Front tires skid during low speed turns - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**DANTIP** · 06-10-2016, 02:00 PM

I test-drove a nice '72 1/2-ton 2WD and it drove straight as an arrow but seemed to bind hard in a low-speed turn (like turning into a parking spot). I wonder if it could have the wrong pitman arm or steering gear??

P.S. It wasn't turning sharper than it should have when it began binding and skidding.

n33k0 · 06-10-2016, 02:06 PM

My truck does this, so I'm curious what the cause is as well. I know the front shocks are worn out, so I thought that was what was causing the problem, but I'm not sure.

cleszkie · 06-10-2016, 02:31 PM

Sound like too much toe-in. Truck will drive straight, but outer tire will under steer in turns, causing it to scrub.

mike16 · 06-10-2016, 07:36 PM

check front end alignment. Or air pressure in tires

poway · 06-10-2016, 08:46 PM

when I rebuilt my front end on my 68 truck I encountered the same problem. I had the drag link on backwards. Drove straight just fine but the front tires scrubbed in turns. it was especially noticeable when I made sharp turns at low speeds. Putting the drag link on correctly remedied the problem. Just a thought.

**DANTIP** · 06-12-2016, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poway

when I rebuilt my front end on my 68 truck I encountered the same problem. I had the drag link on backwards. Drove straight just fine but the front tires scrubbed in turns. it was especially noticeable when I made sharp turns at low speeds. Putting the drag link on correctly remedied the problem. Just a thought.

That was it! Your suggestion along with these pics confirmed the centerlink is on backward! Good catch!!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=400205

Dan

davepl · 06-12-2016, 12:01 PM

I was going to say "Ackerman angles" but that's quite a catch to pick it up and diagnose the centerlink from the symptoms!

Just goes to show what collective knowledge is worth when people are paying attention. Thanks poway!

tdangle · 06-12-2016, 07:20 PM

I would like to understand this. I will be rebuilding the front end this summer and want to make sure I put everything back on correctly. By drag link do you mean the center link (bar) that connects the two tie rod ends and the steering link and the idler link? How can this be put on backwards? Pictures would be great.

Thanks

trkfrk · 06-12-2016, 08:38 PM

I made the same mistake when I put my front end together. It's an easy mistake to make. I posted a picture of my new a-arms on my build and someone noticed it.

trkfrk · 06-12-2016, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdangle

I would like to understand this. I will be rebuilding the front end this summer and want to make sure I put everything back on correctly. By drag link do you mean the center link (bar) that connects the two tie rod ends and the steering link and the idler link? How can this be put on backwards? Pictures would be great.

Thanks

Yes, it can go on either way without rubbing anything. See pic. The inner tie rod end nut should be facing out.

tdangle · 06-12-2016, 11:55 PM

OK, Got it now! Thanks for the clarification and pic

midniteblues · 06-13-2016, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trkfrk

Yes, it can go on either way without rubbing anything. See pic. The inner tie rod end nut should be facing out.

I'm not real familiar with tubular control arms.
But upper stock arms the ball joint sits on top of the arm. That's the first I've ever see them on the bottom of the arm.

It's just too easy too bolt that center link on wrong. Been there done that.

06-10-2016, 02:00 PM	#1
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,889	Front tires skid during low speed turns I test-drove a nice '72 1/2-ton 2WD and it drove straight as an arrow but seemed to bind hard in a low-speed turn (like turning into a parking spot). I wonder if it could have the wrong pitman arm or steering gear?? P.S. It wasn't turning sharper than it should have when it began binding and skidding.

06-10-2016, 02:06 PM	#2
n33k0 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 184	Re: Front tires skid during low speed turns My truck does this, so I'm curious what the cause is as well. I know the front shocks are worn out, so I thought that was what was causing the problem, but I'm not sure. __________________ Nick 1972 Chevrolet C10 Stepside

06-10-2016, 02:31 PM	#3
cleszkie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Santa Ana, CA Posts: 2,191	Re: Front tires skid during low speed turns Sound like too much toe-in. Truck will drive straight, but outer tire will under steer in turns, causing it to scrub.

06-10-2016, 07:36 PM	#4
mike16 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: bisbee, arizona Posts: 1,529	Re: Front tires skid during low speed turns check front end alignment. Or air pressure in tires

06-10-2016, 08:46 PM	#5
poway Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Poway, CA Posts: 119	Re: Front tires skid during low speed turns when I rebuilt my front end on my 68 truck I encountered the same problem. I had the drag link on backwards. Drove straight just fine but the front tires scrubbed in turns. it was especially noticeable when I made sharp turns at low speeds. Putting the drag link on correctly remedied the problem. Just a thought.

06-12-2016, 12:01 PM	#7
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Front tires skid during low speed turns I was going to say "Ackerman angles" but that's quite a catch to pick it up and diagnose the centerlink from the symptoms! Just goes to show what collective knowledge is worth when people are paying attention. Thanks poway! __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

06-12-2016, 07:20 PM	#8
tdangle Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,210	Re: Front tires skid during low speed turns I would like to understand this. I will be rebuilding the front end this summer and want to make sure I put everything back on correctly. By drag link do you mean the center link (bar) that connects the two tie rod ends and the steering link and the idler link? How can this be put on backwards? Pictures would be great. Thanks __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

06-12-2016, 08:38 PM	#9
trkfrk Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 969	Re: Front tires skid during low speed turns I made the same mistake when I put my front end together. It's an easy mistake to make. I posted a picture of my new a-arms on my build and someone noticed it. __________________ Mark 1972 C10 SWB LS1/T56 6 speed trans/4:56 posi with 5.5"-7" static drop/Boss 338 Wheels 18"x20" My build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=424609. My first start up http://youtu.be/R899YQ1OcjU

06-12-2016, 11:55 PM	#11
tdangle Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,210	Re: Front tires skid during low speed turns OK, Got it now! Thanks for the clarification and pic __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

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