loose front end - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

m.lander · 05-31-2008, 01:33 AM

what could be done to tighten up the front end of a 1972 c10? i have replaced both upper and lower ball joints. everything else passes inspection yet it still feels loose.

**WorkinLonghorn** · 05-31-2008, 01:54 AM

You mean loose as in steering wander or is it making sounds like something is loose?Control arm bushings shot
Steering gear way loose
Tie-rod ends AFU
Idler or pitman loose
Wheel bearings STH or just loose
Allignment way off
Tires wore funny from bad allignment
Rear axle loose causing weird trust angle during accelleration
I'll think of more later,but did you check all these?

smoknbarrels · 05-31-2008, 10:30 PM

not trying to jack the thread, but it is related...

How much play is considered normal in the control arm bushings?? for example I have my spindles off and when I move each control arm i feel and see a slight movement when pushing side to side..

is this still ok? basically is moves just enough to detect actual movement.

**steelhorse** · 05-31-2008, 10:33 PM

the bushing are rubber so there will be some flex.If you see any cracks in them go ahead and replace them.m.lander have you checked the play in your steering gear?

**El Jay** · 05-31-2008, 11:30 PM

This might help.

Find a helper.
Have them "rock" the steering wheel. Follow all of the steering components (tie rod ends, drag link, idler arm, etc) from the steering box to both spindles to see what is, or isn't moving as it should.
It seems to work real good for the Highway Patrol when they're inspecting them big rig, trailer trucks.

**oldgold70c10** · 06-01-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelhorse

the bushing are rubber so there will be some flex.If you see any cracks in them go ahead and replace them.m.lander have you checked the play in your steering gear?

If he's switched to the 73 and up, then yes, but the control arm bushing on 67-72 are all metal with rubber dust boots. I replaced the bushings and pivot shafts a couple summers ago and it is all metal to metal. The bushings actually screw into the arms, and onto the shafts.

Bob D · 06-01-2008, 02:26 AM

I discovered I had a little play in my steering after putting the truck back on the road and it turned out to be in the below pictured joint in the column. I havent figured out what to do about it yet. Also check your rag joint.

Bob

Sammy · 06-01-2008, 02:46 AM

Sometimes you get play inside the gear box. And I believe there is a adjustment with a screw for them too. Rag joint is a bit lower on the pic. If you have play that high it is in the lower shaft caused from not having it tight alowing the clamp to work loose. That would most likely need to be replaced. Worn shaft.

Wrenchbender Ret · 06-01-2008, 10:52 PM

Put a jack under each lower cotrol arm. Grab the wheel in different possitions & push & pull. No bushings or joints should have should have any play in them. Have someone turn the steering wheel back & forth about 2 inches. Watch the joints in the linkage especially the pitman arm.

**steelhorse** · 06-01-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldgold70c10

If he's switched to the 73 and up, then yes, but the control arm bushing on 67-72 are all metal with rubber dust boots. I replaced the bushings and pivot shafts a couple summers ago and it is all metal to metal. The bushings actually screw into the arms, and onto the shafts.

Im switching mine over, forgot about that,But hey I got a motor/trans/power steering and disc brakes for $600

GREASEMONKEY72 · 06-02-2008, 01:56 AM

worn out suspension will let the truck wonder a bit but if youre talking about a shake then make sure your wheel bearings are packed good and tightened up

05-31-2008, 01:33 AM	#1
m.lander Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: republic, mo Posts: 38	loose front end what could be done to tighten up the front end of a 1972 c10? i have replaced both upper and lower ball joints. everything else passes inspection yet it still feels loose.

05-31-2008, 01:54 AM	#2
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,883	Re: loose front end You mean loose as in steering wander or is it making sounds like something is loose?Control arm bushings shot Steering gear way loose Tie-rod ends AFU Idler or pitman loose Wheel bearings STH or just loose Allignment way off Tires wore funny from bad allignment Rear axle loose causing weird trust angle during accelleration I'll think of more later,but did you check all these? __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Last edited by WorkinLonghorn; 05-31-2008 at 01:56 AM.

05-31-2008, 10:30 PM	#3
smoknbarrels Registered Mail Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 513	Re: loose front end not trying to jack the thread, but it is related... How much play is considered normal in the control arm bushings?? for example I have my spindles off and when I move each control arm i feel and see a slight movement when pushing side to side.. is this still ok? basically is moves just enough to detect actual movement. __________________ '67 chev 496, lwb to swb, bagged - pro street project

05-31-2008, 10:33 PM	#4
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: loose front end the bushing are rubber so there will be some flex.If you see any cracks in them go ahead and replace them.m.lander have you checked the play in your steering gear? Last edited by steelhorse; 05-31-2008 at 10:35 PM.

05-31-2008, 11:30 PM	#5
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: loose front end This might help. Find a helper. Have them "rock" the steering wheel. Follow all of the steering components (tie rod ends, drag link, idler arm, etc) from the steering box to both spindles to see what is, or isn't moving as it should. It seems to work real good for the Highway Patrol when they're inspecting them big rig, trailer trucks. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck

06-01-2008, 02:26 AM	#7
Bob D Rolled on Paint Club Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Windham, CT. Posts: 232	Re: loose front end I discovered I had a little play in my steering after putting the truck back on the road and it turned out to be in the below pictured joint in the column. I havent figured out what to do about it yet. Also check your rag joint. Bob Attached Images __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 swb fleetside SB 355ci. Smog heads Summit 1102 cam Performer intake and carb. Finally in about 1 piece in the yard.

06-01-2008, 02:46 AM	#8
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: loose front end Sometimes you get play inside the gear box. And I believe there is a adjustment with a screw for them too. Rag joint is a bit lower on the pic. If you have play that high it is in the lower shaft caused from not having it tight alowing the clamp to work loose. That would most likely need to be replaced. Worn shaft. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

06-01-2008, 10:52 PM	#9
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,226	Re: loose front end Put a jack under each lower cotrol arm. Grab the wheel in different possitions & push & pull. No bushings or joints should have should have any play in them. Have someone turn the steering wheel back & forth about 2 inches. Watch the joints in the linkage especially the pitman arm.

06-02-2008, 01:56 AM	#11
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: loose front end worn out suspension will let the truck wonder a bit but if youre talking about a shake then make sure your wheel bearings are packed good and tightened up __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME



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