It really wanders, tricky to drive.

[CG]

So I picked up my K20 a little while ago. I don't drive it much, Ive been picking up parts a little at a time (to make it mine).

One of my nephews has been driving it though. He's 17, loves the truck, but told me it wanders on the road and is tricky to drive. I took it for a pretty long drive yesterday, didn't notice any excessive problems. Then it hit me, Ive been driving old trucks and cars forever. And compensating for their quirks driving down the road is just second nature for us.

I think he just needs a little more seat time

[In The Ten Ring]

Install a pin hole camera and see if the "wandering" is occurring when he's texting, dialing, or otherwise goofing off on his iphone rather than holding the wheel.

[special-K]

I can't keep new stuff on the road

[davepl]

Is it possible it could benefit from an alignment with more caster maybe? Something to keep it straight inline so it doesn't want to change directions so readily. Might make it feel more like a newer vehicle too.

But yes, 50 year old recirculating ball, worm and sector gear in a bouncy 4x4 3/4 ton is along way from a rack and pinion Civic. But you don't want him wrecking, so he's got to get used to it and ideally improve it however you can.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by special-K

I can't keep new stuff on the road

I can relate!

[RINC]

Originally Posted by stocker

I can relate!

x2

[67chevy_hotrod]

I'm 19 and driving old trucks is all I know. New stuff is too touchy and I can't feel like I'm in control. I'd rather my no P/S no P/B 3/4ton longhorn over anything new for drive quality and experience. First truck was a scrapped together 67 half ton, ol Sue. She will be back and better then ever

[Grumpy old man]

Haha, Many of the younger crowd immediately start replacing front suspension parts not realizing that "You actually have to drive these old trucks " not just monitor the forward motion !

[special-K]

I suggest everyone go out and get a captain's license before taking on steering an old truck. Old trucks take far less wheel rotation than a boat

[Grumpy old man]

Do you think I could send a '67 to Google and have them out fit it to drive itself ? I much rather sit on a bale of hay in the back like we did when we were kids !

[frenchy51]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Do you think I could send a '67 to Google and have them out fit it to drive itself ? I much rather sit on a bale of hay in the back like we did when we were kids !

X2 Some of my best memories are riding into town in my uncle's Apache. He could cram 6 of us cousins in the cab no problem. Didn't even need to use the bed. Learned to drive in that truck-my uncle would put it in gear and let me steer while he feed sheep hay from the back. I thought I was pretty good at it until I decided to hit the gas a bit hard one day and lost him and a few bales off the back....Ah memories....

[67ChevyRedneck]

You're supposed to sway the steering wheel back and forth a couple inches to keep it straight, right?

[Livrat]

Hmmmm.. I think there may be multiple issues.
(1) Your nephew is used to newer vehicles which if you sneeze on the steering wheel you change lanes.
(2) Big tires with wide flat tread that are 3/4 of the way wore out.
(3) Front suspension and steering that has 100K of hard miles on it with sporadic lube jobs

[CG]

Just noticed you posted Mark, I think its number one ... Anyone that's driven for awhile compensates for the eccentricities of an old truck automatically. BTW, they both love the truck.

I was down at Franks yesterday and picked up a few things. I had one of my nephews put in the new glove box insert, it took a little doing but he got it in. It was bugging them there wasn't one in there haha. I picked up a couple of door sill plates too. Im not to the point where they need to go in, but the other nephew wanted to see something shiny in there =)

[In The Ten Ring]

Speaking of "steering wheel play" my daily driver (2002 Accord) has had about 4 inches of play with her wheel for something like 4 years now. I finally had the shop do a good inspection and they said "your tie rods are worn out!"

I'll get new tie rods sometime this year. It' isn't a big deal at all and I drive a lot in city but also on the highway.

[RINC]

Real happy with the steering on my C-20. Had it out on the freeway this weekend. Drove better than I had hoped.

[Blue/72]

I'm 18 and I've grown up driving my 72 since I was seven or eight in the hayfield. Whenever I try to drive my moms 2015 Ford fusion I can barely stand it. The steering, accelerator, and brakes are also touchy (and all are electronicly controlled) it feels like a video game controller rather than driving a real American car or truck. I like knowing that metal and steel is tuning my wheels, not wiring and computers.. Just my opinion

[CG]

So we got the new tires and mags on the K20 tonight. My nephews came over and helped me get it done. My younger nephew has his permit now so I let him take first spin with the new stuff. Its the first time he's ever gotten to drive any of my old junk.

He loved it. Loved the way it steered. Said he really liked the big skinny steering wheel and how easy it turns. When we got back his brother said ... Steers funny huh?

[JCD]

It's not always the ball joints or the rag joint..

The one part of the steering wheel play that few address, is the play in the steering box itself.
On the top of the gear box there's a locking nut that holds the adjustment screw in place.
Back off the nut, and turn the adjustment screw clockwise 1/8th turn to start.
If that doesn't do it, try another 1/8 turn.
I've done this in the past to several cars, and it improves the steering immeasurably.

J.

[davepl]

Does anyone know the "Factory Approved" means of setting the steering box lash (or whatever)? In my past lives I only made things worse trying to monkey with it, so have avoided touching them ever since.

I assume it's not as simple as tighter is better, or that'd be a routine maintenance item. What happens if you tighten it when it didn't need it, for example?

[JCD]

It's pretty much the same as setting the tightness on a wheel bearing.
It'll only tighten if there's room to.

I should mention that the previously mentioned adjuster bolt on the top is only a slight adjustment anyway.
The main bearing load is on the side where the steering shaft goes into the box.
There's a tightening ring that holds it in place.
By backing off this ring you can tighten up the adjuster plug.
After it's tight, back it off just a touch, then lock the ring.

You'll be surprised at the change.
It can remove a lot of steering slop.

The above method is for adjusting it on the vehicle, but if you're going to remove the box, it's best to clean out the old grease, and inspect the bearings.

J.

[dazza]

Well for now, I did the top adjustment 1/8 turn like you had mentioned and it made a noticeable difference for sure. I just did another 1/8 turn and will be testing it again in a few hours. Thanks for the tip!

[swamp rat]

A word of caution, only do that top adjustment with the steering wheel at full turn, then check it at the opposite side, if you adjust too much in the center where all the wear is the wheel can bind up in a full turn, maybe more of a problem without power steering but binding is binding.

[dazza]

uhhh... ooops. So that's about 1/4 turn I have into it already. Should I crank it back or leave it??

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by dazza

uhhh... ooops. So that's about 1/4 turn I have into it already. Should I crank it back or leave it??

If it binds up just loosen it a little then turn the wheel full lock and readjust.

I found out the hard way when i was about 16, adjusted it and took off and the next sharp turn i locked it and had to hit the brakes (gravel road)