Poor handling at speeds? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Pont406 · 02-20-2012, 02:49 AM

Ok, it's 69c10 that I converted to 71-72 front disc brakes with stock parts. Stops better but due to low vacuum 12-14", hydroboost is on it's way soon. Now at high speed around 75-80mph and above steering is too sensitive. After making a fast lane change it will need a correction. Anything at 70 and below handles great. I think it will need a front sway bar, possible rebuilt steering gear box and recalibrated p/s pump. Right now pump is out 78 T/A. So, which repair will get me the most? Just trying to make this truck handle a little better before I hook a trailer to it. Thanks

**passthebuck** · 02-20-2012, 04:00 AM

Sway bar should be #1, hands down. & it's cheap and easy. That changed the handling big-time in my truck. Get an 1 1/4" one & they are most easily found on 73-87 tow trucks & the like. Later on I got a box from AGR & they put a good thick torsion bar in there that took a lot of the twitchiness out of the front end.

Hubscrub · 02-20-2012, 08:29 AM

a sway bar makes a good improvement for cheap you can find one in the junkyards off up to like a 87 model to work, also check to see that you center link is installed correctly i made that mistake and it will make it swimmy while driving at all or high speeds (I've done it twice)

blkcorvair · 02-20-2012, 09:14 AM

Make sure your alignment is on. I believe too toed out can give you that loose feeling.

midniteblues · 02-20-2012, 11:32 AM

I to made the mistake of the center link till i found info on this site funny how it can be installed backwards an still work just not well maybe the swaybar and a steering damper along with a good alignment should fix any of the swimmingness

PanelDeland · 02-20-2012, 12:56 PM

You might also check out a 73 up steering box.I swapped in a 3 1/2 or so box for my manual and it seems to be the best choice.Mak ure it's centered also.If it's a spline or so off on the steering box shaft it cn cause twitchyness.

Autoblueprint · 02-20-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pont406

So, which repair will get me the most? Just trying to make this truck handle a little better before I hook a trailer to it. Thanks

Go with H.D. Front and Rear sway bars first, these make a big improvement.

Pont406 · 02-20-2012, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

a sway bar makes a good improvement for cheap you can find one in the junkyards off up to like a 87 model to work, also check to see that you center link is installed correctly i made that mistake and it will make it swimmy while driving at all or high speeds (I've done it twice)

Now I'm not sure about center link. I hope not.

Hubscrub · 02-21-2012, 01:34 PM

Looks right from what I can tell

Posted via Mobile Device

Pont406 · 03-05-2012, 05:24 PM

My local pick a part has a lot of 73 and up trucks. Will this set up work on 69 c10? Sway bar brackets are riveted. No power tools are allowed. What's the easiest way to get them off? Cold chiesel?

Hubscrub · 03-06-2012, 01:26 PM

I just bought me some from early classic enterprises the ones for lowerd trucks they sit higher I've seen a few on here just bolt to the frame itself
Posted via Mobile Device

**passthebuck** · 03-07-2012, 04:31 PM

The brackets can be removed with a sharp cold chisel, but it will be a lot of work. You might want to look into new brackets.

02-20-2012, 04:00 AM	#2
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Re: Poor handling at speeds? Sway bar should be #1, hands down. & it's cheap and easy. That changed the handling big-time in my truck. Get an 1 1/4" one & they are most easily found on 73-87 tow trucks & the like. Later on I got a box from AGR & they put a good thick torsion bar in there that took a lot of the twitchiness out of the front end. __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

02-20-2012, 08:29 AM	#3
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: Poor handling at speeds? a sway bar makes a good improvement for cheap you can find one in the junkyards off up to like a 87 model to work, also check to see that you center link is installed correctly i made that mistake and it will make it swimmy while driving at all or high speeds (I've done it twice) __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14

02-20-2012, 09:14 AM	#4
blkcorvair Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 787	Re: Poor handling at speeds? Make sure your alignment is on. I believe too toed out can give you that loose feeling.

02-20-2012, 11:32 AM	#5
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: Poor handling at speeds? I to made the mistake of the center link till i found info on this site funny how it can be installed backwards an still work just not well maybe the swaybar and a steering damper along with a good alignment should fix any of the swimmingness __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

02-20-2012, 12:56 PM	#6
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Poor handling at speeds? You might also check out a 73 up steering box.I swapped in a 3 1/2 or so box for my manual and it seems to be the best choice.Mak ure it's centered also.If it's a spline or so off on the steering box shaft it cn cause twitchyness. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

02-20-2012, 02:49 AM	#1
Pont406 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: West Hills, California Posts: 679	Poor handling at speeds? Ok, it's 69c10 that I converted to 71-72 front disc brakes with stock parts. Stops better but due to low vacuum 12-14", hydroboost is on it's way soon. Now at high speed around 75-80mph and above steering is too sensitive. After making a fast lane change it will need a correction. Anything at 70 and below handles great. I think it will need a front sway bar, possible rebuilt steering gear box and recalibrated p/s pump. Right now pump is out 78 T/A. So, which repair will get me the most? Just trying to make this truck handle a little better before I hook a trailer to it. Thanks Attached Images

02-21-2012, 01:34 PM	#9
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: Poor handling at speeds? Looks right from what I can tell Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14

03-05-2012, 05:24 PM	#10
Pont406 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: West Hills, California Posts: 679	Re: Poor handling at speeds? My local pick a part has a lot of 73 and up trucks. Will this set up work on 69 c10? Sway bar brackets are riveted. No power tools are allowed. What's the easiest way to get them off? Cold chiesel? Attached Images

03-06-2012, 01:26 PM	#11
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: Poor handling at speeds? I just bought me some from early classic enterprises the ones for lowerd trucks they sit higher I've seen a few on here just bolt to the frame itself Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14

03-07-2012, 04:31 PM	#12
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Re: Poor handling at speeds? The brackets can be removed with a sharp cold chisel, but it will be a lot of work. You might want to look into new brackets. __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

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