Front end Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

trev1 · 03-18-2012, 06:54 PM

I have totally rebuilt the front end of my 69 pickup. For background on the truck it was originally a BB truck, 127" wheelbase CST. I put a 350 back into it. It has all new ball joints and tie rods. Everything is new.

Here is the problem..... When I turn to the left (drivers side) the tire hits the sway bar. The left (drivers ) tire does not seem to turn as sharp as the right.

Here are some pics. My thoughts are that I might have something in upside down or reversed from side to side.

This really has me puzzled. It did not do it before I tore it apart.

68gmsee · 03-18-2012, 07:12 PM

Seems to me that mine used to do the same thing. I've got it taken apart right now, though.

However, in looking at your pics everything looks okay to me. Have you changed to wider tires? These trucks came with fairly narrow tires back in those years.

From this site: http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

When you steer a car through a turn, the outside front wheel has to navigate a wider arc then the inside wheel. For this reason, the inside front wheel must steer at a sharper angle than the outside wheel.

midniteblues · 03-18-2012, 09:39 PM

I had a problem kinda like yours, after doing a searching on this site about the problem I found that I had the drag/center link in backwards and the tie rods on the wrong side of it just like yours. real easy mistake

hayhauler71 · 03-18-2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midniteblues

I had a problem kinda like yours, after doing a searching on this site about the problem I found that I had the drag/center link in backwards and the tie rods on the wrong side of it just like yours. real easy mistake

what he said draglink is on backwards

**Todd68Chevy** · 03-18-2012, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midniteblues

I had a problem kinda like yours, after doing a searching on this site about the problem I found that I had the drag/center link in backwards and the tie rods on the wrong side of it just like yours. real easy mistake

Good eye. That would be a hard one to catch if you had not seen it before or had another truck to compare to.

I was going to ask if the alignment had been set yet? I have seen when parts are put on thing turn different and then when the toe is set, they are back to normal. Even if it looks good by eye it is hard to get them close without actually setting the alignment.

midniteblues · 03-19-2012, 12:25 AM

I did the same thing put all new parts on the front. Just getting it outa the garage I thought something was wrong, after driving around the block I KNEW somthing was wrong it drove so much better after flipping everthing around and I was glad to have it figured out before it got an alignment or those guys wouldve

all the way to the cash register.there is so much great info on this site but you really gotta spend some time and look but sometimes its just easy to ask just glad to help

trev1 · 03-19-2012, 04:58 AM

Thanks, at least I have a starting point. Anyone got any pics they can post so I can compare?

And, no it has not been to the alignment shop. Could not herd it down the road with a boom truck attached to it. SCARRY SCARRY SCARRY!!!!

I will work on it this weekend. Thanks for the help!!

Hubscrub · 03-19-2012, 12:24 PM

Center link is backwards. I've been there twice

Posted via Mobile Device

**john** · 03-19-2012, 12:55 PM

You will need 90* zerk fittings for tie rods.

trev1 · 03-23-2012, 05:09 AM

Anyone have any pics of the drag link installed correctly? Would sure be helpfull in getting it right the second time around. Really, really, really hate to do it a third time.

Thanks!!!

**Todd68Chevy** · 03-23-2012, 06:28 AM

This is not a great picture but maybe it will be be helpfull. I can get better pictures tonight.

trev1 · 03-24-2012, 06:12 AM

I appreciate that picture Todd68Chevy. Anyone else have some that are closer with the front end installed?

midniteblues · 03-24-2012, 08:25 AM

Todds68 pic is pretty good you should be able to go off it.I you said you were gona try this weekend so here are some of mine in all its greasy glory it.Im not sure if its my cheap camrea or just my photagraghy skills but getting decent pics is really tough for me

trev1 · 03-24-2012, 09:25 AM

THANKS!!! Time to go to work on it. I will post pics of the front end tonight, after I fix it.

midniteblues · 03-24-2012, 10:07 AM

Yes it is time to fix it you will be very surprized at the differace it makes. With the taperd holes in the center link it will be evedent witch way it goes either flip it end for end or spin it 180 degrees I dont remember but the center link will be very close to the crossmember about 1/4" to about 3/8" way. I measured the front and the back of the tires to get the alignment close so I could drive it too the shop

**Todd68Chevy** · 03-25-2012, 06:00 PM

Here are a few more pictures if you still want them.

03-18-2012, 06:54 PM	#1
trev1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Goodman,Mo Posts: 155	Front end Question I have totally rebuilt the front end of my 69 pickup. For background on the truck it was originally a BB truck, 127" wheelbase CST. I put a 350 back into it. It has all new ball joints and tie rods. Everything is new. Here is the problem..... When I turn to the left (drivers side) the tire hits the sway bar. The left (drivers ) tire does not seem to turn as sharp as the right. Here are some pics. My thoughts are that I might have something in upside down or reversed from side to side. This really has me puzzled. It did not do it before I tore it apart. Attached Images

03-18-2012, 07:12 PM	#2
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Front end Question Seems to me that mine used to do the same thing. I've got it taken apart right now, though. However, in looking at your pics everything looks okay to me. Have you changed to wider tires? These trucks came with fairly narrow tires back in those years. From this site: http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm When you steer a car through a turn, the outside front wheel has to navigate a wider arc then the inside wheel. For this reason, the inside front wheel must steer at a sharper angle than the outside wheel.

03-18-2012, 09:39 PM	#3
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,395	Re: Front end Question I had a problem kinda like yours, after doing a searching on this site about the problem I found that I had the drag/center link in backwards and the tie rods on the wrong side of it just like yours. real easy mistake __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

03-19-2012, 12:25 AM	#6
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,395	Re: Front end Question I did the same thing put all new parts on the front. Just getting it outa the garage I thought something was wrong, after driving around the block I KNEW somthing was wrong it drove so much better after flipping everthing around and I was glad to have it figured out before it got an alignment or those guys wouldveall the way to the cash register.there is so much great info on this site but you really gotta spend some time and look but sometimes its just easy to ask just glad to help __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

03-19-2012, 04:58 AM	#7
trev1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Goodman,Mo Posts: 155	Re: Front end Question Thanks, at least I have a starting point. Anyone got any pics they can post so I can compare? And, no it has not been to the alignment shop. Could not herd it down the road with a boom truck attached to it. SCARRY SCARRY SCARRY!!!! I will work on it this weekend. Thanks for the help!!

03-19-2012, 12:24 PM	#8
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,858	Re: Front end Question Center link is backwards. I've been there twice Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14 Last edited by Hubscrub; 03-19-2012 at 08:35 PM.

03-19-2012, 12:55 PM	#9
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: Front end Question You will need 90* zerk fittings for tie rods. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

03-23-2012, 05:09 AM	#10
trev1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Goodman,Mo Posts: 155	Re: Front end Question Anyone have any pics of the drag link installed correctly? Would sure be helpfull in getting it right the second time around. Really, really, really hate to do it a third time. Thanks!!!

03-23-2012, 06:28 AM	#11
Todd68Chevy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Shelburn Indiana Posts: 3,975	Re: Front end Question This is not a great picture but maybe it will be be helpfull. I can get better pictures tonight. Attached Images __________________ Note: All parts I have for sale are also for sale locally. I currently own: 1940 Chevy Fire truck (project), 1946 Chevy truck (project), 1946 Chevy 1 Ton pick up, 1953 Chevy school bus (storage area), 1968 Chevy C10 (I have drove for 26 years), 1994 Chevy C2500 (daily driver), 2005 GMC crew cab K2500 (parts hauler) and more trucks for parts.

03-24-2012, 06:12 AM	#12
trev1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Goodman,Mo Posts: 155	Re: Front end Question I appreciate that picture Todd68Chevy. Anyone else have some that are closer with the front end installed?

03-24-2012, 08:25 AM	#13
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,395	Re: Front end Question Todds68 pic is pretty good you should be able to go off it.I you said you were gona try this weekend so here are some of mine in all its greasy glory it.Im not sure if its my cheap camrea or just my photagraghy skills but getting decent pics is really tough for me Attached Images __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

03-24-2012, 09:25 AM	#14
trev1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Goodman,Mo Posts: 155	Re: Front end Question THANKS!!! Time to go to work on it. I will post pics of the front end tonight, after I fix it.

03-24-2012, 10:07 AM	#15
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,395	Re: Front end Question Yes it is time to fix it you will be very surprized at the differace it makes. With the taperd holes in the center link it will be evedent witch way it goes either flip it end for end or spin it 180 degrees I dont remember but the center link will be very close to the crossmember about 1/4" to about 3/8" way. I measured the front and the back of the tires to get the alignment close so I could drive it too the shop __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

03-25-2012, 06:00 PM	#16
Todd68Chevy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Shelburn Indiana Posts: 3,975	Re: Front end Question Here are a few more pictures if you still want them. Attached Images __________________ Note: All parts I have for sale are also for sale locally. I currently own: 1940 Chevy Fire truck (project), 1946 Chevy truck (project), 1946 Chevy 1 Ton pick up, 1953 Chevy school bus (storage area), 1968 Chevy C10 (I have drove for 26 years), 1994 Chevy C2500 (daily driver), 2005 GMC crew cab K2500 (parts hauler) and more trucks for parts.



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