1972 wondering around the road while driving.

[Roadkillerv8]

Hey guys i've got a 1972 gmc 4x4 that tends to wonder a tiny bit while im driving. I had a guy look under it and he showed me that when the wheels are turned back and forth the core support moves just a small bit. He said that i should have the rivits busted out and replaced with bolts since one is starting to move a little bit. He mentioned a few other things it could be that i'll have to take it to an alinement shop for but i figured some of you guys could answer the core support part for me? The frame has not cracked where it flexes yet so im in luck there. Just curious on what you guys think i should do.

[special-K]

I wonder about the road while driving, too. Will there be any obstructions? Does it go where I need it to go? Will the bridge around the next bend be washed out? When will they repave it? How much do companies charge per mile to paint the stripes. Stuff like that.

Oh, you meant "wander". I have had plenty of that, too. I can only think of the frame cracked at the steering box, but you say no cracks. I don't know how frame rivets could wear loose, but a bolt won't hold any better. Holes would need to be enlarged since they are wallowed-out. I would make sure it was racked straight and weld the crossmember before removing rivets and bolting.

[joeydurango]

The list of things to check is long - steering gear box, ball joints, tie rod ends, drag link, intermediate shaft coupler, rag joint, alignment, frame, maybe some more I'm forgetting. I'm fixing this on my truck right now. New Redhead steering gear box, rebuilt the coupler, new ball joints. Tie rod ends and rag joint are pretty fresh already. One thing I added on my last K10, and have waiting for install on the current one, is the steering box brace from ORD, Off Road Designs, in Carbondale, CO. Works wonders, keeps any of that flex from happening. Often have to re-route brake lines, though.

I guess what I'm saying is, on a 44-year-old truck, it could be lots of other things besides the rivets in the crossmember.

[hamjet]

Although its usually my mind that wanders, I have noticed alot of time mine wanders due to the condition of the road, (gulleys where the road sinks from where the constant traffic runs,) on a good concrete road if it wanders then it definatly the vehicle..

[Kell]

Just sounds like toe-in to me, get your buddy to help you measure it, then crank it in if needed (most likely), simple. Or take it to an alignment shop and bend over.

Plus you have big honkin' tires.....

[mike16]

didnt the Beatles sing a song about wondering?

[swamp rat]

My truck improved a great deal when i rebuilt the front axle about 2 years ago, but it still wanders a little, i replaced the steering box about 6 years ago and that didn't help much. Check all that has been mentioned above. I talked to a guy at a local tire shop about this same issue, he does front end alignments and rebuilds too, he asked me to rock the steering wheel while he looked at it, he said that my rivets in the front driver side spring mount were getting loose. I haven't driven the truck enough to care to deal with it yet as i'm doing rust repair.

Simply put get a buddy to move the steering wheel for you while your under the truck looking at it, look for any flexing and do what needs to be done to fix it, even if it means cutting the rivets and replacing with bolts, just be sure to use Grade 8 bolts and lock tite.

[special-K]

With all brand new perfect steering parts the truck will still wander if the frame is racking, which is what his buddy observed already.