73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: roadrunnerkitten on June 14, 2018, 01:04:39 PM

Title: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 14, 2018, 01:04:39 PM
I need a lil help. 83 k10 daily driver after I make turns steering wheel never returns to same location. Previously replaced power steering pump drag link ball joints ect.  just a steering wheel issue doesn’t return to location after turns. What is causing this? Thanks for any advice...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Irish_Alley on June 14, 2018, 01:14:55 PM
is there any play in the wheel? im thinking maybe the worm gear in the steering box is worn and causing that issue but idk. i would try and do a dry check to see if other parts like the intermediate shaft does it then check with the pitman arm also does it
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 14, 2018, 01:22:55 PM
is there any play in the wheel? im thinking maybe the worm gear in the steering box is worn and causing that issue but idk. i would try and do a dry check to see if other parts like the intermediate shaft does it then check with the pitman arm also does it
Thanks irish.  No play n pitman arm to column to steering wheel. Odd huh. Seems tight . Is there something to tighten n column?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Irish_Alley on June 14, 2018, 01:25:45 PM
there is spins on the intermediate shaft and a "C" clamp but if thats messed up i doubt you would be able to turn at all
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: zieg85 on June 14, 2018, 03:40:02 PM
Frame cracked?
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 14, 2018, 06:33:49 PM
Frame cracked?
Ty zeig. I checked for cracks. None . What about bad rag joint? Would it cause this?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Rattler12 on June 15, 2018, 07:44:17 AM
caster is wonky
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 15, 2018, 09:40:25 AM
caster is wonky
Thanks rattler. Im gonna check out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: zieg85 on June 15, 2018, 10:14:28 AM
How are your front axle u-joints? 
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 15, 2018, 11:06:40 AM
How are your front axle u-joints?
I appreciate ur help zieg.  I have looked all over. Nothin dry or too worn. Replaced drag link recently but steering issue was prior also. It’s like after a turn steering wheel ends up n different spot. Pretty far off from b4 turning. Also hit bump on curve, truck stays straight. Then catches . Wish i could figure it out...
Thanks alot for everyone’s help!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Irish_Alley on June 15, 2018, 11:24:55 AM
my thinking is since the steering is pretty much solid from one point to the other you have maybe one option and thats inside if the steering box itself. try jacking the front end up and with the steering wheel lock active (key in off position) try turning the left front tire left and right and see if it moves. if it moves then watch the pitman arm and see if it moves then see if the steering intermediate shaft moves (remember they work on different ratios so they wont move at the same pace) try and find where the movement stops at.
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 15, 2018, 11:31:30 AM
my thinking is since the steering is pretty much solid from one point to the other you have maybe one option and thats inside if the steering box itself. try jacking the front end up and with the steering wheel lock active (key in off position) try turning the left front tire left and right and see if it moves. if it moves then watch the pitman arm and see if it moves then see if the steering intermediate shaft moves (remember they work on different ratios so they wont move at the same pace) try and find where the movement stops at.
Time to jack it up.. thanks again irish. I gotta figure this one out. Its like a challenge problem  solving and all input is helpful. I’m really just gettin started with my rebuild after saving ol girl from a shade tree months ago. When i got her, she wouldn’t run at all. Now i can drive her anytime lol, if steering permits lol. Pics otw. Hoping for any advice....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 15, 2018, 11:36:58 AM
my thinking is since the steering is pretty much solid from one point to the other you have maybe one option and thats inside if the steering box itself. try jacking the front end up and with the steering wheel lock active (key in off position) try turning the left front tire left and right and see if it moves. if it moves then watch the pitman arm and see if it moves then see if the steering intermediate shaft moves (remember they work on different ratios so they wont move at the same pace) try and find where the movement stops at.
Time to jack it up.. thanks again irish. I gotta figure this one out. Its like a challenge problem  solving and all input is helpful. I’m really just gettin started with my rebuild after saving ol girl from a shade tree months ago. When i got her, she wouldn’t run at all. Now i can drive her anytime lol, if steering permits lol. Pics otw. Hoping for any advice....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180615/036dea7fff1c79337b340ca449bf245d.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180615/68291fd3e5cb5976db2638bda64c5343.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180615/e1ed5e93fdd136f83a0111555be1f427.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180615/03b1402485b350d1b6fdc02b73035c2c.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180615/e5e27db8f3e7ab39e3915c861eca1a0e.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180615/460fb7db6b1e192295fd7ac8f05ad39e.jpg)



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Irish_Alley on June 15, 2018, 11:37:20 AM
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 15, 2018, 12:04:38 PM
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes
Great quote Sherlock H.  I have to bring this ol girl down n size to bring her back to lyfe!! Mission improbable lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Rattler12 on June 15, 2018, 12:37:34 PM
The lift blocks in the front could be your problem. First of all lift blocks should not be used in the front. Second they have an angle built in and if they are put in wrong you can wind up with too much positive caster or even negative caster. If one is one way and the other the opposite whose knows what it could cause. I'd get rid of the blocks mainly because of the danger involved. Get you a pair of  proper lift springs and replace the old ones with those. May solve your problem
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Rattler12 on June 15, 2018, 12:41:35 PM
Also the your pitman arm appears to be the stock pitman and would cause problems in a lifted truck.
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 15, 2018, 01:06:46 PM
The lift blocks in the front could be your problem. First of all lift blocks should not be used in the front. Second they have an angle built in and if they are put in wrong you can wind up with too much positive caster or even negative caster. If one is one way and the other the opposite whose knows what it could cause. I'd get rid of the blocks mainly because of the danger involved. Get you a pair of  proper lift springs and replace the old ones with those. May solve your problem
Thanks rattler. It was like this when i pulled it from under a tree. Somebody’s ol mud truck. Now i got work to do....thank you everyone. All input is great!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 15, 2018, 01:07:58 PM
Also the your pitman arm appears to be the stock pitman and would cause problems in a lifted truck.
Did not know that . Now i gotta order pitman arm. This is great info fellow truckers!! Thanks rattler


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 15, 2018, 01:09:28 PM
Also the your pitman arm appears to be the stock pitman and would cause problems in a lifted truck.
Did not know that . Now i gotta order pitman arm. This is great info fellow truckers!! Thanks rattler


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Would luv to c some pics...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Irish_Alley on June 15, 2018, 01:27:25 PM
rattler hit it right on the head. i didnt see the pics as i was responding when you posted it. but yes those block are a no go. most states if not all have outlawed them on the road because they can pop out and when they do you lose steering.

the pitman arm also must go or something has to be done to correct the issue, either a raised steering arm/steering arm spacer, dropped pitman arm (think only good for 4") or a drag link made for lift  but the raised steering arm is a better solution.
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 15, 2018, 02:34:47 PM
rattler hit it right on the head. i didnt see the pics as i was responding when you posted it. but yes those block are a no go. most states if not all have outlawed them on the road because they can pop out and when they do you lose steering.

the pitman arm also must go or something has to be done to correct the issue, either a raised steering arm/steering arm spacer, dropped pitman arm (think only good for 4") or a drag link made for lift  but the raised steering arm is a better solution.
Thank you irish!! So many issues but willing to battle.. i love ol girl already lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Rattler12 on June 16, 2018, 08:35:46 AM
Pictures can really be deceiving to the eye but it also "looks" like you've got about 5 inches of tow out. You mention this was a mud truck and all that I've mentioned may not make a tinkers ****  in a short burst through a mud hole pero  es no bueno for the street. Good luck and you'll enjoy that truck much more when it's put back in a "streetable" condition...…….. if you can stand the noise those mud tires are gonna make at 70 mph   :)
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: Irish_Alley on June 16, 2018, 11:14:18 AM
not sure if you understood it but it is highly recommended that you dont drive till you take those blocks out. it looks like the one is sliding out already
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 16, 2018, 02:20:10 PM
not sure if you understood it but it is highly recommended that you dont drive till you take those blocks out. it looks like the one is sliding out already
Oh definitely irish!! I am workin on ordering springs n gettin rid of those tires. Thanks man


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Steering
Post by: roadrunnerkitten on June 16, 2018, 02:21:30 PM
Pictures can really be deceiving to the eye but it also "looks" like you've got about 5 inches of tow out. You mention this was a mud truck and all that I've mentioned may not make a tinkers ****  in a short burst through a mud hole pero  es no bueno for the street. Good luck and you'll enjoy that truck much more when it's put back in a "streetable" condition...…….. if you can stand the noise those mud tires are gonna make at 70 mph   :)
And u r so right. I gotta bring it back from where they had it!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk