steering box - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

76bonanza · 01-16-2006, 03:36 PM

Here is my problem my truck pulls to the right, not alignment, not rims or tires. Seems to be the steering gear box. if I lift the front end and start the truck the wheel will move to the right a little.SOOOOOO Someone told me the box may not be centered. Does this sound right? The box was a reman bought about two years ago I did not own truck then so dont know any more about it. So my question is if it is not center right how do I check it or recenter it? (I know nothing about steering boxes so simplified step by step would be nice) Or is this just not what could be wrong?

76bonanza · 01-16-2006, 11:28 PM

No one at all?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 01-17-2006, 10:44 AM

You will want to turn the steering wheel from stop to stop counting the turns of the wheel. When you get the total number of turns, divide by two. Then turn the wheel to one side or the other until you hit the stop. From the stop turn the number of turns that you get from dividing the total turns by two. The box will be centered at that point. Check the wheels to see if they are centered. If they are not centered, the tie rods will need to be adjusted to recenter the box. Unless you are experienced in front end work and have the necessary equipment, I would suggest having a front end guy do the adjusting since you can change the toe-in.

Jim

72 Cheyenne402 · 01-17-2006, 12:40 PM

I would inspect front suspension tie rods

76bonanza · 01-17-2006, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72 Cheyenne402

I would inspect front suspension tie rods

Had all that done when I got it aligned all good.

76bonanza · 01-17-2006, 02:18 PM

Would I do the same if I was installing a new box? Debating weather it would be easier to just get a new box and try it first.

76bonanza · 01-17-2006, 02:32 PM

one other thing would centering the box be part of a reg alignment?

**Green Machine** · 01-17-2006, 04:58 PM

It is possible for the valving in the steering gear box to get messed up causing it to direct more fluid one way than the other. Just for a test, remove the power steering belt and go for a test drive. If the problem clears up, then something is funny in the box, if the pull is still there then the problem is likely not the box.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 01-17-2006, 09:09 PM

The place where we get our alignments always centers the box and steering wheel. I would try the lock to lock check to see if the box is centered with the steering wheel and tires. It is an easy thing to do.

If you replace the box you will still want to check the centering of it.

Jim

01-16-2006, 03:36 PM	#1
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	steering box Here is my problem my truck pulls to the right, not alignment, not rims or tires. Seems to be the steering gear box. if I lift the front end and start the truck the wheel will move to the right a little.SOOOOOO Someone told me the box may not be centered. Does this sound right? The box was a reman bought about two years ago I did not own truck then so dont know any more about it. So my question is if it is not center right how do I check it or recenter it? (I know nothing about steering boxes so simplified step by step would be nice) Or is this just not what could be wrong? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

01-16-2006, 11:28 PM	#2
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Re: steering box No one at all? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

01-17-2006, 10:44 AM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: steering box You will want to turn the steering wheel from stop to stop counting the turns of the wheel. When you get the total number of turns, divide by two. Then turn the wheel to one side or the other until you hit the stop. From the stop turn the number of turns that you get from dividing the total turns by two. The box will be centered at that point. Check the wheels to see if they are centered. If they are not centered, the tie rods will need to be adjusted to recenter the box. Unless you are experienced in front end work and have the necessary equipment, I would suggest having a front end guy do the adjusting since you can change the toe-in. Jim

01-17-2006, 12:40 PM	#4
72 Cheyenne402 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 581	Re: steering box I would inspect front suspension tie rods

01-17-2006, 02:18 PM	#6
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Re: steering box Would I do the same if I was installing a new box? Debating weather it would be easier to just get a new box and try it first. __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

01-17-2006, 02:32 PM	#7
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Re: steering box one other thing would centering the box be part of a reg alignment? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

01-17-2006, 04:58 PM	#8
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: steering box It is possible for the valving in the steering gear box to get messed up causing it to direct more fluid one way than the other. Just for a test, remove the power steering belt and go for a test drive. If the problem clears up, then something is funny in the box, if the pull is still there then the problem is likely not the box. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0 Last edited by Green Machine; 01-17-2006 at 04:58 PM.

01-17-2006, 09:09 PM	#9
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: steering box The place where we get our alignments always centers the box and steering wheel. I would try the lock to lock check to see if the box is centered with the steering wheel and tires. It is an easy thing to do. If you replace the box you will still want to check the centering of it. Jim



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