1972 C10 Steering Problems

[WhiteC10]

I have a 72 C10 Cheyenne Super. We just got the suspension fixed, the previous owner had lowered it without a notch kit so the frame rails would hit the axle everytime you went over a bump. Now that is fixed driving down the road it has a hard time going straight, anything over 30 MPH is almost impossible to control. It goes from side to side and is all over the place. Does anyone know what the problem could be? It does have power steering.

[davischevy]

Assuming the front end is in alignment, if the steering box/sector is not centered, it can cause the vehicle to "dart" from side to side.






BTW, my signature has nothing to do with your question.

[WhiteC10]

I forgot to add in there that we had put drop spindles on the front also, and that's when it started doing it

[LockDoc]

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I think the first thing I would do is slide under it and have someone start the truck and slightly turn the wheels back and forth. Check the pivot points at the pitman arm, cross link, tie rods, and idler arm to see if there is any play or looseness in them. It sounds like the idler arm may be worn out or loose where it bolts to the frame. If nothing shows up with that jack the whole front end up so the the wheels are off the ground, put some jack stands under it where they don't interfere with turning the wheels side to side, then have someone grab the tire and move it back and forth and check the same points. Also, take the dust covers off of the front hubs and make sure that the spindle nuts are tight. (presuming it isn't a 4x4)

Just some things to check. Report back.

Oh, and welcome to the board....

LockDoc

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by WhiteC10

I forgot to add in there that we had put drop spindles on the front also, and that's when it started doing it

In that case, if you haven't had it aligned yet, that is probably the problem.

LockDoc

[WhiteC10]

After driving it some more, I think it may be the power sterring pump

[WhiteC10]

You can take the wheel and just barely turn it and take your hands off the wheel and it continues to turn under its own power

[Lee H]

Have you had it professionally aligned after all this work?

[Bigdav160]

It sounds like you don't have any caster angle

[WhiteC10]

No it hasn't been aligned

[Craftsmen]

You could do a preliminary alignment check yourself. I did this when I installed my 4/6 ECE drop kit, (drop spindles). After I put the truck on the ground the front tires were towed way in.
This method is good for checking toe.

You'll need: Jack, 2 jack stands, a length of string, tape measure and wrenches to fit tie rod ends.

Center your steering wheel. The truck is setting on a level flat surface. Your tires are aired up properly, etc.
Take a chock line (string, or fishing line, long enough to go from bumper to bumper.) and tie each end to the top of each jack stand, raise the stands up so the string is about center of the back wheel and front wheel. Put one jack stand at the back of the truck beyond the back wheel, by the back bumper. Place the other jack stand at the front near the front bumper. Move the stands out away from each other to make the string tight like a long guitar string. Move the front and back jack stands side to side so the string is just kissing the REAR tire, front and back. Take a tape measure and measure the gap between the string and the front tire, front and back. Now adjust your tie rod end to square the measurement so the gap between the string and the front tire are the same each side of the front tire. What you are doing here is squaring your rear wheel/tire to the front wheel/tire. Now repeat this same procedure on the other side of the truck. You'll have to jack up the front wheel of course for each time you make a tie rod end movement, lower it back down and readjust your jack stands, recheck. This will adjust your toe so its straight up. If you need to space out the string from the back tire to gain more of a gap at the front wheel/tire to measure, you can duct tape two spacers on the rear tire at the center each side of the rear tire. When we did this on our race car we used to use two beer cans, LOL. As long as your spacers are the same diameter.
On the race car we were always getting the wheels knocked of it.(Bad driver) We used to square the right rear with the right front then use toe boards to adjust the left front to get 1/8" toe. I believe the spec. is 1/8" toe in for or trucks too.
Your alignment guy will be amazed on how close you can get it this way. I hope the helps a little and I've explained this well enough to make sense. Craftsmen

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by WhiteC10

No it hasn't been aligned

With all that work I'm surprised the tires aren't scuffing and squealing on the test drive. A good quality alignment will more than likely solve your issue.

[Craftsmen]

Lee H your trucks just like mine!

[Lee H]

You have a great looking truck! One of my favorite color combos.

[Craftsmen]

After looking at your pics, I think I wanna just smash mine, LOL, yours is beautiful😜

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by Craftsmen

After looking at your pics, I think I wanna just smash mine, LOL, yours is beautiful��

Thank you sir, I would have your truck in a heart beat!