Wet Roads = Squirrely Steering

[blown240]

I thought I had the alignment on my truck pretty much set, at least for the next couple months until I upgrade to power steering. But this morning it rained, and on the wet roads my truck is all over the place!

What causes this? Camber?

I am supposed to drive about 80 miles tomorrow, but if it rains anymore, I'm stuck!

[slepysal]

So how are your tires?

[blown240]

Fronts tires are good, rears are about half worn, but this issue is definitely in the front.

It almost feels like if 1 side is in a puddle, the truck darts that way... if that makes any sense.

[The Rocknrod]

I used to drive a 53 Chevy 5 window pickup that had manual steering (I-Beam axle) when I was younger. I used to have to "read" the road surface to know how to counter steer. Rain was not always fun.
When it's your only transportation you do what you have to do.
But to answer your question - I don't know.

[blown240]

WELL CRAP!

The question about tires got me thinking.... So I went out and double checked. The passenger side is wearing odd. I jacked up the front of the truck out by the ball joints and found play in 2 ball joints and the steering box that wasn't there 2 months ago.

At this point, I guess I have to save up some money and just go thru the entire front end.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by blown240

WELL CRAP!

The question about tires got me thinking.... So I went out and double checked. The passenger side is wearing odd. I jacked up the front of the truck out by the ball joints and found play in 2 ball joints and the steering box that wasn't there 2 months ago.

At this point, I guess I have to save up some money and just go thru the entire front end.

that play wasn't in the ball joints a little over a month ago when you replaced one and checked the rest of the steering?
ron

[blown240]

Originally Posted by padresag

that play wasn't in the ball joints a little over a month ago when you replaced one and checked the rest of the steering?
ron

The other 3 were totally solid when I replaced the one. They aren't real bad yet, but there is play.

[vince1]

I checked the first one and it had play so I bought them all. Changed that first one I had checked last, only to find it had never been tightened. A couple of turns of the nut would have tightened it and I suspect the originals were probably of better quality than the replacements. Oh well, I won't ever have to drill out the rivets again.

[blown240]

Mine have been changed at least once before since the uppers are bolt in. Time to do it again!

[franken]

I seem to recall that if the toe is out it'll have a tendency to dart one way then the other.

[padresag]

speaking of tires, you do not have a mixture of radials and bias on there do you?
ron

[blown240]

Nope. All 4 are Goodyears.

[padresag]

goodyear made both radials and bias ply tires and and if you ran both combined it wood give one a squirrely feeling. this is an old problem from the 60's when radials first starting appearing on US production vehicles. people would put on 2 new radials and have 2 bias tires and it would give them that wandering feeling going down the road.
do you know what bias ply tire is?
ron

[blown240]

Padresag - I appreciate your help! Yes, I am very familiar with bias plys. My 56 merc and 51 Chevy had them. My panel has radials.

Good looking out though!! I appreciate your time and constructive ideas!