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.

[1970cstblazer]

Originally Posted by 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.

GM went with this design in 1973, and it fits back to 1970 K series.

Part number 361098. Remember the longer link is forward.

[custom10nut]

These responses are all great pieces of advice.
One thing I will ad.
Consider that the truck is 502+ years old.
If all the movable parts steering linkages haven’t been replaced, they probably should be.
Rag Joints and Rod ends are notorious for having “a slight bit of play” in them.
Any play will cause the Wandering. Adding a Lift kit and larger tires only multiplies the effects.
I was in your shoes a couple years ago it’s my 70 C-10, until I replaced everything under there, and had a shop do a proper alignment.
Problem solved, she now drives as straight as can be.

[68Gold/white]

I work on school buses for a living...

The slightest amount of looseness in ANY steering component can be a problem.

Checking the tie rod ends and drag link cannot be judged by pushing on them with hand strength . You can take a pair of channel locks and squeeze the joints together. If there's ANY looseness or movement, that component is bad.

If your pickup is 502 years old, it might need some parts???

[Rg500gamma]

The truck is stock height
It has a stabilizer on It.
So at 53 yrs old, the rag joint, ball joints t rod ends and spring bushings are heading to the trash. Thanks for the Red Head steering box info. Since I will have a rolling frame to call it restored is a lie without a full front end component replacement. With all the info provided, I'm pretty sure you all have solved my problems and will proceed with fresh parts. If there is still a issue I will be back with my list of things done and if the problem is solved. I watched Fantom Works.do a 59 Apache and the f spring perches moved slightly which they determined was by GM Design

[Rg500gamma]

I have the Svc and Assembly manuals and I came across front end adjustable spring shackle stops. I never noticed them before. That's another are for me to look at. They may be rotted or missing.. page 3-8 in the Svc manual. It allows for 1/8 clearance.

[Rg500gamma]

I found a original GM shackle stop kit from OLDSMOBILE OBSOLETE.
The part # is 325077
Comes with the weld on strap and rear bolt on stop plate.

[Rg500gamma]

After my dad passed, the truck sat before it was driven again. It just hit me that he had rewelded the front shackle stop plate to the spring mount. Wow what time does to a memory. Dollars to donuts that it rebroke or is gone completely .
I'm going out to look as I may be looking to deep into a simple solution

[Rg500gamma]

Well, wishful thinking. My dad did a OEM weld on the stopper and the rear stopper is still in place.
I would like to thank you all for your help, tips and suggestions. I move forward with replacing all the bushings, joints rod ends etc etc
This site is well worth it

[LS short box]

Typically when you add any kind of lift it will mess up the caster. Less caster will make the truck more difficult steering going down the highway. Your truck caster was designed around bias ply tires. Current radial tires need more caster to go down the road straight.
Do you have lift blocks that are cut at an angle to increase caster after the lift?

[Rg500gamma]

No lifts. I'm not a fan of them
It only got the 33's and a stabilizer
Stock otherwise.
It's a matter of new spring bushings, shackles and the rest of the 53 year old front end parts.
It's presently tarped with Peppermint sprayed inside the cab and wiring

I will have to wait to get it inside to start the parts replacement
I imagine this will be a 3yr (hopefully) time frame. I have to replace the complete floor and cut the roof at the A and B pillars and weld in the primo one I cut off a C10
Mine came stock with the roof marker lights and I have transfer those as well

[LS short box]

Sorry I missed the stock ride height.
Good luck with your project.