Why is my truck so squirrely?

[Number21]

I'm just getting my truck back on the road after sitting about a year. I've been driving a 2001 dodge, so that's what I'm used to. Getting back into my '73 with 33" tires feels like driving a school bus.

Problem I'm having is it's very hard to keep a straight line driving down the highway. It does not seem to favor one direction or the other, I just look like a drunk weaving back and fourth. I know this thing isn't a caddy but something has to change. Its like driving a boat.

I don't remember it being this bad before I stopped driving it, though it wasn't perfect then either. What do you guys think is causing this? Is it my big ass 33" tires? Lack of sway bars? Other suspension problems? Steering issues?

I don't expect a perfect ride but I'd like to stay on the pavement...

[tucsonjwt]

I'm no mechanic, but if I were you I would take it to a local shop that does suspension work for a free inspection. Even if you are mechanically inclined, I would take advantage of a free professional opinion from someone who can put it up on a rack and get a good look quickly. Even the chain repair shops would be better than guessing. I would not drive it very far with the condition you state.

[BigBlocksRule]

The reason you think it's squirrely is you've been driving a dodge and now your Chevy is showing you that it thinks you were nuckin' futs for going that way in the first place...

Get 'er up on a lift and find the slack. Could be anything on the front end from tie rods to pitman arm.

[Goldfinger]

have an alignment shop tighten things of and grease the fittings.

[Keith Seymore]

Assuming everything checks out (regular maintenence items ok, no slop, etc) the other thing you can do is crank up the caster.

10 degrees/12 degrees is not unheard of for these beam axle front suspensions.

Again - assuming nothing else is mechanically wrong - this will make a big difference for on-center feel and straight line stability.

K

[joe231]

Have some one wiggle the steering wheel back and forth while you look at the front end. Look for play in the ball joints/king pins, wheel bearings, tie rods, drag link, and spring bushings.
You can also jack up the front, put jack stands under the front axle and wiggle the tires to find any play. You might need an extra hand to wiggle while you look.

FWIW, Every shop I have been to or worked in charged @ $20 for a suspension check
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[terryj]

If you have worn tie rod ends this will cause the problem, since you have went to larger tires this will only increase the squirrlieness of the front end due to worn tie rod ends.

[joe231]

Any slop in the front end will cause it to wander.
And I forgot one thing... Check the steering gear box for play when you are checking everything else..
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[76stepsidechevy]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Assuming everything checks out (regular maintenence items ok, no slop, etc) the other thing you can do is crank up the caster.

10 degrees/12 degrees is not unheard of for these beam axle front suspensions.

Again - assuming nothing else is mechanically wrong - this will make a big difference for on-center feel and straight line stability.

K

This,
I just replaced some old lift springs in my truck with new ones and the new ones came with shims to correct the front drive shaft angle. They overlooked that this also took out 4 degrees of caster. The truck was damn near uncontrollable and I removed them promptly. I'll deal with the driveshaft issue another way.

[tucsonjwt]

Free "safety inspections", especially with an oil change are common around here. Most of the tire stores do suspension work. Could be different elsewhere, but $20 is cheap insurance if that's what it costs, especially if you don't have a lift of your own.

[motornut]

my steering feel got loose and i changed the coupler sure helped me
it seemed the wheels were turning , but it tried to keep turning them when i was already straightening out

[Number21]

Thanks for the tips...I'll probably try and find a shop to at least give me an estimate, I'm not too familiar with the front end gear.

[Weasel Diesel]

If all you parts are good.... being on 33's, you ought to run a steering stabilizer. It tames it alot. Don't forget to check the frame near and around the steering box for cracks & splits. If it is cracked or split, local 4x4 stores should carry a reinforcement plate to install as it is a common problem.