Steering road sway

[Rg500gamma]

At the start of my dad's 72 c/k 20 resto I had road sway or wandering with the steering and the excessive movement needed in the wheel to keep it on the straight and narrow was a *****. I have 33s on it and wondering if other components are needed to bring it back to instant compliance. I had went to the steering box and to remove any play in it. I am putting a new rag coupler on the steering shaft
The ball joints are still the originals and they are going to the trash.
Anyone run into this by just installing bigger tires ?
Or am I going with a fresh steering box as well
Thanks all

[geezer#99]

How much air pressure in your 33’s?

[Rg500gamma]

Between 32 and 36 psi

[LS short box]

Maybe you already have but I would take it to a alignment shop and see what the caster/camber/toe are at. They can also check all the steering linkages for play.
I would hold off on the new steering box until you have checked/adjusted everything else.

[GASoline71]

is it a C or a K truck? You listed both... big difference in suspension. Assuming a K since you have 33's

Gary

[Rg500gamma]

It's the 3/4 ton 8 lug axles . It's the k20 and longbed.
I will start at the rag joint then pitman arm for lag
Then the tie rod ends to each knuckle
Lastly the ball joints
I think that should point me in the right direction
I had a friend with a lifted jeep with oversize rubber

Did the same with the steering. Which led me to think a different steering part was was needed to compensate for the lift/tires.

[Stocker]

Something else that can affect steering (other than lift / tires) is wheel offset / backspacing.

[HO455]

You might want to look closely at the frame where the steering box bolts on. It's not uncommon for the K models to crack as allow the steering box to flex.

[Rg500gamma]

Great replies. The box mounts I should be easily to spot.
The back spacing is interesting. I wonder what a acceptable hub to rim distance is before the sloppy steering begins. I will pull a rim and measure the rim mount to the outer rim lip and see what I get. I was planning on blasting the white wagon rims and repaint and reuse. That may be the issue. Anyone provide SAFE backspace limits ?

[Rg500gamma]

Current wheels are 33 x 12 5r x 16.5 if that helps.

[Steeveedee]

Do you have a steering stabilizer installed?

[jerry moss]

just an FYI, if you end up replacing the steering box i would recommend getting it from red head steering, we use them on customers vehicles all the time at work.
another important question- is the truck lifted ? if so, you need to be sure the drag link is level and make sure the steering box is centered correctly. if it has the original drag link still they are not adjustable but the aftermarket replacements are in 3 pieces so you can properly center the box. hope this helps.

[Fbks_Cruiser]

When I first got mine, it wandered all over the road. With the truck parked on level ground I had someone move the steering wheel back and forth and I looked for excessive play/movement in any joints. Lots of play at the drag link and tie rod ends. Since it is a K truck, worn spring bushing can have a huge effect. Mine were worn to the point that moving the steering caused the whole truck to shift side to side while the front axle stayed in one place. I also tightened the bolt/nut that clamps the pitman arm to the steering gear shaft. Fixing those 4 things made the truck steer and track much better.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by jerry moss

another important question- is the truck lifted ? if so, you need to be sure the drag link is level and make sure the steering box is centered correctly. if it has the original drag link still they are not adjustable but the aftermarket replacements are in 3 pieces so you can properly center the box. hope this helps.

Good point. He mentioned a lift (but didn't say how much) in post #6 above.