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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: Catrik on April 13, 2016, 10:20:20 am

Title: Steering pulls slightly
Post by: Catrik on April 13, 2016, 10:20:20 am
86 K10, 6.2D. 235/85-16 tires

When I let go off the steering wheel, it pulls slightly to the right. I have tried adjusting the steeling link (between steering box and knuckle) but it doesnt seem to help the issue.
I have had my angles checked few years ago but it didnt have any effect. In the picture, bottom is after adjustments.

Front has new Rough country 4" springs, rear has shackle flip, old springs with new bushings. Left spring is about 0.7" lower than the right one but I dont think it makes a difference?

Is it possible that someone installed the steering wheel in wrong position and just corrected by adjusting the steering link? Can that cause pulling, I dont think so but I could be wrong.

Edit: manual says caster should be 8 degrees so that seems a bit off and it does have some difference left to right, maybe it's that?
Title: Re: Steering pulls slightly
Post by: K20Detroit on April 13, 2016, 10:39:22 am
Was the alignment before or after the lift?
Has it only happened with the lift?

If it has only happened with the lift;
4" lifts should have a drop pitman arm or raised steering arm to correct the steering geometry and prevent wander. That could be the issue here, if you don't have it already.
Title: Re: Steering pulls slightly
Post by: Catrik on April 13, 2016, 10:43:27 am
Alignment was before lift but the lift didnt affect the pulling. I do have a raised steering arm. I tried to get the alignemts checked again today but the truck didnt fit in the local shops alignment lift lol.
Title: Re: Steering pulls slightly
Post by: Catrik on April 17, 2016, 01:51:50 pm
Went to an alignment shop again, everything was in spec, however there is 8mm difference in distance between left and right side of axles which might explain the pulling.
When I have the time I'm gonna loosen front and/or rear U-bolts and try to make the axles as parallel as possible and see if it helps.
Title: Re: Steering pulls slightly
Post by: Flyinhillbilly on April 23, 2016, 11:18:02 pm
Your caster is higher on the left than the right, that's probably why it's pulling. I like to have about 1/2-3/4 more caster on the right to compensate for the crown in the road. You could try a wedge shim between the spring and front end to try and even it up, if that don't work you can put an offset upper ball joint seat in it if you can find one. Honestly though, the first thing I would try would be switching the front tires from side to side to make sure it's not tire conicity or a radial pull.
Title: Re: Steering pulls slightly
Post by: philo_beddoe on May 05, 2016, 11:11:05 am
Your caster is higher on the left than the right, that's probably why it's pulling. I like to have about 1/2-3/4 more caster on the right to compensate for the crown in the road. You could try a wedge shim between the spring and front end to try and even it up, if that don't work you can put an offset upper ball joint seat in it if you can find one. Honestly though, the first thing I would try would be switching the front tires from side to side to make sure it's not tire conicity or a radial pull.

As the hillbilly mentioned, test on a real flat road, that crown in the road, has a natural tendency to pull slightly right.