73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: Chevygold on December 14, 2020, 01:36:19 PM
-
Hi all, I know it's a truck and won't handle like a sports car but it seems to roll a lot round the bends, 76 C10 Cheyenne long bed, is there anything that can be done to improve things a bit?
Shocks look quite new so guess they're OK, ride is really nice in a straight line but roundabouts are the worst possibly feels worse sitting on the wrong side for our roads (UK)!
Any suggestions?
Graham
-
Stabilizer bars do wonders if your truck doesn't have them
-
They made front sway bars for that truck. You'll see the mounting holes on the lower control arms.
Just had my K10 bushings replaced, what a HUGE difference, super flat around corners>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
-
Begin by checking the front end steering and suspension components for wear and inspect the frame for cracks around the steering gear and upper shock absorber mounts. Make sure the tires are properly inflated and have the alignment checked. Once the front end passes inspections, good quality shocks make a difference, too. Try some KYB Gas-Adjust KG5409 front and KG5415 rear for a sporty ride, or Bilstein 24192941 front and 24009331 rear for a more forgiving ride.
-
Thanks all I'll need to look into these points, I haven't seen any anti roll bars when I've been crawling around under there I'll have a look at the bushes while I'm there as well, if I need anti roll bars any recommendations re size etc?
Thanks again
Graham
-
I think they change with the weight rating.
The '80 C10 I'm working on did not have one. I think 1/2 ton used a 1" diameter bar.
I saw a C20 at the truck recycle place I get parts from that had one. I bought it, and it is 1.25", heavy bar.
They had to cut the brackets off the frame, I bought Energy Bushings.
Maybe someone here know if the factory welded the frame brackets or were they just bolted on. ??
-
Maybe someone here know if the factory welded the frame brackets or were they just bolted on. ??
Riveted but grade 3/8" bolts work great
-
Thanks man!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Definitely do the dry park check and then check with the front end jacked up. X2 on the Bilsteins and Sway bar
-
OK Guys, thanks for the pointers, had a good check around and no sway bar fitted, bushes aren't too bad but might change them anyway as they're not bad for price. Had a good check all round the frame for cracks round the steering box but all good there.
Looks like new bushes and a sway bar first and see how things are after that, control arms are drilled for the mounts not sure about the frame will have to take another look.
Thanks Graham
-
OK been a while but here's the update, my brake fluid change ended up a suspension rebuild with all new brake flexible hoses!
Only done the drivers side suspension so far but quite a transformation, the bushes didn't look too bad but the difference is like night and day, will attack the other side next and see where I am after that.
Another job done, both axle seals were leaking so changed them as well as found oil when flushing out the rear brakes, yes I did check the vent from the diff and it was clear.
Thanks
Graham
-
+1 on Bilsteins, definitely helped on my 3/4 4x4 which is pre-ordained to ride like a M1 Abrams. ???
-
Good to hear you're making progress.
A sway bar makes night and day difference.
-
I'd love a sway bar but the shipping to the UK means it will have to stay on the wishlist :-(
I'll see if a further improvement occurs after I've done the other side, lets hope so!
Graham
-
UK, that explains it. We don't have a 2CV reference over here and when we talk about the bushes, that's usually where we pee out our beer.
-
Know what you mean, btw a sway bar is an anti roll bar over here! Don't suppose you get many Citroen 2CVs over there nickname the snail!
Graham
-
Don't suppose you get many Citroen 2CVs over there nickname the snail!
Thankfully, no. ;D
-
So, by extension, having a truck with two sway bars would be doubly delightful, right? ;D
One of the things that sold me on rescuing Pearl was the anti sway bar on the rear axle as well. In my mind at the time, being a camper special might mean at some point it can do double duty in the zoom zoom department. Does it seem kooky to make a work rated rig into a handling demon? Not sure how heavy springs will like cornering without much weight over them. Might have to bag it.
The other thing that sold me on Pearl... the big block. It will be fun after an appropriate freshening for compression and longevity.
Slowly but surely I'm undoing all the damage the tweaker "mechanic" did to "fix" it in the first place. I almost wish they would've sold it to me before they tried to resurrect it. It wouldn't go as it was anyway. She has to earn her keep as a working girl for a while because there is a need in that department. But I am looking forward to major resto down the line. Spouse would like to go from the factory white to pearl and I would like to give her that someday. But it has to run first.
Anyone have an idea where to get pre formed steel line for c20's? I could do it myself but I want it to fit right and look nice before 2030. Fuel system and maybe brakes too.
Enough thread drift. I hope the OP can get a sway bar at reasonable cost. I can't imagine one leaving the factory without one regardless of trim level.
-
As a Cheyenne which I believe at the time was one below top spec I would have thought a bar would have been fitted to the front at least but other than the mounting holes being present there's no sign of it ever having one and the build sheet is absent from the glove box so no way of knowing the original options it came with :(
There are a few specialists over this side of the pond so maybe I might be able to source one but other jobs are higher in the pecking order like fixing the rust and getting it painted, I'm keeping it 2 tone as original in gold and white but using a Peugot colour Jaune Persopolis which is brighter than the mud colour original and Arum White but with pearl to make it a bit special! Just waiting for the weather to get a bit brighter before I start pulling it apart!
Graham
-
Just had a look on Summit site and a 199.00 sway bar would be best part of 600.00 by the time I receive it with shipping, taxes and duty so that comes under the dream on heading!
Graham
-
Savage! >:(
-
Almost worth getting a cheap flight over and stuffing them under my arm!
Graham
-
Right? ;D