1974 C10 Wanders all over the road.

[ClassicNut]

We have completed a full body off restoration. The truck has 17 275 60's. 30" tall around 10.5 wide on 8" wide rims. The entire front end has been replaced, including the steering box. Power steering was added from a '75.

The truck won't hold the road. Wanders all over. Sometimes darts. If you turn the steering loose it tracks straight for a little while and then will take off. When we put the small tires back on the front it seems to drive perfectly fine. The alignment is fine although it turns sharper to one side then the other. Any ideas?

Thanks for any help.

Kerry

[Jonboy]

The wider heels do have a tendency to grab ruts in the road, and make it pull. As far as the shorter turning on one side, make sure that the center link is on correctly. Mine was upside down and backwards, and my turning radius was horrible. It also would not turn to the left. Flipping that and turning it, and it turns perfectly.

[ClassicNut]

Thanks for the information. I have the same size tires on a 2000 truck with none of these types of symptoms. We have been told it is because of the height of the tires compared to the stock which I believe were 28 tall. We will check out the center link.

[Hubscrub]

my truck has been doing the same thing since i put it back together my 71 that is and it won't turn to the left near enough and too much to the right and wanders while driving i will check my center link also, and if i find something else out i will pass along to you

[joebuick]

Hey Guys,, I am anxiously waiting to see if somebody comes up with a cure for the road walking problem. My 80 K10 started doing the same after changing steering column and gearbox. We never touched the center link,,,but now i'm thinking maybe the PO did do that??? Hmmmmm

[68GMCCustom]

Sounds like it may need some more caster. Also, are the spindles/wheel bearings properly tightened?

[po_bird]

did you have the alignment done with the larger wheels on?

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by ClassicNut

Thanks for the information. I have the same size tires on a 2000 truck with none of these types of symptoms. We have been told it is because of the height of the tires compared to the stock which I believe were 28 tall. We will check out the center link.

any update?, i must tell that i checked my center link today and it was on backwards and i fixed it and it drives sooo much better and turns great, lessons learned

[BruthaMan]

I'll have to check my center link as well.

Since the restoration, I've noticed this very same problem. I called it "floating around the road." It makes for a challenging drive, to say the least. Hit a bump and WHOO, hold on!

I've had alignment done already and we adjusted the steering box, but no change.

[Hubscrub]

i agree it was to the point were i didn't enjoy driveing it, i had mine apart so long i forgot how stuff went i will do better next time i take apart

[grinch4om]

pictures of before and after?

[joebuick]

Hey,,, Now you really got my attention. How can you tell when the center link is on backwards? Joe r

[Hubscrub]

it just looks wrong, on my 71 the tie rods were on the outside in a weird angle, now they are on the back side with the nuts toward the front, just looks right and the holes for them is 90 degree from the ground

[Hubscrub]

classic nut, have you figured out your problem?

[Lated]

Don't know if the '74s had coil sprung rears, but if yours does you may want to check that your rear is centered. When I lowered my '70 I installed an adjustable panhard bar on the rear. I didn't have the full weight of the truck on the rear tires when I centered it and once I tried to drive it it wandered all over the place. As it turned out, with the full weight on the ground the rear was off center by nearly an inch and a half. Fixed it and the truck drives perfectly straight now.

[D.FENS]

Did you replace the control arm bushings when you rebuilt the front end?

My dually likes to swerve all over the damn road under moderate to heavy braking. Pretty sure it needs bushings, I'm trying to not drive it much until I get the funds / parts together.

[ClassicNut]

Thanks for all of the ideas. We are on vacation this week away from the truck. We will work on it next week. We did replace all of the bushings, tie rod ends, drag link, etc. We will go back and test to make sure everything is tight. We have got to look at the center link to see if it is backwards. I will give you an update next week. Again, thanks for all of the ideas.

[BruthaMan]

Big thanks to those with advice in this thread.

Sure enough, the center link was installed to the front instead of the rear. We swapped that on Sunday and I took it out for a test drive yesterday it drives like a dream now!

[86lovelongbeds]

My 86 4x4 has the same issues of wandering around. Could one of you guys please give some sort of picture or reference so I know what you mean by center link? I am fairly un-educated on front suspension and have no idea what you mean by center link.

[BruthaMan]

You have the steering box. Attached to that is a pitman arm. The pitman arm attaches to the center link on the drivers side and runs across to the passenger side. The tie rod ends connect to the center link bar.

There are some pics here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=400205

[dropd80s]

Originally Posted by joebuick

Hey Guys,, I am anxiously waiting to see if somebody comes up with a cure for the road walking problem. My 80 K10 started doing the same after changing steering column and gearbox. We never touched the center link,,,but now i'm thinking maybe the PO did do that??? Hmmmmm

Originally Posted by 86lovelongbeds

My 86 4x4 has the same issues of wandering around. Could one of you guys please give some sort of picture or reference so I know what you mean by center link? I am fairly un-educated on front suspension and have no idea what you mean by center link.

The problem these guys are describing is on 2WD trucks, the steering is totally different for you two with 4X4s. Have your alignment done to ensure yours is within spec. Also bearings and your steering stabilizer can have a significant effect on the drivability of a 4WD truck. A tire with separating tread or that are out of balance can have negative effects also.

That’s crazy. I would have never guessed this seemingly isolated incident could help so many people. Awesome info guys. I'll make sure mine is on correctly when she goes back together.

[joebuick]

Aw man, Hey dropd80s,,, you broke the bubble. and here I was all primed up to check out the center link on my 80 K10 and finally correct the wandering problem,, and then you state this possible solution does not apply to 4X4s,,,,, Ha,!! I did start to think maybe the "steering stabiliser" may prolly be the culprit. but all it really is, is a shock absorber to take care of side to side motion so that may be the problem, ?? I'm going to take it loose and check it out. I am getting really fed up with not knowing what is wrong.

[swissarmychainsaw]

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

my truck has been doing the same thing since i put it back together my 71 that is and it won't turn to the left near enough and too much to the right and wanders while driving i will check my center link also, and if i find something else out i will pass along to you

Don't lean on your own understanding, turn to the list for a little help! :-)

This sounds like a classic symptom of having your pitman arm on at the correct spot.

The other option is that your tie rods are not evenly adjusted.

With your steering wheel centered you should be able to turn 1 3/4 turns in both directions, or at least the same amount.

Wandering is a sign of worn pitman and idler arm. I just replaced mine and it took all that badness away. Bad tires could cause or contribute also.

[nekkidhillbilly]

ive had cars that are brand new do this cause of just out of round tires worth a check