Author Topic: Bad steering  (Read 4454 times)

Offline kmbranyon

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Bad steering
« on: February 28, 2010, 12:09:12 pm »
So I know everyone is probably tired of the sloppy steering threads, I read through a bunch of them and got an idea about how to fix it all and where to start. I am having a sloppy steering problem but on top of that my steering wheel never ends up in the same place. If i make a normal 90 degree turn the steering wheel will start out straight, then i turn and afterwards the steering wheel wont end up in the same place. It will either end up 90 degrees off or 180 degrees off ( facing up side down). So before I start going crazy trying to fix my sloppy steering, I want to know what I need to do to make the steering wheel end up at the same place everytime.

I just got the truck about 2 days ago, its a 1984 k10 that has a 6 inch lift in case that helps any with the problem.

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Bad steering
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2010, 03:38:58 pm »
Sounds DANGEROUS! Your steering coupler is probably stripped out. Do a dry park check. Have an assistant turn the steering back and fourth about 30° from center and observe the steering linkage. Check the frame, the steering shaft, the steering box, ball joints everything!
,                           ___ 
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline kmbranyon

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Re: Bad steering
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2010, 06:27:32 pm »
Okay so my update on this... I havent had anyone around the house yet where I can get them to turn the steering wheel for me, but I started checking everything to make sure its tight. 3 of the 4 front leaf spring U bolts were relatively loose. I drove it a little bit and the truck steered better and the steering wheel seems to end up in the same spot everytime now. I just dont know if thats coincidence or not.

Offline ajb31666

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  • 1973 3/4 ton 4x4 350
Re: Bad steering
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2010, 01:00:45 am »
Finally! I have been looking for someone else with this issue. Been driving me crazy and when I explain it to people they never know what I am talking about till they see my wheel cocked vertical and can not see the speedometer.
 What did you do to fix this problem? I have looked many times and am just not seeing where the problem is. My gear box is only a few years old also.

Offline jaredts

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Re: Bad steering
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2010, 05:39:03 am »
If you turn the wheels all the way locked to one side can you get the steering wheel to continue turning some with a little force?

Offline kmbranyon

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Re: Bad steering
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2010, 10:23:07 am »
My problem was all solved by tightening up the U bolts, it has been 100 percent perfect since then.

Offline bgctrading

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Re: Bad steering
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2010, 08:32:23 pm »
Make sure the frame is not cracked where the gear box bolts on.