06-09-2011, 12:13 AM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Everett,Washington
Posts: 6
|
Sloppy Steering
Hey i have a 69 chevy stepside and ive only owned her for about three months now. Its my first project and ive finally worked out all her kinks to get her running as my daily driver. ive noticed my steering is pretty sloppy especially on the freeway does anybody have any advice as to tighten it up. preciate your time.
|
06-09-2011, 01:30 AM | #2 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DFW
Posts: 1,427
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
Get someone to move the wheel back and forth while you look at the rag joint, and under the truck at the front end parts. You're not moving the tires, just using the slop in the steering.
If the front end is tight but it wanders on the road, maybe there's an alignment problem. Last edited by 72lb4x4; 06-09-2011 at 01:31 AM. |
06-09-2011, 06:55 AM | #3 |
Its a Truck Thing......
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 3,179
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
Power or manual steering?
Smitty
__________________
71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time 70 G20 Red-E-Kamp Conversion "I'm your Boogy Van" |
06-09-2011, 03:48 PM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Overland Park, Ks.
Posts: 5,229
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
You need to get under it & pull & tug on everything under there & replace anything that has looseness in it. Like Meangreen asks, it makes a difference if its manual or power steering. The manual steering gearboxes can get a lot of play in them. It would be a good time to switch to power. I have a 70 just like it & it handles like a sports car. It drives better then my wifes new Buick or my HHR.
|
06-09-2011, 04:10 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Sullivan County, NY
Posts: 455
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
I lost a lot of slop in my steering when I put new tires on. Still not perfect, but better...
|
06-09-2011, 04:15 PM | #6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: OLIVEHURST CA
Posts: 570
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
Quote:
|
|
06-09-2011, 07:01 PM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO
Posts: 526
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
Make sure you wheels are aligned....also turn them in just a tad...that helped with my sloppiness a whole lot.
|
06-09-2011, 10:17 PM | #8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Upland Ca
Posts: 4,147
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
I'm sure you will find it's a little play in all components adding up to your sloppiness. The only way to really get it right is to take it to a front end shop and have them look at it and give you a list of bad parts. My 72 needed a steering box, ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, and pitman arm. Now it's tight and goes down the highway straight and true. even the slightest wear in each part adds up.
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703 |
06-11-2011, 06:41 PM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Everett,Washington
Posts: 6
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
It's power and on the steering shaft to check for sloppyiness hold the bottom half and play with the wheel correct? Is any free play acceptable?It sat for four years before i got it so i wouldnt doubt any of those parts being worn. Thanks for the help.
|
06-11-2011, 06:46 PM | #10 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,971
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
It's a 40 year old truck... So i'm sure a lot of the parts, if original, are worn and need replaced. Get someone to turn the wheel back and forth while you are under it looking at the draglink, tie rods and pitman/idler arms... trust me... you'll see the slop. It will be totally obvious.
Gary
__________________
'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
Quote:
|
||
06-11-2011, 07:00 PM | #11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fall River California
Posts: 2,026
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
Do as everyone suggested so far, I had the same problem when I bought my last truck, I couldn't see anything moving when someone turned the wheel while I watched, it all looked tight, I went ahead and took a wrench to all the tie rod ends and snugged them up, the nut on each one turned a half to a full turn. I replaced all the cotter pins, took it for a drive and what a difference! All those loose joints added up to a LOT of play! It only takes a couple minutes to make most of the play go away. Make sure you replace all the cotter pins! It sucks when you lose a nut on your steering!
Posted via Mobile Device |
06-12-2011, 08:21 AM | #12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 1,280
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
My father always talk me to jack it up and tug on things, (stands of course) and look around for losseness, play. etc..but he also said - always start with your idler arm - most bang for the buck and seems to wear out faster. I have had trucks that were almost undrivable where this one change alone got rid of 8 inches of play down to one.
Last edited by ubtripn; 06-12-2011 at 08:21 AM. |
06-12-2011, 09:42 AM | #13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Moxee, WA
Posts: 10
|
Re: Sloppy Steering
My problem was the steering box output shaft moved side to side and in and out. Also tie rods had play that all equated to the death wobble. Just jack it uo and have someone turn the wheek back and forth it will be easy to detect then problem.
|
Bookmarks |
|
|