I guess my steering box is bad

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

Got my front end together and took it to Les Schwab Tire Center and was told my Steering Box is too tight, needs to be replaced. I haven't even put 100 miles on it and it's herky jerky and stiff. On the freeway it feels like it starts to pull one way or the other and I have to really stay on top of driving because it doesn't seem to return, if you know what I mean. But I guess the alignment is good.

lifetime warranty so do you think I should send it back and get another? Just confirming unless someone knows something I don't. I guess they don't adjust them anymore.

[NoStopN]

Hilariously, when I had my ball joints put in last year, the shop told me that they tightened mine up.

[Boog]

"herky jerky" and hard to drive sounds an awful lot like others who have found their steering center link was installed backwards. Your alignment shop might not catch it. Post up a pic below the bumper showing a good view of the center link and tie rods and maybe we can verify yours is on right.
That looks like a fairly new steering sector and they don't wear out quickly.

[Bigdav160]

Plus the new CPP box and hoses

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

Originally Posted by Boog

"herky jerky" and hard to drive sounds an awful lot like others who have found their steering center link was installed backwards. Your alignment shop might not catch it. Post up a pic below the bumper showing a good view of the center link and tie rods and maybe we can verify yours is on right.
That looks like a fairly new steering sector and they don't wear out quickly.

I was thinking it was pretty bad luck to have a bad box already as well. I didn't think of putting the center link backwards, thought it only went one way to fit. Maybe you can tell by the pics but it's hard to see.

[RodnRudy]

Yep, it's on backwards, the grease jerks on the tie rod end go to the rear of the link, castle nuts to the front.

[dmjlambert]

It's like deja vu all over again...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=730496

[Metaldoc]

On backwards. I put 90 deg. grease fittings on the inner tie rods.

[kwmech]

And torque down the sector shaft nut, looks loose in the photo

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

Originally Posted by kwmech

And torque down the sector shaft nut, looks loose in the photo

Well I feel like a dummy. Thanks to you guys I'll go out this morning and get it right and take it back for alignment. I feel ignorant already so I might as well ask where is the sector shaft nut?

[midniteblues]

It's the big nut that attaches the arm on the bottom of the steering box. Make it tight.


Too easy to do this should be some sorta sticky

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

Originally Posted by midniteblues

It's the big nut that attaches the arm on the bottom of the steering box. Make it tight.

Too easy to do this should be some sorta sticky

Copy that midniteblues. Thanks mucho!

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

So it looks like I'll have to totally disconnect the center link and flip it around and put tie rods in the right way. Check check double check! Thanks again everybody.

[tjc]

great call on center link

[midniteblues]

With alot of these truck going through disk brake and suspention upgrades.
And because it's easy and looks right too install that center link backwards it's happening quite often.

It's been asked alot here lately.

Once you get that link flipped you'll be set for some smooth sailing then.

[midniteblues]

Originally Posted by kwmech

And torque down the sector shaft nut, looks loose in the photo

He ain't ****tin, take a close look at the nut and lock washer in this pic!

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

Originally Posted by midniteblues

He ain't ****tin, take a close look at the nut and lock washer in this pic!

Yuuuup! I'll tighten that bad boy up this morning.

[randy500]

Its good to hear the steering box is tight, rebuilds are always too loose, I want to buy one of those CPP boxes, now I will....
Too bad those dummies at the shop cant see that the center link is installed backwards, chevy only had that arrangement for over 30 years, I think the newer trucks still use it, idiots!!

[randy500]

I will still go to les schwab for free flat tire repair....

[68is4me]

Originally Posted by randy500

Its good to hear the steering box is tight, rebuilds are always too loose, I want to buy one of those CPP boxes, now I will....
Too bad those dummies at the shop cant see that the center link is installed backwards, chevy only had that arrangement for over 30 years, I think the newer trucks still use it, idiots!!

That's kind of harsh, These trucks are almost 50 years old. The guy doing the alignment is probably half that in age. They are easy to get installed incorrectly if you don't work on them every day and I wouldn't be upset at the shop.

[randy500]

Originally Posted by 68is4me

That's kind of harsh, These trucks are almost 50 years old. The guy doing the alignment is probably half that in age. They are easy to get installed incorrectly if you don't work on them every day and I wouldn't be upset at the shop.

Its a very common type of steering system that every mechanic should be familiar with and in use on current vehicles or at least into the 2000's. Made in front and rear steer designs that always are arranged in the same fashion...a straight line between the tires for the tie rod ends and center link. They also could have walked out into any parking lot and looked under a vehicle and noticed the improper installation...or looked in a repair manual or even online. Problem is the shop and the untrained mechanics.
They should have troubleshooted the system instead of jumping to the conclusion the box was "too tight" that steering box is uncommon (by appearance, not design) and they assumed it was the problem. I'm sure the owner explained it was all new, etc. A good mechanic should ask, what was changed, etc to see what could have been done wrong.
These untrained "mechanics" are parts changers and not mechanics.

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by randy500

Its a very common type of steering system that every mechanic should be familiar with and in use on current vehicles or at least into the 2000's. Made in front and rear steer designs that always are arranged in the same fashion...a straight line between the tires for the tie rod ends and center link. They also could have walked out into any parking lot and looked under a vehicle and noticed the improper installation...or looked in a repair manual or even online. Problem is the shop and the untrained mechanics.
They should have troubleshooted the system instead of jumping to the conclusion the box was "too tight" that steering box is uncommon (by appearance, not design) and they assumed it was the problem. I'm sure the owner explained it was all new, etc. A good mechanic should ask, what was changed, etc to see what could have been done wrong.
These untrained "mechanics" are parts changers and not mechanics.

AGREED!! Most of the "alignment techs" just spent a certain amount of hours at school just learning how the machine works. No real practical knowledge of how alignment and suspension works, ask them about ackerman angle and get a blank stare.


In fact that is exactly what a driver is experiencing when the centerlink is installed backwards. Ackerman all fubar'd... among other things

[68is4me]

Not disagreeing with anybody, but calling them idiots?

I don't think our shop would have even caught that one. Our techs basically work on 2008 and newer stuff and being from MN almost everything is 4wd. Our older techs, which I am sure would have caught that, but they get paid way too much to due the alignments. The older techs are doing the involved stuff like motor and tranny rebuilds. The one's doing alignments are in the 20 and 30 thirty's which have probably never done alignment's on an old 2wd system. I just like to stick up for the shop's with not being there personally.

But anyway, sorry to the OP for getting of track. At least it is a cheap easy fix.

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

I'm happy that it can be identified here and I don't blame anyone but me. My experience has been that some of the younger guys either get intimidated by the age of the truck or really interested and inquisitive. I think I had the former, plus they're leery about the work you've done, don't blame them. Had to go get dirt for spousal unit so I'm headed out to garage now. I'll let you know, the "Smooth Sailing" comment has got me motivated.
I'm definitely taking it back to Les Schwab

[dmjlambert]

The threads where this problem is encountered have pictures showing it put together backwards, but then they don't have a follow up picture later showing the same truck put together corrected. That would be nice to see.