'68 Short Step....What's wrong with the steering?

[MotorSeven]

Ok gang, it's been awhile, but the truck is off the blocks for the first time in a year. I did a front crossmember swap with a mid 70's c-10 w/power steering. I put rallys & new tires, bearings,calipers,pads on & am having trouble with the steering. There is what i can describe as a "tight spot" around center, & once past it the steering gets easier. This occurs in both directions & causes a herky jerk as i go down the road. It's really fun when my foot is in the Holley because it is accentuated at speed & in curves.
So, i have no clue where to begin.....ball joints, steering knuckles, gear box??? Any help is appreciated.........

RD

[panhandler62]

Did you get the tie rod out of the newer truck? (You don't mention that)
It sounds like something is too long (too short?) between fixed pivots someplace there giving it a bit of a mechanical bind.

[leftcoast66]

I agree. Sounds like something is long and is binding one of the knuckles.

[MotorSeven]

Yes, tie rod was attached to the xmember & i did not change any of the adjustments. I am wondering if i should do an alignment & see how far off things are...........

RD

[leftcoast66]

Originally Posted by MotorSeven

Yes, tie rod was attached to the xmember & i did not change any of the adjustments. I am wondering if i should do an alignment & see how far off things are...........

RD

I would get someone to work the steering for you while you lay underneath and check it out. I'd do that before you do any work. Just because there are so many issues it could be.

[MotorSeven]

What? No "steering fairy" here that can wack me on the head with a SS wand with a star on it? Ok, it goes on the neighbors lift today to fix the 3 tranny leaks, so we will take a close look at everything then.

RD

[68GMCCustom]

a) if the draglink assembly is hanging too low it will rub on the crossmember...tighten up the pitman arm further?

b) if someone "over-adjusted" the ps gearbox...it can get tight at high center. Loosen the nut, back off the screw a 1/2 turn or so, tighten the nut back down and see what happens.

thats all I got.

[MotorSeven]

Thanks i will give that a try. One of the zerks refused to take grease, so i removed it & found that the zerk is ok. The joint may be rusted or corroded so bad that grease can't get in there. It's the knuckle on the pass side from the frame to the tie rod, so it could be part of the prob. Couldn't get it on the lift today.....hoping for 2morrow.

RD

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

a) if the draglink assembly is hanging too low it will rub on the crossmember...tighten up the pitman arm further?

b) if someone "over-adjusted" the ps gearbox...it can get tight at high center. Loosen the nut, back off the screw a 1/2 turn or so, tighten the nut back down and see what happens.

thats all I got.

[MotorSeven]

Well, i guess i "figured it out". The problem was actually getting better the more i drove it, but i still had some water in the fluid because it was milky. So i was removing the PS fluid, adding more, working the steering, then repeat. I just got it almost clear when "Bam" the front of the power steering gear box blew out shooting my almost clear fluid onto the driveway. It looked like it had been hit in it's previous life on the late 70's truck & an inch of the lip that holds the retainer clip broke off. So it's off to the bone yard to find another gearbox............{sigh}
Now, how do i center/line-up the new one when i do the install to make sure i have equal turns to each side??


RD