Unstable steering and wandering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crawdad · 12-15-2005, 08:31 PM

I have to admit I haven't been a chevy owner for many, many years, so I just don't know what good steering should feel like for these trucks. The steering on my truck seems to be VERY light, i.e., it wanders too much and doesn't seem to want to hold a good line going down the road. If I turn the wheel real quick, it seems to want to turn too quick, almost like it is diving to one side. The shocks, while not new, don't appear to be in bad condition. The entire fornt end could probably stand to be rebuilt, but is there any one thing that would lead to this type of behaviour more so than anything else? Thanks.

Bowtie67 · 12-15-2005, 09:17 PM

I would have all bushings checked including the rear trailing arm bushings, The other is what I have seen in the past with these older vehicles is people running bias ply tires if you have them dump em and put some radials on, you wont believe the difference it will make. Make sure tire pressure is all the same and that there is no binding of any wheels like the brakes are not fully releasing.

crawdad · 12-16-2005, 01:22 AM

Thanks, I'll be sure to check the bushings. Brakes are good, and currently running BF Goodrich Radial TA's. Anything else I need to pay particular attention to?

Bowtie67 · 12-16-2005, 08:16 AM

Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends, Idler Arm, and excessive play in stearing box, I think that covers everything..

FirstGen · 12-18-2005, 08:20 PM

get it aligned. they will also be able to tell what exactly is the biggest problem. if you don't have enough caster it will make the front end feel like that. Could be many things. I would get it aligned with a 6 month warrenty then after you replace stuff you can get it re-aligned...
Just what I would do...

12-15-2005, 08:31 PM	#1
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Unstable steering and wandering I have to admit I haven't been a chevy owner for many, many years, so I just don't know what good steering should feel like for these trucks. The steering on my truck seems to be VERY light, i.e., it wanders too much and doesn't seem to want to hold a good line going down the road. If I turn the wheel real quick, it seems to want to turn too quick, almost like it is diving to one side. The shocks, while not new, don't appear to be in bad condition. The entire fornt end could probably stand to be rebuilt, but is there any one thing that would lead to this type of behaviour more so than anything else? Thanks. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

12-15-2005, 09:17 PM	#2
Bowtie67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,266	Re: Unstable steering and wandering I would have all bushings checked including the rear trailing arm bushings, The other is what I have seen in the past with these older vehicles is people running bias ply tires if you have them dump em and put some radials on, you wont believe the difference it will make. Make sure tire pressure is all the same and that there is no binding of any wheels like the brakes are not fully releasing. __________________ 1967 C10 - SWBSS Pro Street 427sbc, 700R4 & 4.10 Gears 1948 Chevy FleetMaster Coupe, LS1, (almost done) 1950 Chevy StyleLine Coupe 250/6 3x2 Dueces 2009 Toyota Tundra 1996 Harley RoadKing "I maybe getting old, but I can still burn rubber with the best of them"

12-16-2005, 01:22 AM	#3
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Re: Unstable steering and wandering Thanks, I'll be sure to check the bushings. Brakes are good, and currently running BF Goodrich Radial TA's. Anything else I need to pay particular attention to? __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

12-16-2005, 08:16 AM	#4
Bowtie67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,266	Re: Unstable steering and wandering Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends, Idler Arm, and excessive play in stearing box, I think that covers everything.. __________________ 1967 C10 - SWBSS Pro Street 427sbc, 700R4 & 4.10 Gears 1948 Chevy FleetMaster Coupe, LS1, (almost done) 1950 Chevy StyleLine Coupe 250/6 3x2 Dueces 2009 Toyota Tundra 1996 Harley RoadKing "I maybe getting old, but I can still burn rubber with the best of them"

12-18-2005, 08:20 PM	#5
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	Re: Unstable steering and wandering get it aligned. they will also be able to tell what exactly is the biggest problem. if you don't have enough caster it will make the front end feel like that. Could be many things. I would get it aligned with a 6 month warrenty then after you replace stuff you can get it re-aligned... Just what I would do... __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"



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