Driving problems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hubscrub · 05-27-2010, 10:31 PM

I have a 71 chevy and it got where it doesn't drive right seems like when you hit a bump or just a small dip or hill in the road you have to fight to keep it straight it wants to weave left and right like i'm driveing drunk or something i have had it aligned and new ball joints, tie rods etc. new front tires just don't know what to check next i am thinking i will carry it back to the alignment shop for them to check it over again. anything else i should consider? i had it tore all the way down to the frame and put a 67 frame under it and used my 71 suspension, to make it a short wheel base truck and put a 350 in place of the six thanks

joes50pu · 05-27-2010, 10:50 PM

Check the idler arm for excessive play. You could have a worn steering box.

Jacfourteen · 05-27-2010, 11:12 PM

If it's a coil spring rear check the panhard/track bad, they probably didn't think to check the rear out.

mclairmo · 05-28-2010, 01:51 AM

Also, make sure the pitman arm is good, it is a very high wear item. My truck did the same thing and it was a loose pitman arm. A loose steering box or idler arm can also cause the same symptoms. Also, get under the truck with the wheels off the ground and start yanking on the steering linkage and suspension parts and see if anything is loose. Also, check for loose front wheel bearings. Sometimes, the wheel bearings are not set correctly, causing wandering.

cdowns · 05-28-2010, 05:46 AM

do you have a swaybar?

Hubscrub · 05-28-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

do you have a swaybar?

no, but that is one of my next upgrades

Hubscrub · 07-09-2010, 11:36 PM

update.... my dumb self installed the center link backwards

and i put it in right tonight and i drove it and steered,drove great have to get it aligned again but i learned something

thanks to all on the this board for helping me fix my problems

05-27-2010, 10:31 PM	#1
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Driving problems I have a 71 chevy and it got where it doesn't drive right seems like when you hit a bump or just a small dip or hill in the road you have to fight to keep it straight it wants to weave left and right like i'm driveing drunk or something i have had it aligned and new ball joints, tie rods etc. new front tires just don't know what to check next i am thinking i will carry it back to the alignment shop for them to check it over again. anything else i should consider? i had it tore all the way down to the frame and put a 67 frame under it and used my 71 suspension, to make it a short wheel base truck and put a 350 in place of the six thanks __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14 Last edited by Hubscrub; 05-27-2010 at 11:01 PM.

05-27-2010, 10:50 PM	#2
joes50pu Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: yuba city ca Posts: 31	Re: Driving problems Check the idler arm for excessive play. You could have a worn steering box.

05-27-2010, 11:12 PM	#3
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: Driving problems If it's a coil spring rear check the panhard/track bad, they probably didn't think to check the rear out. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's Last edited by Jacfourteen; 05-27-2010 at 11:13 PM.

05-28-2010, 01:51 AM	#4
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: Driving problems Also, make sure the pitman arm is good, it is a very high wear item. My truck did the same thing and it was a loose pitman arm. A loose steering box or idler arm can also cause the same symptoms. Also, get under the truck with the wheels off the ground and start yanking on the steering linkage and suspension parts and see if anything is loose. Also, check for loose front wheel bearings. Sometimes, the wheel bearings are not set correctly, causing wandering.

05-28-2010, 05:46 AM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Driving problems do you have a swaybar? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

07-09-2010, 11:36 PM	#7
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: Driving problems update.... my dumb self installed the center link backwards and i put it in right tonight and i drove it and steered,drove great have to get it aligned again but i learned something thanks to all on the this board for helping me fix my problems __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14 Last edited by Hubscrub; 07-09-2010 at 11:37 PM.



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