steering wheel wont rotate back to center on its own

[jammer3096]

I just installed my second brand new gear box and still have the same problem. The steering wheel wont come back to center on its own and steering feels really tight while driving. Just got alignment done. I adjusted the nut on top of gear box but could feel any difference. Any help wont be appreciated.

[PGSigns]

Can you give us more information on your truck it would help.
Jimmy

[jammer3096]

Sorry that would. 72 chevy short bed with power steering. Gear boxes have come from O'riellys. Front end is pretty new and tight. Its been lower apprx. 4 inches in front. It will drive straight but I fight it down the road. I truly believe the alignment was done correctly.(MY third one)

[cableguy0]

Something in the geometry of your suspension is incorrect. I would be worried that something is binding. Any chance of pictures? Are your tie rods level or at an upward angle toward at the wheels? How was the truck lowered?

[jammer3096]

Ill get some pics tomorrow. 3 inch drop spindles and inch of new factory springs cut.

[jammer3096]

Attached some pics. I'll send a few more so they might help. Thanks.

[jammer3096]

Something I did forget to mention. I installed a new aftermarket steering column, shaft and rag joint. It seems like there might be a little play but might be normal. Just a little more info.

[Chevydude56]

Can you post the specs the alignment was set to ?

[jammer3096]

Camber 0
Caster 14
Not sure on toe

[PGSigns]

Im thinking the caster is to straight up and down for the 3" drop spindles.
Jimmy

[Tx Firefighter]

Fourteen degrees of caster ? There's a mistake there somewhere. Half that would be closer to right.

[jammer3096]

I'm sorry miss quoted
Camber 0
Caster 2.4
Toe .14

[jammer3096]

I disconnected the tie rods on both sides. the left wheel is a little stiffer and the right wheelis a little bit looser when hand turning.Not sure on which is correct.

[cableguy0]

I assume its hard to turn at idle sitting still too? With the tie rods unhooked see if its still hard to turn the steering wheel. You pretty much will have to go down the line disconnecting stuff until it stops binding. The not returning could either be a caster problem or just because something is binding or too tight.

[jammer3096]

I will try that. I did change the upper and lower ball joints on the left side today but it is still pretty tight I'm going to do the right side tomorrow to see if it tightened it up or if its still loose.

[66 C10 383]

Both wheels should turn side to side very easily with the tie rods off. As in, with 1 finger full sweep. If the ball joints are brand new then it might be a little bit tighter but it's hard to tell in the pics.

How easily does the steering wheel turn lock to lock since the tie rods are off? Any resistance or tight spots?

[66 C10 383]

I'm too slow ... LoL

[jammer3096]

It definitely is not that easy to move. Ill check steering tomorrow with rods off

[66 C10 383]

Check to see how hard the steering wheel is to turn and then maybe disconnect the rag joint from the steering box. That way you have everything separated and can check it all out. Steering column, steering box and linkage, each tire and wheel.

[jammer3096]

Can u over tighten the nut on ball joints by hand. The reason I ask is when I loosen up the nuts the tires turn easier

[66 C10 383]

I'm not sure what the torque on the ball joint nuts are right off hand but if you can loosen them by hand ... please don't drive it ...

Or was you saying with a wrench by hand?

[66 C10 383]

When you tighten the stud on the ball joint you're simply pulling the tapered stud into the spindle tighter. It shouldn't get easier or harder, no matter how tight the stud is, it should still rotate in the "ball" of the ball joint.

[jammer3096]

I know it doesn't make sense.

[66 C10 383]

While it's jacked up put a board or bar between the tire and floor and raise up on it to see if you have any up and down movement in the ball joints.

[PGSigns]

Go through and make sure you have all the nuts on the ball joints good and tight and the cotter pins in them. Put it all back together and make sure it is all tight. Now go back and re check the adjustment you made to the steering box and make sure you have not got it to tight. The adjuster screw should just go to zero lash and no tighter. You have never mentioned bleeding the power steering and that will make it stiff till you get the air out. With it on jacks still turn it lock to lock several times with out the engine running and then start it up and do the same thing. You should fell a smooth easy turn lock to lock if the air is out. If you feel tight spots and stiffness as you do it the box is still air locked. Once you get that worked out take it back and get the alignment shop to get the closer to 6.
Jimmy