crappy steering after alignment - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BIGBLU 72 · 09-05-2011, 01:21 PM

i had my truck aligned and new inner and outer tie rods and idler arm. before the truck seemed to steer just fine but now it kinda throws its self on the other side of the road when i come out of a left banked turn? the camber on the wheels also seems to be off? its in need of shocks and it has a sway bar? what could be making it do this? ohh and its lowered too

BMERDOC · 09-05-2011, 01:28 PM

I would ask them to redo the alignment with details on why you think it should be done. Ask for a print out and post it.

**COBALT** · 09-05-2011, 03:09 PM

That sounds REALLY wrong. Typically for alignment they'll adjust the tie rod sleeves and add/remove shims behind your upper control arm. Check for loose tie rod sleeves and look for loose nuts or missing shims with your upper control arms. If you see any problems they screwed up the alignment and they need to fix it.

You could also check for play in your tie rods and center link. Jack up the truck with the front wheels free-wheeling and see if you can get your wheels to move back and forth on the front and back with the truck not running. It shouldn't move.

Do you have power steering? If so...Is it possible your steering box was the reason for your decision to rebuild and there's excessive play in it? What does your power steering fluid look like? If you can turn the wheels with power steering by hand then I'd say your steering box has had it. That's what happened to my '99 tahoe, and the reason for a major rebuild. Previous owner let the power steering pump die and starved the steering box for a while. After I replaced the pump and lines I noticed play in the steering box. That ends up impacting the pitman arm, idler, tie rods and center link over time.

SCOTI · 09-05-2011, 05:44 PM

Did they pull the drag/center link when replacing the tie-rods? If so, was it re-installed correctly? Common issue is to install it backwards which will physically fit but bind the steering as it turns through the arc.

BIGBLU 72 · 09-05-2011, 10:09 PM

i dont know about the draglink but it seems like the truck wont cut to the left now?

**COBALT** · 09-06-2011, 12:44 AM

What do you mean by "cut to the left"? Do you mean you turn the wheel left it doesn't respond like when you turn the wheel right with the same amount of force? You mentioned it reacts strange when you come out of a left turn - how so? What happens when you finish your turn? Can you safely let go of the wheel and the truck straigtens out like it's supposed to (the steering wheel spins in your hands) or what? What happens after a right turn?

If the idler was replaced but the pitman wasn't then there's no reason to pull the center link. It's actually more trouble than its worth. I think you'll have to get under there and take some pics and post them.

BIGBLU 72 · 09-06-2011, 01:32 PM

by cut i mean turn. the truck wont turn as sharply to its left. when coming out of a left turn when i straighten the wheel the truck seems to pull hard to its left for a split sec. i will try to get some pic up this weekend. turning right seems normal as can be no strange reactions

SCOTI · 09-06-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBALT

What do you mean by "cut to the left"? Do you mean you turn the wheel left it doesn't respond like when you turn the wheel right with the same amount of force? You mentioned it reacts strange when you come out of a left turn - how so? What happens when you finish your turn? Can you safely let go of the wheel and the truck straigtens out like it's supposed to (the steering wheel spins in your hands) or what? What happens after a right turn?

If the idler was replaced but the pitman wasn't then there's no reason to pull the center link. It's actually more trouble than its worth. I think you'll have to get under there and take some pics and post them.

Agreed, but not everyone does things the same way. Who swapped the parts?

BIGBLU 72 · 09-06-2011, 01:46 PM

i took it to a local alignment shop here in Ky. they have done work on my Jimmy before and did a good job but they def screwed something up this time

**lolife99** · 09-06-2011, 02:10 PM

Can you post some pics of your suspension?

BIGBLU 72 · 09-06-2011, 02:53 PM

Well I'm at college this week but I will this weekend
Posted via Mobile Device

09-05-2011, 01:21 PM	#1
BIGBLU 72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 700	crappy steering after alignment i had my truck aligned and new inner and outer tie rods and idler arm. before the truck seemed to steer just fine but now it kinda throws its self on the other side of the road when i come out of a left banked turn? the camber on the wheels also seems to be off? its in need of shocks and it has a sway bar? what could be making it do this? ohh and its lowered too __________________ 68 C10 LWB 2/4 drop 406/th400/3.73posi 04 Silverado SS LQ9 6.0/4L65e/4.11posi AWD Last edited by BIGBLU 72; 09-05-2011 at 01:22 PM. Reason: not enough info

09-05-2011, 01:28 PM	#2
BMERDOC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Richmond,Va Posts: 2,934	Re: crappy steering after alignment I would ask them to redo the alignment with details on why you think it should be done. Ask for a print out and post it. __________________ Nick Carter 1967 C10 Short bed Fleetside Project Cheap Thrills! 2WD C10 Modern/Performance Alignments Easiest Alignment Ever!

09-05-2011, 03:09 PM	#3
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Re: crappy steering after alignment That sounds REALLY wrong. Typically for alignment they'll adjust the tie rod sleeves and add/remove shims behind your upper control arm. Check for loose tie rod sleeves and look for loose nuts or missing shims with your upper control arms. If you see any problems they screwed up the alignment and they need to fix it. You could also check for play in your tie rods and center link. Jack up the truck with the front wheels free-wheeling and see if you can get your wheels to move back and forth on the front and back with the truck not running. It shouldn't move. Do you have power steering? If so...Is it possible your steering box was the reason for your decision to rebuild and there's excessive play in it? What does your power steering fluid look like? If you can turn the wheels with power steering by hand then I'd say your steering box has had it. That's what happened to my '99 tahoe, and the reason for a major rebuild. Previous owner let the power steering pump die and starved the steering box for a while. After I replaced the pump and lines I noticed play in the steering box. That ends up impacting the pitman arm, idler, tie rods and center link over time. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

09-05-2011, 05:44 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Re: crappy steering after alignment Did they pull the drag/center link when replacing the tie-rods? If so, was it re-installed correctly? Common issue is to install it backwards which will physically fit but bind the steering as it turns through the arc. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-05-2011, 10:09 PM	#5
BIGBLU 72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 700	Re: crappy steering after alignment i dont know about the draglink but it seems like the truck wont cut to the left now? __________________ 68 C10 LWB 2/4 drop 406/th400/3.73posi 04 Silverado SS LQ9 6.0/4L65e/4.11posi AWD

09-06-2011, 12:44 AM	#6
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Re: crappy steering after alignment What do you mean by "cut to the left"? Do you mean you turn the wheel left it doesn't respond like when you turn the wheel right with the same amount of force? You mentioned it reacts strange when you come out of a left turn - how so? What happens when you finish your turn? Can you safely let go of the wheel and the truck straigtens out like it's supposed to (the steering wheel spins in your hands) or what? What happens after a right turn? If the idler was replaced but the pitman wasn't then there's no reason to pull the center link. It's actually more trouble than its worth. I think you'll have to get under there and take some pics and post them. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

09-06-2011, 01:32 PM	#7
BIGBLU 72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 700	Re: crappy steering after alignment by cut i mean turn. the truck wont turn as sharply to its left. when coming out of a left turn when i straighten the wheel the truck seems to pull hard to its left for a split sec. i will try to get some pic up this weekend. turning right seems normal as can be no strange reactions __________________ 68 C10 LWB 2/4 drop 406/th400/3.73posi 04 Silverado SS LQ9 6.0/4L65e/4.11posi AWD

09-06-2011, 01:46 PM	#9
BIGBLU 72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 700	Re: crappy steering after alignment i took it to a local alignment shop here in Ky. they have done work on my Jimmy before and did a good job but they def screwed something up this time __________________ 68 C10 LWB 2/4 drop 406/th400/3.73posi 04 Silverado SS LQ9 6.0/4L65e/4.11posi AWD

09-06-2011, 02:10 PM	#10
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: crappy steering after alignment Can you post some pics of your suspension? __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

09-06-2011, 02:53 PM	#11
BIGBLU 72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 700	Re: crappy steering after alignment Well I'm at college this week but I will this weekend Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 68 C10 LWB 2/4 drop 406/th400/3.73posi 04 Silverado SS LQ9 6.0/4L65e/4.11posi AWD



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