Loose steering to the right - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

masterlock · 11-30-2015, 09:43 PM

So I am trying to work out my steering issues on my lifted 78 K20. Changed out the pitman arm and steering arm to fix the geometry and replaced the drag link, replaced the tie rod ends and tightened up the gear box adjustment screw. the steering is better than it was but it is very loose to the right???

If I am driving down the road and swerve left it is very responsive if I swerve right it is sloppy. Also if I hard brake at speed i drift right.
So I am going to replace the Rag joint, maybe that will help. After that Im not sure where to go next. Ball Joints, Wheel bearings? Also I have been holding off on an alignment until I change out everything that needs changing but if that might help then I might do that.

Any suggestions on my next step?

72 k10 · 11-30-2015, 10:35 PM

sounds like the steering box is bad I don't like to adjust the box like that I have seen em lock to one side during a turn. a new box is under 400.00 and really make a big deference. ball joints are also commonly worn out

masterlock · 11-30-2015, 10:41 PM

Yeah I am trying to change everything out before I get to the power steering box, would loose steering in one direction be a common symptom of a bad gearbox?

11555wally · 11-30-2015, 10:49 PM

I had my steering gear replaced on my 86 because it was a little sloppy. The first one they put on the truck pulled to the right and it was harder to steer to the left. They realized that the replacement gear was the problem so they put on another, same problem. They put on a third one from a different remanufacturer and it steers great now. Could be your gear and if you replace it make sure it is a good one.

masterlock · 11-30-2015, 11:11 PM

do you remember who made yours?

72 k10 · 12-01-2015, 12:46 AM

saw a post on the forum a guy is getting them off of e bay for under 400.00 I think the brand was ccp he had done several and was very happy I believe these where new units not rebuilt.

**hatzie** · 12-01-2015, 12:48 AM

New rag joint or a Jeep XJ steering shaft with universals.
There are several Youtube howto videos on the XJ shaft mod.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9C4RdvjPNQ

11555wally · 12-01-2015, 08:35 AM

I don't know who remanufactured mine. The garage that did the work uses a distributer for their parts and I know after the 2nd bad one they told the distributer not to give them one from the same remanufacturer. The garage took a beating on the deal because they only charged me for tthe first replacement. I think I would spend the money to buy a new one. If I had done my own work I don't think things would have turned out as well.

11-30-2015, 09:43 PM	#1
masterlock Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 281	Loose steering to the right So I am trying to work out my steering issues on my lifted 78 K20. Changed out the pitman arm and steering arm to fix the geometry and replaced the drag link, replaced the tie rod ends and tightened up the gear box adjustment screw. the steering is better than it was but it is very loose to the right??? If I am driving down the road and swerve left it is very responsive if I swerve right it is sloppy. Also if I hard brake at speed i drift right. So I am going to replace the Rag joint, maybe that will help. After that Im not sure where to go next. Ball Joints, Wheel bearings? Also I have been holding off on an alignment until I change out everything that needs changing but if that might help then I might do that. Any suggestions on my next step? __________________ 77 Stepside http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=422253

11-30-2015, 10:35 PM	#2
72 k10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: weiser id Posts: 68	Re: Loose steering to the right sounds like the steering box is bad I don't like to adjust the box like that I have seen em lock to one side during a turn. a new box is under 400.00 and really make a big deference. ball joints are also commonly worn out

11-30-2015, 10:41 PM	#3
masterlock Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 281	Re: Loose steering to the right Yeah I am trying to change everything out before I get to the power steering box, would loose steering in one direction be a common symptom of a bad gearbox? __________________ 77 Stepside http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=422253

11-30-2015, 10:49 PM	#4
11555wally Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 85	Re: Loose steering to the right I had my steering gear replaced on my 86 because it was a little sloppy. The first one they put on the truck pulled to the right and it was harder to steer to the left. They realized that the replacement gear was the problem so they put on another, same problem. They put on a third one from a different remanufacturer and it steers great now. Could be your gear and if you replace it make sure it is a good one.

11-30-2015, 11:11 PM	#5
masterlock Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 281	Re: Loose steering to the right do you remember who made yours? __________________ 77 Stepside http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=422253

12-01-2015, 12:46 AM	#6
72 k10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: weiser id Posts: 68	Re: Loose steering to the right saw a post on the forum a guy is getting them off of e bay for under 400.00 I think the brand was ccp he had done several and was very happy I believe these where new units not rebuilt.

12-01-2015, 08:35 AM	#8
11555wally Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 85	Re: Loose steering to the right I don't know who remanufactured mine. The garage that did the work uses a distributer for their parts and I know after the 2nd bad one they told the distributer not to give them one from the same remanufacturer. The garage took a beating on the deal because they only charged me for tthe first replacement. I think I would spend the money to buy a new one. If I had done my own work I don't think things would have turned out as well.



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