Weird Steering Issue

[mpeche923]

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

[Captkaos]

Is you frame broken at the steering box?

[Blazin]

How about the axle joints, are they dry, sounds like one might be binding up.

[ccz145a]

Check the rag-joint, too.

[mpeche923]

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

[JJSZABO]

The rag joint is the flexible joint where the steering column linkage connects to the end of the steering box. 

[frogman68]

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

[mpeche923]

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

[VileZambonie]

Is your steering stabilizer twisting on the tie rod? Is the drag link binding or at too great of an angle?

[Donut]

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.

[farmallgray]

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.

[mpeche923]

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

[VileZambonie]

Is your power steering belt just loose?

[mpeche923]

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

[Igosplut]

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.