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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
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Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
I thought I had the alignment on my truck pretty much set, at least for the next couple months until I upgrade to power steering. But this morning it rained, and on the wet roads my truck is all over the place!
What causes this? Camber? I am supposed to drive about 80 miles tomorrow, but if it rains anymore, I'm stuck!
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'61 Panel - Helms Bakery Truck - Daily Driver - FOR SALE |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: San Jose NOR*CAL
Posts: 3,080
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
So how are your tires?
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1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... " |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
Fronts tires are good, rears are about half worn, but this issue is definitely in the front.
It almost feels like if 1 side is in a puddle, the truck darts that way... if that makes any sense.
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'61 Panel - Helms Bakery Truck - Daily Driver - FOR SALE |
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#4 |
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
I used to drive a 53 Chevy 5 window pickup that had manual steering (I-Beam axle) when I was younger. I used to have to "read" the road surface to know how to counter steer. Rain was not always fun.
![]() When it's your only transportation you do what you have to do. But to answer your question - I don't know.
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Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats? |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
WELL CRAP!
The question about tires got me thinking.... So I went out and double checked. The passenger side is wearing odd. I jacked up the front of the truck out by the ball joints and found play in 2 ball joints and the steering box that wasn't there 2 months ago. At this point, I guess I have to save up some money and just go thru the entire front end.
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'61 Panel - Helms Bakery Truck - Daily Driver - FOR SALE |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
Quote:
ron |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
The other 3 were totally solid when I replaced the one. They aren't real bad yet, but there is play.
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'61 Panel - Helms Bakery Truck - Daily Driver - FOR SALE |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Calgary Alberta
Posts: 1,166
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
I checked the first one and it had play so I bought them all. Changed that first one I had checked last, only to find it had never been tightened. A couple of turns of the nut would have tightened it and I suspect the originals were probably of better quality than the replacements. Oh well, I won't ever have to drill out the rivets again.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
Mine have been changed at least once before since the uppers are bolt in. Time to do it again!
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'61 Panel - Helms Bakery Truck - Daily Driver - FOR SALE |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 3,069
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
I seem to recall that if the toe is out it'll have a tendency to dart one way then the other.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
speaking of tires, you do not have a mixture of radials and bias on there do you?
ron |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
Nope. All 4 are Goodyears.
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'61 Panel - Helms Bakery Truck - Daily Driver - FOR SALE |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
goodyear made both radials and bias ply tires and and if you ran both combined it wood give one a squirrely feeling. this is an old problem from the 60's when radials first starting appearing on US production vehicles. people would put on 2 new radials and have 2 bias tires and it would give them that wandering feeling going down the road.
do you know what bias ply tire is? ron |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
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Re: Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering
Padresag - I appreciate your help! Yes, I am very familiar with bias plys. My 56 merc and 51 Chevy had them. My panel has radials.
Good looking out though!! I appreciate your time and constructive ideas! |
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