stiffening up my sterring - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

marks1972 · 07-20-2010, 04:35 PM

any suggestions out there on stiffening up my sterring.

capev86 · 07-20-2010, 04:48 PM

do you have play in the steering? there "may" be an adjustment to limit play but more likely it could be a tie-rod that needs replacing.

Lee H · 07-20-2010, 04:56 PM

The steering is loose because it has some warn out parts. Get under there and try to find the looseness. Have someone turn the steering wheel a little (with engine off) and see the areas that have play. Specific areas to look at include the ball joints, tie rod ends, pitman and idler arms, A arms, steering box. If you can't do it take it to an alignment shop and have them evaluate it. Only a few bucks to let you know what's wrong and you can decide what you can comfortably do and what you need a pro for and when. Many of these old trucks have not had the best of lives and are in need for some R&R. Probably just the normal stuff like tie rod ends and idler arm. Also a good front end alignment can make these truck track right and reduce the wandering effect often associated with warn out parts.

longhorn70gmc · 07-20-2010, 05:59 PM

I just replaced my Steering Rag Joint or Coupling and it is stiffer now. Good Luck on your troubleshooting.

marks1972 · 07-20-2010, 09:02 PM

sorry i didnt specify. its not that it has a lot of play in the stering wheel. it turns really easy.

Sammy · 07-20-2010, 09:55 PM

If you want it stiffer go back to manual steering. A few times parking in a tight spot in 100 degree weather you will be reinstalling your P/S stuff.

gkesseru · 07-20-2010, 09:58 PM

Then how about an off-road steering shock absorber? When I bought my 68 it had one from Rancho on it.

marks1972 · 07-20-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy

If you want it stiffer go back to manual steering. A few times parking in a tight spot in 100 degree weather you will be reinstalling your P/S stuff.

i dont want it that stiff.

*72lb4x4* · 07-20-2010, 11:11 PM

Various late model steering boxes required more effort to turn, but there were changes in input shaft diameter, turns lock to lock, internal parts that impact turn radius, and the hydraulic fittings.

My guess is that a car box is is externally the same as a 2x4 truck box but you'll need to check.

The box from some years of Grand Cherokee are known to be a bolt in for Chevelles.

You can buy a new box that's set up right from various places, but they aren't cheap. If you don't want to spend a bunch of money, it may be time to start searching the internet for options.

07-20-2010, 04:35 PM	#1
marks1972 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Atoka, TN Posts: 240	stiffening up my sterring any suggestions out there on stiffening up my sterring. __________________ Mark 1968 C-10 SWB 307/munci 4spd/411possi 1986-1990 1972 Cheyenne-10 LWB 350/TH350 IF SHE WHOULD HAVE KEEPT THE SHIRT ON THEY WOULDNT HAVE BROKEN UP THANKS ADAM SANDLER U. S. Navy Seabee "CAN DO", "The difficult we do at once. The impossible may take a little bit longer.","We Build We Fight", "Work Hard Play Hard"

07-20-2010, 04:48 PM	#2
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	Re: stiffening up my sterring do you have play in the steering? there "may" be an adjustment to limit play but more likely it could be a tie-rod that needs replacing.

07-20-2010, 04:56 PM	#3
Lee H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 4,147	Re: stiffening up my sterring The steering is loose because it has some warn out parts. Get under there and try to find the looseness. Have someone turn the steering wheel a little (with engine off) and see the areas that have play. Specific areas to look at include the ball joints, tie rod ends, pitman and idler arms, A arms, steering box. If you can't do it take it to an alignment shop and have them evaluate it. Only a few bucks to let you know what's wrong and you can decide what you can comfortably do and what you need a pro for and when. Many of these old trucks have not had the best of lives and are in need for some R&R. Probably just the normal stuff like tie rod ends and idler arm. Also a good front end alignment can make these truck track right and reduce the wandering effect often associated with warn out parts. __________________ 1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703

07-20-2010, 05:59 PM	#4
longhorn70gmc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ridgecrest. CA, USA Posts: 1,715	Re: stiffening up my sterring I just replaced my Steering Rag Joint or Coupling and it is stiffer now. Good Luck on your troubleshooting. __________________ Billy 1970 GMC Sierra Grande 402/TH400 (Longhorn)14 years and counting rebuild! 1975 (Build) Chevrolet SWB 4X4 350 SB Lifted 6 inches 1970 Ford F250 Ranger 390 BB 2010 Ford Super Duty F250 XLT W/4 inch lift kit and Pro Comp Tires Hub Cap Freak! *I need another truck like I need another hole in the head!* I'M IN THE MARKET...AS IT WERE!

07-20-2010, 09:02 PM	#5
marks1972 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Atoka, TN Posts: 240	Re: stiffening up my sterring sorry i didnt specify. its not that it has a lot of play in the stering wheel. it turns really easy. __________________ Mark 1968 C-10 SWB 307/munci 4spd/411possi 1986-1990 1972 Cheyenne-10 LWB 350/TH350 IF SHE WHOULD HAVE KEEPT THE SHIRT ON THEY WOULDNT HAVE BROKEN UP THANKS ADAM SANDLER U. S. Navy Seabee "CAN DO", "The difficult we do at once. The impossible may take a little bit longer.","We Build We Fight", "Work Hard Play Hard"

07-20-2010, 09:55 PM	#6
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: stiffening up my sterring If you want it stiffer go back to manual steering. A few times parking in a tight spot in 100 degree weather you will be reinstalling your P/S stuff. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

07-20-2010, 09:58 PM	#7
gkesseru Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 544	Re: stiffening up my sterring Then how about an off-road steering shock absorber? When I bought my 68 it had one from Rancho on it. __________________ 72 Fleet (died) 78 Step (sold) 55 Step named Fred (sold) 00 F150 68 Step (named El Scorcho by PO) Build thread for the new El Scorcho http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392932

07-20-2010, 11:11 PM	#9
72lb4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 1,427	Re: stiffening up my sterring Various late model steering boxes required more effort to turn, but there were changes in input shaft diameter, turns lock to lock, internal parts that impact turn radius, and the hydraulic fittings. My guess is that a car box is is externally the same as a 2x4 truck box but you'll need to check. The box from some years of Grand Cherokee are known to be a bolt in for Chevelles. You can buy a new box that's set up right from various places, but they aren't cheap. If you don't want to spend a bunch of money, it may be time to start searching the internet for options.

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