No "Return to Center" Steering Woes

[kberger]

Ok, I’m really getting frustrated trying to get my truck to return to center after a turn. I’ve done the “caster mod” documented many times on this site, moving my LCAs about 3/4” forward. Still no good. Today I finished installing new CPP UCAs that are supposed to provide 5 degrees of extra caster but still no good. The only thing that I can think of to do is put skinnier tires on the front. Right now, I’m running 275/60/15 tires all of the way around. Has anyone solved this problem while running wider tires? Here is what I’m working with:

1964 C-10, 350/TH350
1977 C-10 Spindles
Stock LCA with caster mod
New CPP 73-87 power steering box
Suspension is stock height

[SkinnyG]

Do you have alignment numbers?

Are the control arms on the correct side?

Is the steering box adjusted too tight?

[kberger]

Arms are most definitely on the correct side. Steering box is new and I haven’t made any adjustments to it. Previous steering box performed exactly the same. Camber is near 0 degrees, toe in at 1/8”. Don’t want to have professionally aligned until I get this solved.

[dmjlambert]

Perhaps post pictures of your steering setup and somebody notice something interesting.

[SkinnyG]

You can get some reasonable numbers by yourself with a simple inclinometer app on your phone.

I'm a shop teacher by trade. I explain wheel alignments in THIS VIDEO, and talk specifically about Caster at the 9:30 mark. See if this helps you at all.

[cwcarpenter98]

Also, double check that your center link is installed in the correct orientation. They can be installed backwards which will cause all sorts of drivability issues

[Johnie]

I have the same problem and the same setup. I set the alignment with angle finder, string and tape measure. Then had it aligned at a shop. She runs down the highway straight and smooth with no wandering. But it absolutely will not return to center on its own. The streering is very light - and i suspect the box is the problem with mine. While looking for a solution I found some good info about this on the Borgeson web site:

https://www.borgeson.com/steering-sy...esign-and-tech

[dmjlambert]

Pictures of the setup are a good idea.

[bigmoe]

Those tires are pretty wide in front. I'd throw on some narrower wheels/tires just to rule out that the width is the problem or is contributing.

[caseyjones]

I had a poor return to center feel, and kind of a notchy feeling in the steering...turned out to be the nearly-new AC Delco "gold" ball joints. Replaced with MOOG and the issues went away.

[kberger]

Attempting to attach pics. Wow that actually worked, I will add more detailed pics this weekend. Also, I'm running about 15 degrees of caster.