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

StMartin55 · 02-27-2026, 03:08 PM

My 72 C-10 is a total rebuild, all new front end, Moog tie rod, QA1 fully adjustable upper A arms, new steering gear box, Ididit steering column. Truck has been aligned, but when I drive it I get sway right and left. What can I check/change to fix this issue?

truckster · 02-27-2026, 04:37 PM

You can try tightening up the steering gearbox, but these older vehicles drift a lot more than modern vehicles. How bad is yours? If you're not having to move the steering wheel more than a couple of inches left/right, it's probably in the ballpark.

HO455 · 02-27-2026, 05:28 PM

What are your alignment specs?
Did you do the caster modification when you rebuilt the suspension?
Crawling under the truck and looking at each component while someone moves the steering wheel back and forth can reveal problems like worn center link tapers or bad drag links.

yuccales · 02-28-2026, 10:27 AM

Drag link on backwards? As mentioned above, extra set of eyes looking under there while the wheel is turned is a great idea.

**Sheepdip** · 02-28-2026, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StMartin55

My 72 C-10 is a total rebuild, all new front end, Moog tie rod, QA1 fully adjustable upper A arms, new steering gear box, Ididit steering column. Truck has been aligned, but when I drive it I get sway right and left. What can I check/change to fix this issue?

Rag Joint new?

HO455 · 02-28-2026, 10:56 AM

Verify the center link is installed correctly. It's easy to install it backwards.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=836800

**truckdude239** · 03-03-2026, 04:35 PM

moved to the proper forum

Hidesertchevy · 03-03-2026, 06:18 PM

Did you get a rebuilt or brand new steering gear box?

StMartin55 · 03-04-2026, 12:08 PM

new gear box thanks for the reply.

howzzzit · 03-04-2026, 04:25 PM

You didn't mention replacing ball joints. My 72 also wandered. Had the upper and lower arm bushings replaced, upper and lower ball joints, and an alignment from someone who knows our trucks. Steers easier than my newer cars. No wandering. Before the fix it was constant steering back and forth.

02-27-2026, 03:08 PM	#1
StMartin55 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 4	Sloppy Steering issue My 72 C-10 is a total rebuild, all new front end, Moog tie rod, QA1 fully adjustable upper A arms, new steering gear box, Ididit steering column. Truck has been aligned, but when I drive it I get sway right and left. What can I check/change to fix this issue?

02-27-2026, 04:37 PM	#2
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 8,264	Re: Sloppy Steering issue You can try tightening up the steering gearbox, but these older vehicles drift a lot more than modern vehicles. How bad is yours? If you're not having to move the steering wheel more than a couple of inches left/right, it's probably in the ballpark. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson 1972 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder Turbo convertible 1995 Camaro Z/28

02-27-2026, 05:28 PM	#3
HO455 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 12,406	Re: Sloppy Steering issue What are your alignment specs? Did you do the caster modification when you rebuilt the suspension? Crawling under the truck and looking at each component while someone moves the steering wheel back and forth can reveal problems like worn center link tapers or bad drag links. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

02-28-2026, 10:27 AM	#4
yuccales Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Calif. Posts: 4,046	Re: Sloppy Steering issue Drag link on backwards? As mentioned above, extra set of eyes looking under there while the wheel is turned is a great idea.

02-28-2026, 10:56 AM	#6
HO455 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 12,406	Re: Sloppy Steering issue Verify the center link is installed correctly. It's easy to install it backwards. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=836800 __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

03-03-2026, 04:35 PM	#7
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,259	Re: Sloppy Steering issue moved to the proper forum __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2015 toyota Tacoma Daily 2012 Subura outback 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 420k 1999 honda accord General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

03-03-2026, 06:18 PM	#8
Hidesertchevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: yucca valley Posts: 318	Re: Sloppy Steering issue Did you get a rebuilt or brand new steering gear box?

03-04-2026, 12:08 PM	#9
StMartin55 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 4	Re: Sloppy Steering issue new gear box thanks for the reply.

03-04-2026, 04:25 PM	#10
howzzzit Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 447	Re: Sloppy Steering issue You didn't mention replacing ball joints. My 72 also wandered. Had the upper and lower arm bushings replaced, upper and lower ball joints, and an alignment from someone who knows our trucks. Steers easier than my newer cars. No wandering. Before the fix it was constant steering back and forth. Last edited by howzzzit; 03-04-2026 at 04:40 PM.



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