steering ? lock to lock - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**slepysal** · 02-05-2008, 07:31 AM

I am curiuos as to what your steering is lock to lock. From wheels straight , how many turns of the steering wheel to the right, and to the left?
on my 73 2wd it is 3.5 to the right and 1.5 to the left. I can not see any binding so Im thinking it may be my steering gear not centered?

85X3 · 02-05-2008, 12:40 PM

I believe you have a twisted pitman shaft or need your frame straightened. This is a more common problem with G-Vans when involved in a front impact. With the wheels straight, measure the distance from Idler arm to the pitman arm in both center pivot points ( linkage and gear/frame locations ). Also check for parallel (diagonal measurement from two like locations side to side ) i.e. rad support mounts to front cab mounts. A tram bar works good.If all looks good, you probably need a new/rebuilt gear.

Ivan D. · 02-05-2008, 03:58 PM

Should be the same number from center to either end. If yer wheel wasn't clocked right for whatever reason it should still take the same number of turns, only it won't be sitting straight in the center position. 3.5 on one side and 1.5 on the other is way too huge of a difference, have you noticed if th truck needs more space to make a left turn at full lock compared to a right turn?

**slepysal** · 02-06-2008, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan D.

have you noticed if th truck needs more space to make a left turn at full lock compared to a right turn?

Oh yea some times left turns can be well FUN.

James McClure · 02-06-2008, 03:43 AM

slepy, Take a look at the toe in adjustment sleeves on the tie rods. See if there is an equal or almost equal amount of thread showing on both sides of the sleeve on both sides of the vehicle. Next count # of turns of wheel lock to lock. Divide by 2 and bring wheel back to that number. Don't worry about wheel position just yet. Get out of the truck and look at the pitman arm. It should be dead in line with the center line of the truck. If it isn't, the pitman shaft is twisted. If it is, frame is tweeked. I would take it to your local Chevy store and have them try to align it. They should let you know real quick where the problem is. jim

**slepysal** · 02-06-2008, 04:37 AM

Thanks , looks like my frame is bent !

James McClure · 02-06-2008, 11:12 PM

slep: FIRST thing I want you to do is try to get it aligned!!! I know it's more expensive than a regular front end alignment, but tell them you want a four wheel alignment!! Tell them you want a print out of before and after spec's. I don't have the space here to explain "thrust angle" and what that means to you and your current problem, but listen up, it's important!!! It should be "0", but never is. When you have the spec's in hand post them here and I'll get back to you with your options to fix it. jim

mhicks · 02-07-2008, 05:42 AM

Here is a setup procedure for the steering......Maybe it will help. It is out of a 73 shop manual.
Well, I could only upload one of them. Send me your email address and I will send you the other three.

**slepysal** · 02-07-2008, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhicks

Here is a setup procedure for the steering......Maybe it will help. It is out of a 73 shop manual.
Well, I could only upload one of them. Send me your email address and I will send you the other three.

thanks I'll pm you

mhicks · 02-07-2008, 07:47 AM

PDF files sent.
Mike

**slepysal** · 02-07-2008, 08:42 AM

Thanks !!!

**slepysal** · 02-07-2008, 02:14 PM

Jim , I did find out my front frame (bumper horns )are bent about 2'' to the right . I have a friend who has a body shop and can straigten it out on his frame machine.
I dont know if this will help my steering. I'll keep you posted

**slepysal** · 02-08-2008, 02:59 AM

I also just found out that the PO had installed a tilt colunm out of a diffrent year ( the fire wall mounting plate is diffrent). Could this be installed wrong causing the mis s matched steering ?

mhicks · 02-08-2008, 03:15 AM

I would think that if the column was replaced it would not matter. I think that if the knuckle joint was disconnected the steering wheel would spin forever in either direction. I don't think it has a stop in it. I beleive the steering box stops it when it reaches its maximum travel and that is stopped by the wheels unable to travel any farther.

mhicks · 02-08-2008, 09:45 AM

Sorry, I got home late. From center to left and right I get 1 3/4 turns each way. I hope that helps.
Mike

**slepysal** · 02-08-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhicks

Sorry, I got home late. From center to left and right I get 1 3/4 turns each way. I hope that helps.
Mike

Thanks Mike ! I'll let you all know what happens

02-05-2008, 07:31 AM	#1
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	steering ? lock to lock I am curiuos as to what your steering is lock to lock. From wheels straight , how many turns of the steering wheel to the right, and to the left? on my 73 2wd it is 3.5 to the right and 1.5 to the left. I can not see any binding so Im thinking it may be my steering gear not centered? __________________ 1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... " Last edited by slepysal; 02-05-2008 at 07:32 AM.

02-05-2008, 12:40 PM	#2
85X3 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mid MI Posts: 67	Re: steering ? lock to lock I believe you have a twisted pitman shaft or need your frame straightened. This is a more common problem with G-Vans when involved in a front impact. With the wheels straight, measure the distance from Idler arm to the pitman arm in both center pivot points ( linkage and gear/frame locations ). Also check for parallel (diagonal measurement from two like locations side to side ) i.e. rad support mounts to front cab mounts. A tram bar works good.If all looks good, you probably need a new/rebuilt gear.

02-05-2008, 03:58 PM	#3
Ivan D. glamoros piece o' lowlife Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Redford, MI Posts: 1,164	Re: steering ? lock to lock Should be the same number from center to either end. If yer wheel wasn't clocked right for whatever reason it should still take the same number of turns, only it won't be sitting straight in the center position. 3.5 on one side and 1.5 on the other is way too huge of a difference, have you noticed if th truck needs more space to make a left turn at full lock compared to a right turn? __________________ The more I drink, the more I drink, the more I drink... diesel, reg cab, long bed, 4 across the rear, single stack, wooden stakes, and lotsa lights - the Hay Express

02-06-2008, 03:43 AM	#5
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: steering ? lock to lock slepy, Take a look at the toe in adjustment sleeves on the tie rods. See if there is an equal or almost equal amount of thread showing on both sides of the sleeve on both sides of the vehicle. Next count # of turns of wheel lock to lock. Divide by 2 and bring wheel back to that number. Don't worry about wheel position just yet. Get out of the truck and look at the pitman arm. It should be dead in line with the center line of the truck. If it isn't, the pitman shaft is twisted. If it is, frame is tweeked. I would take it to your local Chevy store and have them try to align it. They should let you know real quick where the problem is. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

02-06-2008, 04:37 AM	#6
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: steering ? lock to lock Thanks , looks like my frame is bent ! __________________ 1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... "

02-06-2008, 11:12 PM	#7
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: steering ? lock to lock slep: FIRST thing I want you to do is try to get it aligned!!! I know it's more expensive than a regular front end alignment, but tell them you want a four wheel alignment!! Tell them you want a print out of before and after spec's. I don't have the space here to explain "thrust angle" and what that means to you and your current problem, but listen up, it's important!!! It should be "0", but never is. When you have the spec's in hand post them here and I'll get back to you with your options to fix it. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

02-07-2008, 07:47 AM	#10
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: steering ? lock to lock PDF files sent. Mike

02-07-2008, 08:42 AM	#11
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: steering ? lock to lock Thanks !!! __________________ 1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... "

02-07-2008, 02:14 PM	#12
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: steering ? lock to lock Jim , I did find out my front frame (bumper horns )are bent about 2'' to the right . I have a friend who has a body shop and can straigten it out on his frame machine. I dont know if this will help my steering. I'll keep you posted __________________ 1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... " Last edited by slepysal; 02-08-2008 at 02:56 AM.

02-08-2008, 02:59 AM	#13
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: steering ? lock to lock I also just found out that the PO had installed a tilt colunm out of a diffrent year ( the fire wall mounting plate is diffrent). Could this be installed wrong causing the mis s matched steering ? __________________ 1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... "

02-08-2008, 03:15 AM	#14
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: steering ? lock to lock I would think that if the column was replaced it would not matter. I think that if the knuckle joint was disconnected the steering wheel would spin forever in either direction. I don't think it has a stop in it. I beleive the steering box stops it when it reaches its maximum travel and that is stopped by the wheels unable to travel any farther.

02-08-2008, 09:45 AM	#15
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: steering ? lock to lock Sorry, I got home late. From center to left and right I get 1 3/4 turns each way. I hope that helps. Mike



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