need help on steering on 71K20 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kxnomore · 05-08-2007, 11:55 PM

Does anyone have any ideas on why my drivers front leaf spring is pushed side to side when I turn the wheel. It seems to kind of start to bind the steering gear and then lift the truck a little, and then the front of the leaf moves over to the right, clunks, and then the wheel turns. It goes back when you release the wheel.

PO was an idiot, (even more than usual), so I can't trust that any part is good.

This can't be right though.

Here's some close up pics of the steering gear.

Thanks in advance!

Big D · 05-09-2007, 12:15 AM

Are you sure your spring and shackle bushings are in good shape? I had a Jeep years ago that was doing the same thing. A set of poly bushings made a big difference.

The springs should not move much side to side, It could be causing your sterring linkage to bind.

kxnomore · 05-09-2007, 12:17 AM

They're moving around at least 1/2". How tight are they supposed to be? What's the best way to test?

**special-K** · 05-09-2007, 07:15 AM

I`ve had spring eye bushings go bad,urethane from lift kit.I had the same symptom.Shouldn`t move.

05-08-2007, 11:55 PM	#1
kxnomore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CA Posts: 331	need help on steering on 71K20 Does anyone have any ideas on why my drivers front leaf spring is pushed side to side when I turn the wheel. It seems to kind of start to bind the steering gear and then lift the truck a little, and then the front of the leaf moves over to the right, clunks, and then the wheel turns. It goes back when you release the wheel. PO was an idiot, (even more than usual), so I can't trust that any part is good. This can't be right though. Here's some close up pics of the steering gear. Thanks in advance! Attached Images

05-09-2007, 12:15 AM	#2
Big D Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dunlap, IL Posts: 308	Re: need help on steering on 71K20 Are you sure your spring and shackle bushings are in good shape? I had a Jeep years ago that was doing the same thing. A set of poly bushings made a big difference. The springs should not move much side to side, It could be causing your sterring linkage to bind. __________________ 68 GMC 64 1/2 Mustang convert A bachelor's life is no life for a single man." - Samuel Goldwyn

05-09-2007, 12:17 AM	#3
kxnomore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CA Posts: 331	Re: need help on steering on 71K20 They're moving around at least 1/2". How tight are they supposed to be? What's the best way to test?

05-09-2007, 07:15 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: need help on steering on 71K20 I`ve had spring eye bushings go bad,urethane from lift kit.I had the same symptom.Shouldn`t move. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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