Sloppy Steering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Steve ATL · 03-05-2013, 12:47 PM

Hi folks - new member and first post.

I just picked up a 1980 K10, bought from Texas and shipped here to the Atlanta area. The previous owner did quite a bit of body work so the truck looks great, but had some issues upon arrival like the brakes not working.

The shop I had do the brakes also replaced the steering box and tie rod ends to attempt to correct very loose steering, but it is as bad as when I took it in only now the wheel is not centered. I have about 4-5 inches of slop in the steering.

Sure would appreciate some direction here - thanks all! If anyone knows of a good shop in the north Atlanta area I would appreciate that as well.

Low87 · 03-05-2013, 12:57 PM

Try this;
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...c,12525.0.html

INSIDIOUS '86 · 03-05-2013, 01:09 PM

A lot of aftermarket boxes that are rebuilt are still as sloppy as the old. Granted a 4x4 will never get sharp steering the steering wheel still shouldn't have that much play before I it moves the linkage.

Redhead steering is a company that puts steering boxes together with meticulous detail and do nice work. About to put one on my truck myself
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Steve ATL · 03-05-2013, 01:27 PM

Thanks Greg - the sloppy steering is caused by those 4 tilt bolts being loose?

Keith Seymore · 03-05-2013, 01:37 PM

"Steering wheel not straight" is easy: you can adjust the fore/aft drag link (from the knuckle to the gear) without affecting any other alignment settings. Just adjust the overall length of the drag link by moving the sleeve until the steering wheel is level going straight down the road.

Sloppy steering - not so easy. Make sure all of the components are good, consider getting the new gear that Insidious recommends. Or - you can also tighten up the preload and overcenter adjustments of your existing gear (either still in the vehicle or with it removed). Detailed instructions are in the service manual.

After that get the alignment checked. I like a lot of caster on K/V trucks (like 10 degrees) to maintain straight line stablility so you might consider that after you've got the rest of the steering system sorted out.

K

Keith Seymore · 03-05-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve ATL

Thanks Greg - the sloppy steering is caused by those 4 tilt bolts being loose?

Excellent steering column rebuild link - but I don't think it has anything to do with your problem.

K

jbristo67 · 03-05-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

A lot of aftermarket boxes that are rebuilt are still as sloppy as the old. Granted a 4x4 will never get sharp steering the steering wheel still shouldn't have that much play before I it moves the linkage.

Redhead steering is a company that puts steering boxes together with meticulous detail and do nice work. About to put one on my truck myself
Posted via Mobile Device

My 91 k5 still turns as sharp as my 2011 armadA
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Skunksmash · 03-05-2013, 01:57 PM

So those rebuilt steering boxes from Oreillys are not a good idea?

Also to the OP, there are other things to check besides just the steering box. Such as the tie rod ends, and the pitman arm. My pitman arm was wore out and when I replaced it, it took about 1.5 inches of play out of the wheel. Just something to think about.

motornut · 03-05-2013, 10:51 PM

sloppy rag joint can add some play too
mine got a whole lot better,just doing that

INSIDIOUS '86 · 03-06-2013, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

So those rebuilt steering boxes from Oreillys are not a good idea?

Also to the OP, there are other things to check besides just the steering box. Such as the tie rod ends, and the pitman arm. My pitman arm was wore out and when I replaced it, it took about 1.5 inches of play out of the wheel. Just something to think about.

I personally haven't had experiences with store brand but I have read many threads where they are marginally better than the original worn stuff
Posted via Mobile Device

cory d · 03-06-2013, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low87

Try this;
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...c,12525.0.html

NO THANKS

Skunksmash · 03-08-2013, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cory d

NO THANKS

I know lol

75chev4x4 · 03-08-2013, 12:15 PM

Check your shackle bushings in the frame on the rear of the front keaf springs. This and a number of other things helped tighten mine up.

Skunksmash · 03-09-2013, 12:16 AM

If you do what they call a "dry park check" you can find every last sloppy joint that you need to replace. Have someone turn the wheel side to side while you watch all the steering components. When the truck isn't running. Watch them turn the wheel, and watch when the parts start to move. You'll be able to see exactly what lags behind, when they start turning the steering wheel. You'll probably have to start at the rag joint. I think that's the first failure point.

03-05-2013, 12:47 PM	#1
Steve ATL Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sandy Springs Posts: 4	Sloppy Steering Hi folks - new member and first post. I just picked up a 1980 K10, bought from Texas and shipped here to the Atlanta area. The previous owner did quite a bit of body work so the truck looks great, but had some issues upon arrival like the brakes not working. The shop I had do the brakes also replaced the steering box and tie rod ends to attempt to correct very loose steering, but it is as bad as when I took it in only now the wheel is not centered. I have about 4-5 inches of slop in the steering. Sure would appreciate some direction here - thanks all! If anyone knows of a good shop in the north Atlanta area I would appreciate that as well.

03-05-2013, 12:57 PM	#2
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	Re: Sloppy Steering Try this; http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...c,12525.0.html __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin

03-05-2013, 01:09 PM	#3
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: Sloppy Steering A lot of aftermarket boxes that are rebuilt are still as sloppy as the old. Granted a 4x4 will never get sharp steering the steering wheel still shouldn't have that much play before I it moves the linkage. Redhead steering is a company that puts steering boxes together with meticulous detail and do nice work. About to put one on my truck myself Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

03-05-2013, 01:27 PM	#4
Steve ATL Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sandy Springs Posts: 4	Re: Sloppy Steering Thanks Greg - the sloppy steering is caused by those 4 tilt bolts being loose?

03-05-2013, 01:37 PM	#5
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,230	Re: Sloppy Steering "Steering wheel not straight" is easy: you can adjust the fore/aft drag link (from the knuckle to the gear) without affecting any other alignment settings. Just adjust the overall length of the drag link by moving the sleeve until the steering wheel is level going straight down the road. Sloppy steering - not so easy. Make sure all of the components are good, consider getting the new gear that Insidious recommends. Or - you can also tighten up the preload and overcenter adjustments of your existing gear (either still in the vehicle or with it removed). Detailed instructions are in the service manual. After that get the alignment checked. I like a lot of caster on K/V trucks (like 10 degrees) to maintain straight line stablility so you might consider that after you've got the rest of the steering system sorted out. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 03-05-2013 at 01:48 PM.

03-05-2013, 01:57 PM	#8
Skunksmash Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: TX Posts: 1,014	Re: Sloppy Steering So those rebuilt steering boxes from Oreillys are not a good idea? Also to the OP, there are other things to check besides just the steering box. Such as the tie rod ends, and the pitman arm. My pitman arm was wore out and when I replaced it, it took about 1.5 inches of play out of the wheel. Just something to think about.

03-05-2013, 10:51 PM	#9
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Sloppy Steering sloppy rag joint can add some play too mine got a whole lot better,just doing that __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

03-08-2013, 12:15 PM	#13
75chev4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Estacada, Oregon Posts: 254	Re: Sloppy Steering Check your shackle bushings in the frame on the rear of the front keaf springs. This and a number of other things helped tighten mine up.

03-09-2013, 12:16 AM	#14
Skunksmash Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: TX Posts: 1,014	Re: Sloppy Steering If you do what they call a "dry park check" you can find every last sloppy joint that you need to replace. Have someone turn the wheel side to side while you watch all the steering components. When the truck isn't running. Watch them turn the wheel, and watch when the parts start to move. You'll be able to see exactly what lags behind, when they start turning the steering wheel. You'll probably have to start at the rag joint. I think that's the first failure point.



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