Steering is really stiff? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ecgate · 03-31-2013, 08:12 AM

I just got done putting together my front end on my 67. I have all new everything on it. And I can barely turn the spindles with my hands. Could it be really stiff from over tightening the nuts on the spindles, tie rods, pitman arm, and idle arm. I didn't know how tight to torque the nuts so I just snugged them up. It went together really smooth so I don't think anything is binding up. Any expertise would help. For your info I have a bare frame with just the front steering and suspension on it.

**TBONE1964** · 03-31-2013, 09:08 AM

Have you greased the ball joints and tie rods yet? That may help a little. Over tightening the nuts will not cause your problem.

Make sure you have nothing binding. If greasing does not help, remove the tie rods from the spindles and see if it still feels hard to turn.

Also remember, if you are trying to turn the steering by the spindle, there is not a lot of leverage there and it may feel harder to turn than it is.

Sammy · 03-31-2013, 10:12 AM

Agreed.

ecgate · 03-31-2013, 10:12 AM

I did grease everything but that didn't seem to help. I think Ill try to take the tie rod ends off and see if that helps.

**FirstOwner69** · 03-31-2013, 02:42 PM

If everything is brand new, it should be fairly tight. I assume you replaced things because they were worn/old... and probably loose.

I suggest that you get it on the road and see what happens before you lose too much sleep over it. As stated above, just be sure it's greased first.

Also, you don't have much leverage just grabbing the spindles to turn.

ecgate · 03-31-2013, 03:42 PM

Dont kid yourself i would love to be on the road but the rearend and frontend are the only parts on the frame. Im in the process of building a truck from the ground up.
Posted via Mobile Device

**FirstOwner69** · 03-31-2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecgate

Dont kid yourself i would love to be on the road but the rearend and frontend are the only parts on the frame. Im in the process of building a truck from the ground up.
Posted via Mobile Device

Gotcha!

I'm just ahead of you with my 69. I just got my cab on and interior in. I'm anxious too! Everything that moves in the front of mine is new and seems tight and is tough to turn by hand, but I'm turning the new tie rod ends, new idler arm, new pitman arm and new power steering gear. In my opinion, that's the way I want it at this point. I figure that that stuff is almost as easy to get to with everything back in place.

03-31-2013, 08:12 AM	#1
ecgate Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa Posts: 280	Steering is really stiff? I just got done putting together my front end on my 67. I have all new everything on it. And I can barely turn the spindles with my hands. Could it be really stiff from over tightening the nuts on the spindles, tie rods, pitman arm, and idle arm. I didn't know how tight to torque the nuts so I just snugged them up. It went together really smooth so I don't think anything is binding up. Any expertise would help. For your info I have a bare frame with just the front steering and suspension on it.

03-31-2013, 09:08 AM	#2
TBONE1964 Cluster King Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Junction City, OR Posts: 5,263	Re: Steering is really stiff? Have you greased the ball joints and tie rods yet? That may help a little. Over tightening the nuts will not cause your problem. Make sure you have nothing binding. If greasing does not help, remove the tie rods from the spindles and see if it still feels hard to turn. Also remember, if you are trying to turn the steering by the spindle, there is not a lot of leverage there and it may feel harder to turn than it is.

03-31-2013, 10:12 AM	#3
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Steering is really stiff? Agreed. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

03-31-2013, 10:12 AM	#4
ecgate Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa Posts: 280	Re: Steering is really stiff? I did grease everything but that didn't seem to help. I think Ill try to take the tie rod ends off and see if that helps.

03-31-2013, 02:42 PM	#5
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,846	Re: Steering is really stiff? If everything is brand new, it should be fairly tight. I assume you replaced things because they were worn/old... and probably loose. I suggest that you get it on the road and see what happens before you lose too much sleep over it. As stated above, just be sure it's greased first. Also, you don't have much leverage just grabbing the spindles to turn.

03-31-2013, 03:42 PM	#6
ecgate Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa Posts: 280	Re: Steering is really stiff? Dont kid yourself i would love to be on the road but the rearend and frontend are the only parts on the frame. Im in the process of building a truck from the ground up. Posted via Mobile Device



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