4X4 Steering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigRand · 03-23-2005, 11:26 PM

I have a 72 K-5 and while driving it seems to wander a little left or right on the road. It's not that bad, but seems more noticeable on a curvy road. The Toe-In is ok and everything seems to be tight in the steering and suspension. I think the problem might be the steering box. Anyone had any similar problems, any suggestions.

jcueckert13 · 03-23-2005, 11:37 PM

my dads 79 blazer hzs 4 inchs of play in the steering wheel

in a truck that old it is very possible

sneakysnake · 03-23-2005, 11:48 PM

Rear tire air pressure can make one road walk.

wanted · 03-24-2005, 01:46 AM

If you have more than 2 inches of steering wheel play tighten the steering box. On the top of the box there is an allen head adjuster with a lock nut over it. Mark it where it is and loosen the lock nut, I hold the allen head while loosening the lock nut or they both turn. Now tighten the adjuster about a 1/8 of a turn and remark this position cuase when you tighten the locknut you need to make sure it doesn't tighten the adjuster further. Try it out and adjust more or less to your preference. I wouldn't tighten more than a 1/4 turn as you can cause some damage. I tighten mine until the steering wheel does not want to return center on it's own then readjust a tad looser.

71RestoRod · 03-24-2005, 02:05 AM

It could be the rear end too. Jack up the rear and see if you can move the axles in and out. When they're worn, the rear axles can shift back and forth a surprising amount and make it wander.

ZOOMY · 03-24-2005, 02:54 AM

If all of the above doesn't work, then it's ball joints.

Mudder · 03-24-2005, 07:35 AM

Too much air in the front. Cracked frame around the gear box. Tires. How much air ya running in the front tires? Have you checked all the steering linkage lately? Sterring stablizer? Could be lots of things. Oh and I have seen gear boxes actually come loose.

72K10 · 03-24-2005, 09:11 AM

If it's power steering, you won't have that adjustment. I had a similar problem; replaced the box, rag joint, tie rod ends, aligned, and everything else I could think of. Still wandered bad, and sometimes would "jerk" or "bump" steer, as if a bearing were popping. Turned out to be the pitman arm being worn out. You can test by having someone wiggle the steering wheel and you watch pitman arm.

6869704X4 · 03-24-2005, 09:18 AM

My left front spring hangar rivets were loose.

BigRand · 03-26-2005, 01:09 AM

Thanks for all the info. I replaced the rod from the pitman arm to the steering arm and this helped the problem. I still have some play in the steering box and I think I'm going to replace it.

4x4Poet · 03-28-2005, 07:31 AM

If you pull the steering box, most any alighment shop would check it for excessive play. You could move the input and output shafts yourself to check for slop.

03-23-2005, 11:26 PM	#1
BigRand Go Vols Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: TN Posts: 30	4X4 Steering I have a 72 K-5 and while driving it seems to wander a little left or right on the road. It's not that bad, but seems more noticeable on a curvy road. The Toe-In is ok and everything seems to be tight in the steering and suspension. I think the problem might be the steering box. Anyone had any similar problems, any suggestions. __________________ *When you have to shoot, shoot don't talk.*

03-23-2005, 11:37 PM	#2
jcueckert13 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Edgewood New Mexico Posts: 2,088	my dads 79 blazer hzs 4 inchs of play in the steering wheel in a truck that old it is very possible __________________ 1990 subaru legcy (daily driver) 1987 Toyota 4runner (weekend toy) 1968 C30 flatbed dually 1970 C10 longbed stepside (in pieces) 1976 Dodge Dart 1963 Dodge Dart

03-24-2005, 02:54 AM	#6
ZOOMY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: WIS Posts: 1,752	wanderer If all of the above doesn't work, then it's ball joints.

03-24-2005, 09:11 AM	#8
72K10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: New York Posts: 288	If it's power steering, you won't have that adjustment. I had a similar problem; replaced the box, rag joint, tie rod ends, aligned, and everything else I could think of. Still wandered bad, and sometimes would "jerk" or "bump" steer, as if a bearing were popping. Turned out to be the pitman arm being worn out. You can test by having someone wiggle the steering wheel and you watch pitman arm. __________________ RLTW 70C10 72K10 72K10 Cheyenne 72C10 Cheyenne Super

03-24-2005, 09:18 AM	#9
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	My left front spring hangar rivets were loose. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

03-23-2005, 11:48 PM	#3
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Rear tire air pressure can make one road walk.

03-24-2005, 01:46 AM	#4
wanted Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: duluth, mn Posts: 63	If you have more than 2 inches of steering wheel play tighten the steering box. On the top of the box there is an allen head adjuster with a lock nut over it. Mark it where it is and loosen the lock nut, I hold the allen head while loosening the lock nut or they both turn. Now tighten the adjuster about a 1/8 of a turn and remark this position cuase when you tighten the locknut you need to make sure it doesn't tighten the adjuster further. Try it out and adjust more or less to your preference. I wouldn't tighten more than a 1/4 turn as you can cause some damage. I tighten mine until the steering wheel does not want to return center on it's own then readjust a tad looser.

03-24-2005, 02:05 AM	#5
71RestoRod Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 492	It could be the rear end too. Jack up the rear and see if you can move the axles in and out. When they're worn, the rear axles can shift back and forth a surprising amount and make it wander.

03-24-2005, 07:35 AM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Too much air in the front. Cracked frame around the gear box. Tires. How much air ya running in the front tires? Have you checked all the steering linkage lately? Sterring stablizer? Could be lots of things. Oh and I have seen gear boxes actually come loose.

03-26-2005, 01:09 AM	#10
BigRand Go Vols Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: TN Posts: 30	Thanks for all the info. I replaced the rod from the pitman arm to the steering arm and this helped the problem. I still have some play in the steering box and I think I'm going to replace it. __________________ *When you have to shoot, shoot don't talk.*

03-28-2005, 07:31 AM	#11
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	If you pull the steering box, most any alighment shop would check it for excessive play. You could move the input and output shafts yourself to check for slop. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.



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