Do I need a new steering box?

[ben@speedbarn]

my 76 k2500 won't pass inspection because of it's steering problems. If I turn the steering wheel full to the left and then back to where center should be the wheels point to the left a little. Likewise if I then turn the steering wheel to the right and then back to center the wheels are turned slightly to the right. I have replaced all tierods and my ball joints are fine. i have a 4inch lift spring on the front along with a raised steering arm so the tierods are close to parralel with the ground. I can't see slop anywhere but it seems like while turning the steering wheel the rate at which the wheels turn is not very smooth.

The steering box is tight and frame isn't cracked. The ubolts are tight and centerpin is in the axel correctly.

Would a worn out steering box cause this? I can't think of anything else.

Also when turning left to right the front of my truck lifts and lowers as I turn the wheel.

Thanks for the help.

[79BIG10]

Have you tightened up the slack in the box? If you look from the front of the truck down on top of the box you will see a nut with a allen head screw in the middle of it. Loosen the nut and tighten the allen head 1/8 to 1/4 turn. A little turn goes along way on this. This will help get the slack out of the box.

On the turning and lifting I'm not sure but I would have someone turn the wheel while you look under.

[ben@speedbarn]

Thanks for the Ideas. I will try tightening up that nut. I tried it before when I had a different problem and it didn't really help out so I put it back where it was. It may help this problem though. As for looking underneath...I've had a bunch of people do that to see what is loose or moving that shouldn't. Nothing seems to be loose but it seems that when it steers that it wants to push the axel back and forth when it is steering. Seems that it is putting pressure on the spring causing it to lift or compress.

[mhicks]

A little bit will go a long way on that adjustment. You will know if you go too much. Just turn it a little at a time and drive it between adjustments.

[ben@speedbarn]

Does anyone have a schematic of what that adjustment actually does? Like an exploded view of the box? Just curious.

[mhicks]

Is it legal to make a copy out of a shop manual and post it on here?

[ben@speedbarn]

I don't know. If you feel more comfortable you could email it to me bjbishop@uss.com

[mhicks]

Emailed to you. I think I will try and also post them here.

[ben@speedbarn]

Thanks!

[msgross]

do you have aftermarket wheels? Incorrect backspacing will mess with your turning geometry. Could cause the lifting while turning....

[ben@speedbarn]

Stock wheels with 33x12.50s

[79BIG10]

Originally Posted by mhicks

Is it legal to make a copy out of a shop manual and post it on here?

I've done it before it's no problem

[PHOENIX]

Originally Posted by 79BIG10

Have you tightened up the slack in the box? If you look from the front of the truck down on top of the box you will see a nut with a allen head screw in the middle of it. Loosen the nut and tighten the allen head 1/8 to 1/4 turn. A little turn goes along way on this. This will help get the slack out of the box.

The problem I have is not big, but it bothers me a little.
There is a little more slop in the steering wheel then I prefer.
If I adjust this allen screw I can take that slop out?
I guess what I am trying to say is there is a little more free play in the steering wheel before the wheels start to turn. This can fix that?

[79BIG10]

Eddie yeah this will fix that. Just make sure to do a little bit like 1/8 to 1/4 turn and no more. Drive it and see what it does. I did it and made a world of difference after the front end rebuild.

[chevyfan420]

Originally Posted by ben@speedbarn

Also when turning left to right the front of my truck lifts and lowers as I turn the wheel.

Thanks for the help.

My 80 K10 does the same thing. I just assumed they all did that.

[ben@speedbarn]

Well since I started this post I have dropped my swaybar and made new mounts for it. I also changed the steering box and still no difference. I'm really at a loss here. No body that has looked at it can really understand it.

[79BIG10]

It's strange that it's still doing it. I would call a 4x4 place in your area and see if they've heard of it.

[67chevy2wd]

Originally Posted by PHOENIX

The problem I have is not big, but it bothers me a little.
There is a little more slop in the steering wheel then I prefer.
If I adjust this allen screw I can take that slop out?
I guess what I am trying to say is there is a little more free play in the steering wheel before the wheels start to turn. This can fix that?

Adjusting the screw should fix your problem.

Could ben@speedbarn's problem be in the shaft from the steering wheel to the steering box. Isn't there a joint in there and if that was lose wouldn't that cause this also? I have never had a steering box from a pickup apart, are they anything like one a semi truck?

[ben@speedbarn]

I don't think it is the steering shaft. I've checked the ragjoint(where the steering shaft and box connect) and it is tight with no slop. I also held the shaft near the box with a pipe wrench and turned the steering wheel to see if there was any twisting/slack in the shaft...but there was none.

[tedbick]

do you really need a different steering arm with only a 4 inch lift?when your driving after a turn does the steering wheel go back to center on its own.sounds to me like something is binding if the front feels like it is lifting off the ground,i dont have or ever had a locker do you have one could that affect this.do you have the original rear in there sounds like a camber problem possibly.i am no expert at all just thinking of some ideas

[scotto0609]

I know it sounds obvious,but bad steering stabilizer?