag link and I used 68 tie rod ends also (inner and outer).

I know that I was supposed to get a custom outer tie rod end with opposite threads for the disc spindles but I didn't.

[geezer#99]

His draglink is longer. His tierods are shorter. But it don't matter. He still goes down the road straight. Same as if his tierods were longer and his draglink was shorter.
I think he needs a shorter pitman arm on the steering box.

[lolife99]

71-72 centerlink is different.
71-72 inner tie rods and outer tie rods are different.
71-72 balljoints are different.

If you are going to use 71-72 spindles you HAVE to change the other parts,... or adapt correctly to them.
You have an accident waiting to happen there.

[cris well]

lolife99--Yes I read through your directions when I was putting the tie rod ends on. I found out my new 71 inner tie-rods wouldn't fit in the 68 center drag link so I went to 68's then the threads were different on the 71 outers so just went with all 68 stuff like the PO had it.

I really didn't know what all he had changed on it when I got it (still don't).

He had been driving it like that for years and I had it aligned with the 68 tie-rods with no problem. The 68 outer studs are smaller in diameter than the 71's but they still seated tightly in the disc spindles with no slack.



geezer#99--I think you are right about the pitman arm. I looked it up and Moog lists a different one for 68 and 71. Are the steering boxes the same for 68 and 71? I'm not sure which one the PO used.

[midniteblues]

he right it is the center link it is a differnt size.
I assumed(gulp)when i read 71-72 power steering swap that it was all swapped sure look like it and somehow differnt rods were used.

those tie rods should be sloppy in the spindle how could they align it?

[cris well]

midniteblues--I had forgotten everything I went through when I put the tie-rod ends on it about a year ago.

I thought he had changed everything from the 71 but I found out differently.

Yea you would think the 68 outers would be sloppy in the disc spindles but they are nice and tight. I guess they just seat down further than they are supposed to in the drum spindles as the studs get bigger the further up you go. I still had plenty of threads left on the stud also.

[502ms]

I would fix it ASAP. For the record, my 72 makes tight turns, just like my Bimmers. Pretty impressive for a 40 year old truck! U-turns, parking in tight spots, parallel parking = a breeze.
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[Billett]

Hope you guys don't mind but I may throw up a few pics of mine too to see if you can help me. I'm having a similar problem right now. I had a 99 s10 with the turning radius of an aircraft carrier that I could parallel park no problem, but I just can't seem to do it with the 68 and I have no idea why. My biggest problem is that this thing used to be a shop truck, so it was fixed like a shop truck. I have no idea what year any of the parts are and if they match up to each other...

[cris well]

Sure go ahead.

Maybe it will help me and others as well.

[Billett]

Haven't forgotten about this thread, just been busy. I'm thinking the power steering box may be involved. It feels really light and loose at speed. I constantly have to keep correcting to keep it in my lane and there is maybe an inch of play in either direction in the wheel before it starts turning the tires. Also, I have to check my brakes since I always pull towards the right when I brake too hard. I'm assuming something is wrong with the left side, but I don't know if that would affect steering or not.