Loose steering

[elorenzof]

On our 1970 C10 i wanted to rebuild and clean up the front end. I switched the front engine cross-member to a nice cleaned up powder coated cross-member. During that process i also swapped out the front Drum brake / spindle set up to disk brakes. The kit also came with ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, etc. I also replaced the "old steering gear box, put in a tilt column, and put on a new rag joint, and the pitman arm, the idler arm, the only thing not replaced was the drag link. Well my steering was horrible! It felt like a 1950 big rig i was having to concentrate to keep her straight on the road. I double checked everything from left to right and found no looseness. So i thought hey its just a rebuilt steering gear box from an un-named chain parts store so maybe the gear box was never remanned correctly? so i swapped it out. twice. it was better and better but still not what i remember before i did the front end stuff. So the manager at the parts store convinced me to purchase a "New" steering gear box at $600.00. i put it on, and it is definately better but still not what i remember and i still have to kinda fight it. im just not happy driving her and its bumming me out. anyone have any ideas? Something i overlooked? Please help. Lorenzo

[renegade6]

No issues with the alignment after all of the parts swaps?

[notsolo]

And the center link is not upside down.? Tie rods on the backside castle nuts face forward.

[elorenzof]

Originally Posted by renegade6

No issues with the alignment after all of the parts swaps?

I did have to have it aligned twice. I know these older ones with the shims are harder to do. maybe he "did the best he could"? If it goes into a rut or where the road is not smooth it follows the trouble spots if that makes sense. You think i should take it to another shop for an alignment?

[renegade6]

How old are the tires? Following the grooves is sounding like a tire issue.

[elorenzof]

Originally Posted by notsolo

And the center link is not upside down.? Tie rods on the backside castle nuts face forward.

hmmm. great call. i'll look when i get home. Maybe? if i remember correctly when i put her back together i couldnt put the center link on but one way due to clearence (hitting the engine/suspension crossmember but thats a great question. i have her at a body shop doing some minor work i'll check her out when i get her back