Sloppy Stearing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RunTMCfan · 10-17-2005, 05:16 PM

I have a pretty clean 72K5 but the stearing is pretty sloppy. My 74' 3/4 ton 4x4 stears like a dream cause the original owner rebuilt all of it. I am not interensted in rebuilding my entire front end. I am looking for few tips on getting a nice crisp stearing blazer though.

Thanks in advance.

Rob

LUV2XCLR8 · 10-17-2005, 05:33 PM

Mines completely rebuilt also, sorry I can't help, but someone else will jump in soon

vtblazer · 10-17-2005, 06:34 PM

Not real complicated front tends on these trucks.

Take the time and check over each part on it's own.
The culprit(s) will soon show itself.

Possibly even your steering box.
That can also be tightened up.

Invest some time and effort, you shouldn't need to rebuild the entire front end.

Welcome to the board, enjoy.

bouncytruck · 10-17-2005, 06:39 PM

How does the rag joint look. Check your ball joints, tie rod ends, alignment, etc. Is the truck lifted? If so, does it have a lifted steering arm and/or a drop pitman?

RunTMCfan · 10-17-2005, 11:35 PM

Screw it I'll just rebuild it!!! Just kidding but sometimes that's my attitude. I'd rather just know sometimes that everything will hold up. You know after 30 years I bet the front end could use a rebuild...

Rob

krue · 10-18-2005, 12:27 AM

If you can afford it, it won't be money wasted.

sdredneck · 10-18-2005, 03:05 PM

Sometimes if you are going from a truck with a longer wheelbase to a blazer it may feel like the steering is a little sloppy, especially if you are lifted. I know that mine felt like that and I went from a 76 1/2 ton shordbed chevy to a 72 lifted blazer and the front end has already been pretty much rebuilt. I live in Paradise Hills if you want to check mine out for comparison.

70cst10 · 10-28-2005, 10:48 AM

Where could I find a new steering arm for a lifted truck? I assume you mean the pittman arm? The PO of my 71 K5 lifted the body 3 inches, but didn't change the arm.

Jason915 · 10-28-2005, 11:04 AM

A body lift wouldn't need a pittman arm. Go under the Blazer and have some one in the drivers seat turning the wheel 1/2 turn both ways and look for the play. I did this and found my steering box was loose from the frame

bouncytruck · 10-28-2005, 11:52 AM

Ditch the body lift and get a suspension lift.

You can buy steering arms for trucks with 4-6" of lift. There are also drop pitman arms, but I'm not sure what amount of lift they fit. Here is a steering arm from SUPERLIFT

70cst10 · 10-28-2005, 12:33 PM

I guess that's not my problem, then. I had a friend turn the wheel while I looked around underneath a while back. I noticed the u-bolts holding the axle to the leafs on the driver's side were loose. that cured a hell of a lot of play. The blazer is fine when going straight, but when you first turn the wheel to either side, it doesn't have much effect. I thought maybe that was because of the lift. By the way, what is "bump steer"?

I do want to get rid of the body lift. Could I keep it at stock height with 33" tires on 10" rims?

10-17-2005, 05:16 PM	#1
RunTMCfan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 251	Sloppy Stearing I have a pretty clean 72K5 but the stearing is pretty sloppy. My 74' 3/4 ton 4x4 stears like a dream cause the original owner rebuilt all of it. I am not interensted in rebuilding my entire front end. I am looking for few tips on getting a nice crisp stearing blazer though. Thanks in advance. Rob

10-17-2005, 05:33 PM	#2
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,477	Re: Sloppy Stearing Mines completely rebuilt also, sorry I can't help, but someone else will jump in soon __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

10-17-2005, 06:34 PM	#3
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Re: Sloppy Stearing Not real complicated front tends on these trucks. Take the time and check over each part on it's own. The culprit(s) will soon show itself. Possibly even your steering box. That can also be tightened up. Invest some time and effort, you shouldn't need to rebuild the entire front end. Welcome to the board, enjoy. Last edited by vtblazer; 10-17-2005 at 06:35 PM.

10-17-2005, 06:39 PM	#4
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: Sloppy Stearing How does the rag joint look. Check your ball joints, tie rod ends, alignment, etc. Is the truck lifted? If so, does it have a lifted steering arm and/or a drop pitman? __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

10-17-2005, 11:35 PM	#5
RunTMCfan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 251	Re: Sloppy Stearing Screw it I'll just rebuild it!!! Just kidding but sometimes that's my attitude. I'd rather just know sometimes that everything will hold up. You know after 30 years I bet the front end could use a rebuild... Rob

10-18-2005, 12:27 AM	#6
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Sloppy Stearing If you can afford it, it won't be money wasted. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-18-2005, 03:05 PM	#7
sdredneck The Crazy Kracka Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 60	Re: Sloppy Stearing Sometimes if you are going from a truck with a longer wheelbase to a blazer it may feel like the steering is a little sloppy, especially if you are lifted. I know that mine felt like that and I went from a 76 1/2 ton shordbed chevy to a 72 lifted blazer and the front end has already been pretty much rebuilt. I live in Paradise Hills if you want to check mine out for comparison. __________________ My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am. 68 GMC LWB 396 BBC Camper Special 72 Chevy Blazer 4x4 with 406 SBC 73 Dodge Dart Sport with 340

10-28-2005, 10:48 AM	#8
70cst10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Gaston, SC Posts: 580	Re: Sloppy Stearing Where could I find a new steering arm for a lifted truck? I assume you mean the pittman arm? The PO of my 71 K5 lifted the body 3 inches, but didn't change the arm. __________________ Milan 1964 Chevelle SS 283/M20

10-28-2005, 11:04 AM	#9
Jason915 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 693	Re: Sloppy Stearing A body lift wouldn't need a pittman arm. Go under the Blazer and have some one in the drivers seat turning the wheel 1/2 turn both ways and look for the play. I did this and found my steering box was loose from the frame __________________ 1971 GMC K1500 SWB Fleetside, 4" skyjacker softride and, 14 Bolt FF, HD Dana 44 4.10's 1970 K5 TBI conversion lifted etc SOLD 1968 C20 camper truck SOLD “To ban guns because criminals use them is to tell the innocent and law-abiding that their rights and liberties depend not on their own conduct, but on the conduct of the guilty and the lawless.” Jeff Snyder

10-28-2005, 11:52 AM	#10
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: Sloppy Stearing Ditch the body lift and get a suspension lift. You can buy steering arms for trucks with 4-6" of lift. There are also drop pitman arms, but I'm not sure what amount of lift they fit. Here is a steering arm from SUPERLIFT __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L Last edited by bouncytruck; 10-28-2005 at 11:53 AM.

10-28-2005, 12:33 PM	#11
70cst10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Gaston, SC Posts: 580	Re: Sloppy Stearing I guess that's not my problem, then. I had a friend turn the wheel while I looked around underneath a while back. I noticed the u-bolts holding the axle to the leafs on the driver's side were loose. that cured a hell of a lot of play. The blazer is fine when going straight, but when you first turn the wheel to either side, it doesn't have much effect. I thought maybe that was because of the lift. By the way, what is "bump steer"? I do want to get rid of the body lift. Could I keep it at stock height with 33" tires on 10" rims? __________________ Milan 1964 Chevelle SS 283/M20 Last edited by 70cst10; 10-28-2005 at 12:34 PM.



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