73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: mpeche923 on November 17, 2008, 12:47:38 pm
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Just some details before i begin 87 SWB 4WD 2" lift 33" tires truck is babied not really a DD but I have been driving it more lately....
OK... bear with me while I try to explain this one...... It seems I am having an issue "once in a blue moon" while I am turning to the left. It happened to me about 2 weeks ago and now it just happend today on my way home for lunch.
When I make a left turn say at an intersection, I say that because it does not happen if I make just a slight left..... ok make a left at an intersection and then as I begin to turn out of it.... to begin going straight the truck still keeps going left and then all of a sudden it comes back right so I can go on straight down the road..... Man I hate when I really can't describe things correctly but this is as good as I can right now... When i got home i gave the truck a look see underneath and i can't see that anything looks out of the norm.... i pay attention to details and i would definately notice if i saw a ball joint or tie rod looking different... like it had been bent or something....
It almost feels like it's on an elastic band and then when it breaks the truck comes back to center... and like I said this has only happened 2 times in probably the last two weeks and lately I have been driving the truck 3 days a week to work taking the same local route no highways I work in the town I live in.... local streets it's freaky... Oh and there is no more or less tension in the steering whatsoever beforehand or while I am turning back right with the truck...
Weird I know but I am sure some of you guru's here have some suggestions :(
Thanks
Mike
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Is you frame broken at the steering box?
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How about the axle joints, are they dry, sounds like one might be binding up.
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Check the rag-joint, too.
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Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies. I have checked the steering box frame area and it's crack free.... Actually that was the first thing I looked at (forgot to put that in the post) I know these trucks are prone to crack there.....
OK now I have to go check the axle joints..... I guess I can grease them if they are dry?? I will have to look into that if you guys can help I would appreciate it on how to grease them...
OK.... thanks czz145a..... but that is the rag joint???
I appreciate all the help...
Thanks
Mike
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The rag joint is the flexible joint where the steering column linkage connects to the end of the steering box.
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o317/jjsabol/IM001085-1.jpg)
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I had a 78 Monza do that to it was the steering box , I could unjam it by reving the engine till about 3k than dumping the clutch :) ahh the memories of the teen years
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thanks guys for all the input.... OK at lunch I had a co-worker of mine turn the wheel back and forth so I could look and maybe see what's wrong.... Everything looks good no binding funny noises etc... EXCEPT I noticed that the upper ball joint has play in it.... there is also no cotter pin.... SO... two things... do you think it just loosened up a bit over time... can I tighten it.... or do I need to just bite the bullet and replace it :(
Thanks in advance
Mike
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Is your steering stabilizer twisting on the tie rod? Is the drag link binding or at too great of an angle?
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thanks guys for all the input.... OK at lunch I had a co-worker of mine turn the wheel back and forth so I could look and maybe see what's wrong.... Everything looks good no binding funny noises etc... EXCEPT I noticed that the upper ball joint has play in it.... there is also no cotter pin.... SO... two things... do you think it just loosened up a bit over time... can I tighten it.... or do I need to just bite the bullet and replace it :(
Thanks in advance
Mike
I've only been successful tightening them up once, and that was on an 87 Camaro. You can try it, but I wouldn't bank on it working.
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How about the axle joints, are they dry, sounds like one might be binding up.
This has happened to me a couple times. It is hard to tell if they are bad without pulling the axles. And at that point you may as well just put new ones in. Get greasable ones and then don't forget to grease them.
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Thanks guys for all the suggestions....... I am going to grease everything first and start from there....... I have to put new springs in it also so I am going to do everything at once......
I drove the truck around town for over an hour last night doing a bunch of errands etc... turning right and left with no issues... strange sometimes....
Thanks
Mike
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Is your power steering belt just loose?
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Hmmm I never even though of that Vile.... how much "play" should I have in it??? I even checked the fluid on the PS Pump reservoir and it looked good....... it does not make any noise.... i know that's a sign it has no fluid right??
Thanks
Mike
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How about the axle joints, are they dry, sounds like one might be binding up.
I've seen quite a few axle U-joints affect the steering in the same manner that you are describing (even with the hubs locked out, the front driveshaft slowly turns and can spin the front end). One side of the T is seized causing the steering to bind on a turn (forcing it straight). Easy enough to check.
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Hey guys:
I know this post is super old, but after over 2 Years.... which really equates to about 1,000 miles I have finally found the culprit. I don't drive my truck that much but it took that long to figure this one out..... when you hear it... you will probably wonder why i did not figure it out sooner.
I have had a sporatic issue with turning left with my truck and when i begin to turn back right it won't come straight.... thank God it's never happened on the highway or for that matter over 25 miles and hour.. it only happened around side streets....
Well last week on my way home from work i made a left into my street and it would NOT come back to the right.... as I was getting the truck stopped i yanked the steering wheel to the right and I heard a "pop" and it came back.... i limped the truck into my driveway and i knew something had gone in the steering... Again visually i could not see much different... but i got the truck in the air and I had my wife steer it for me so I could analyze everything... as she was turning the wheel i could easily see the drag link tie rod end that connects to the pitman arm come almost completely seperated as the wheel turned more.. AWESOME...
So I ran down to the parts store on the corner.... picked up a new tie rod end.... replaced it and finally also aligned my steering wheel and it's all good.....
the steering is so might tighter also... that was the last tie rod end that needed to be replaced.. so I am all good now... funny thing was my "mechanic" kept telling me it was the steering box and i needed to get a new one.... hmmmmm whatever...
Im just that glad that it did not completely sheer off while I was driving...
another reason why i won't get rid of this truck 25 bucks and im back on the road :)
Mike
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Could the left hub be locked or failing? Maybe grabbing when the wheel is turned?
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it's fixed now beleive me.... i know how it used to feel and that "feeling" is gone...
I am happy definately... i have been driving the truck around for 3 days now and nothing.... i could barely get it into the garage last week.... it definately was the tie rod at the pitman arm.
Thanks
Mike
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You should have replaced the sleeve as well.
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A good way to check the axle joint is to jack up both sides of the front. Turn the wheel all the way in one or the other direction. Spin the tire around slowly. As it rotates if it tries to turn the steering wheel is a good indication thats you have a frozen joint.
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Vile,
Yeah your right I guess I should have for what another 6 bucks :) OOPS.
Blazin,
Yeah I know what your saying.. I actually did that a while back and the tire spins freely without it affecting the steering. Again last week I spun the wheels and I was go to go with the axle joints :)
Thanks
Mike
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I was kinda posting it because I left that part out when I posted to it the first time!! ;D
For any other readers type deal.