Steering Questions.

[Slow Build]

The P.O. did the power steering swap before I got it and I have a few questions.

First, my truck turns right much sharper than it turns left. I also notice that I have 2 turns center to lock to the right and only 1.5 turns to the left. Could that be caused by the pitman arm being put on in the wrong position?

Second, it’s a little uncomfortable driving the truck because you have to watch the road constantly. When I try to turn around to make a lane change or look at something in the bed you never know where you will be when you turn back forward. It seems like small input sometimes make a more dramatic direction change. The guy at the front end shop thought it was the angle of my tie rods but a lot of the trucks I see have the same angle so I don't know.

Third, when the guy put the steering gear assembly it looks like he made some modifications in the frame behind it. Should I remove the gear, patch the hole and put an adapter kit on. (I know, pretty ugly welding)

Forth and last (for now), my power steering has way to light of a feel. It almost feels like you could just spin the wheel when the truck is standing still. What can I do to give me a little better feel of the road.

[aerotruk63]

Your steering box seal is leaking first sign of a loose box.

[aerotruk63]

Turn your steering all the way to the left then count your turns all the way to the right. Divide this number in two and turn the steering wheel back the half way point. How does the steering wheel look and if you advance does the truck travel straight or does it turn to one side.
Any tie rod that you can twist the threaded shaft fails inspection here.
Ball Joints good?
Are you tires showing wear especially to the inside?
Did you check for a toe in?

[TR65]

Your steering wheel shaft twists a long slinder rod to open the valve ports to work the power steering. The size of the rods changes depending on the weight of the truck and how much steering "feel" you want. Your box might be set up for a heavier truck and thus have too small of a rod (a little steering wheel torque opens the ports a lot in your case). I don't know that the torque rods can be changed. I was able to find a rebuilt box for a C10 on e-bay for $100 no exchange.

It sounds like the pitman arm was not correctly indexed to the steering box. You are not reaching the steering stops in one direction. Re-index the arm.

Good luck,

TR

[blackedoutharley]

I would suggest increasing the caster setting to improve the "touchy" steering issue.

Caster is a steering angle only and does not affect tire wear but if not set properly can reek havoc on how a vehicle drives.

There is only one person I would ever trust to do an alignment on my vehicles (other than myself but he taught me) and he is fairly close to you (Fairfield) and very worth the drive.

[Chevy Fleetside]

It could be the way the Idler arm is set. I did mine the way yours is done and when I put the Rez style kit on the changed the angle of the Idler arm and now I seem to have the same amount of turns left or right. Of course I have not driven the truck so I can't say for sure. You have helped me out so now maybe I can return the favor.

[Slow Build]

When I change the front to disc brakes I'll be using drop spindles which should take care of the angle problem. I think I will need to re-index the the pitman arm though. It turns too much to the right and not enough to the left. I have to do a three point turn to get in a 90* parking space at Kragen.