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

eightbanger · 07-13-2010, 06:16 PM

Guys! just wanted to ask if there was anything that can be done to improve the turning circle on our Trucks? ie steering upgrades or adjustments?.....I have a standard power steering unit on there, 4 turns lock to lock.

Do your wheels stick out any further on full lock than mine?

cdowns · 07-13-2010, 08:24 PM

smaller diameter front tires give better turning radius

eightbanger · 07-14-2010, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

smaller diameter front tires give better turning radius

That makes sense cd, but it's not like they are hitting the inner fenders on full lock or rubbing anywhere for that matter. Can anyone take a look at their wheels on full lock and let me know if mine look about the same?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 07-14-2010, 07:27 AM

I turned the wheels out to full left as your picture and could not see any difference. I am not sure if the comparison is definitive. Do the stops come into contact when the wheels are fully turned?

My only other thought is to check the drag link to make sure that is installed correctly.

Jim

eightbanger · 07-14-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimKshortstep4x4

I turned the wheels out to full left as your picture and could not see any difference. I am not sure if the comparison is definitive. Do the stops come into contact when the wheels are fully turned?

My only other thought is to check the drag link to make sure that is installed correctly.

Jim

Thanks for doing that Jim I've got no chance to compare with anyone so I appreciate that. I took a couple of pics and it looks like the stops do not touch.

But an even bigger problem has come to light I spotted a crack in the frame where the steering box bolts on, had my wife turn the wheel to see what was going on under there an it looks like it's about ready to tear loose.

You Tube

eightbanger · 07-14-2010, 03:53 PM

Once I strip everything off, will just welding the cracks be strong enough or should I have a piece of metal welded to the inside of the frame to support it ?

missinfishin10 · 07-14-2010, 04:02 PM

holy mackerel, its moving a lot. better get it fixed asap. i would back it up with a plate inside. whew, good thing you caught that!!!

**john** · 07-14-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missinfishin10

holy mackerel, its moving a lot. better get it fixed asap. i would back it up with a plate inside. whew, good thing you caught that!!!

Yikes!!! x2 on the plate.

eightbanger · 07-14-2010, 06:19 PM

Thanks guys....This has now become my priority job, gonna start stripping it down tomorrow to get a better look.
Any thoughts on why my bump stops don't touch on full lock? can I adjust something?

**john** · 07-14-2010, 06:35 PM

I think they will when you get the frame fixed. The frame was flexing too much.

OldSkool71 · 07-14-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john

I think they will when you get the frame fixed. The frame was flexing too much.

JRBECK64 · 07-14-2010, 07:26 PM

Holly Crap, I think I am going to go look at my Sons trucks now that Ive seen that. WOW.

JRBECK64

JimKshortstep4x4 · 07-14-2010, 07:56 PM

Some of the 4x4's came out with a reenforcement that fits inside the frame. If you can locate one and install it along with welding your frame you will be good to go.

Jim

PS: I have not seen a truck frame that was cracked up that much! Good thing that you started looking at your problem.

Sinister · 07-14-2010, 08:07 PM

That scared the pi$$ out of me. Off to check my frame.

Hubscrub · 07-14-2010, 10:22 PM

CRAP -O, thats crazy, good thing you thought to ask this ? or you might not have caught it in time

07-13-2010, 06:16 PM	#1
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Steering question Guys! just wanted to ask if there was anything that can be done to improve the turning circle on our Trucks? ie steering upgrades or adjustments?.....I have a standard power steering unit on there, 4 turns lock to lock. Do your wheels stick out any further on full lock than mine? __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

07-13-2010, 08:24 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Steering question smaller diameter front tires give better turning radius __________________ 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

07-14-2010, 07:27 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Steering question I turned the wheels out to full left as your picture and could not see any difference. I am not sure if the comparison is definitive. Do the stops come into contact when the wheels are fully turned? My only other thought is to check the drag link to make sure that is installed correctly. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

07-14-2010, 03:53 PM	#6
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Steering question Once I strip everything off, will just welding the cracks be strong enough or should I have a piece of metal welded to the inside of the frame to support it ? __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

07-14-2010, 04:02 PM	#7
missinfishin10 Amazed Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dahlonega Georgia Posts: 486	Re: Steering question holy mackerel, its moving a lot. better get it fixed asap. i would back it up with a plate inside. whew, good thing you caught that!!! __________________ 71 LWB Fleetside 1950 3100 Original Project!

07-14-2010, 06:19 PM	#9
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Steering question Thanks guys....This has now become my priority job, gonna start stripping it down tomorrow to get a better look. Any thoughts on why my bump stops don't touch on full lock? can I adjust something? __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

07-14-2010, 06:35 PM	#10
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: Steering question I think they will when you get the frame fixed. The frame was flexing too much. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

07-14-2010, 07:26 PM	#12
JRBECK64 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cornelius Oregon Posts: 1,073	Re: Steering question Holly Crap, I think I am going to go look at my Sons trucks now that Ive seen that. WOW. JRBECK64

07-14-2010, 07:56 PM	#13
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Steering question Some of the 4x4's came out with a reenforcement that fits inside the frame. If you can locate one and install it along with welding your frame you will be good to go. Jim PS: I have not seen a truck frame that was cracked up that much! Good thing that you started looking at your problem. __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

07-14-2010, 08:07 PM	#14
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Steering question That scared the pi$$ out of me. Off to check my frame. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

07-14-2010, 10:22 PM	#15
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: Steering question CRAP -O, thats crazy, good thing you thought to ask this ? or you might not have caught it in time __________________ 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



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