Boost-n-Juice Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 '76 Chevy Pickup, 4x4...the steering wheel turns with no effort what so ever and doesn't tighten up at higher speeds, no road feel what so ever. If you turn the wheel to make a turn, it doesn't attempt to go back to center. Any ideas? Thanks! BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHIEF Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 I'm gonna guess the steering box, based on that description. Check the pitman arm while your there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boost-n-Juice Posted November 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 The truck is lifted 8" and has new dropped pitman arm. Could the Radius arm cause this? It's stock still. The stabilizer looks new, I just ordered a dual system. So if the gear box goes bad it will cause this? Hmmm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHIEF Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 Check everything in the front. Just make sure that all the arms aren't moving. Check your PS fluid even. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest powers Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 that old of a truck should have a wear adjustment in the stearing box. There should be a screw or bolt on the side that you will remove so you can get your screwdriver in the box to turn an adjuster. Trial and error it and your done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boost-n-Juice Posted November 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 Adjuster huh? I'll have to go check it out! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Don't adjust it if you have never done it before, you can easily wipe out the gears inside, take it to somebody that way you dont fug it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desperado Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 You stated it's loose, are you meaning that there is play in the steering, turn the wheel and the truck don't turn. Or is it just VERY easy to steer. Also, does that truck have the hydraboost brakes (boost run off the power steering and not vaccum assist). One thing that can cause what you are talking about, is having the alignment set wrong, specifically 0 degrees toe in and no camber (tilt). Does the truck tend to wander from side to side as its' going down the road? Does it seem to dart to one side or the other when you hit a bump? Is this truck new to you or have you had is a while and this problem just started? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boost-n-Juice Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 I tried adjusting the 5/8" nut and allen screw, took it all the way in and all the way out and no difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boost-n-Juice Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Originally posted by desperado: You stated it's loose, are you meaning that there is play in the steering, turn the wheel and the truck don't turn. Or is it just VERY easy to steer. Very Easy, there isn't any play. At idle I can the turn the wheel very quickly with my pinky finger. Also, does that truck have the hydraboost brakes (boost run off the power steering and not vaccum assist). No, it's Vacuum boost One thing that can cause what you are talking about, is having the alignment set wrong, specifically 0 degrees toe in and no camber (tilt). I'm sure it probably needs an alignment. Does the truck tend to wander from side to side as its' going down the road? Not too much, I've only driven it a few miles because it freaked me out so bad. Does it seem to dart to one side or the other when you hit a bump? Not that I've noticed Is this truck new to you or have you had is a while and this problem just started? It's new to me, driven it maybe 5 miles. Would the alignment make it not want to go back to center after making a turn, or does the steering stabilizer do that? I've had a few Old school Chevy's back in the day and I remember the steering was VERY stiff and you couldn't turn the wheel that easily @ idle, especially with 40" tires! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desperado Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 OK, that tells me tons. I would say that it's alignment is a BIG factor. Also, the pressures with a hydraboost setup are different (higher) than a standard power steering setup, that will have a good bit to do with it as well. I noticed that you adjusted the loading on the gearbox. That HAS TO be set properly or it WILL eat up the worm gear in short order. I don't remember the specific way to do it, but a small torque wrench is needed if memory serves me. Best to get a book on it and go from there. I figure that between the hydraboost power steering pump pressure being higher and the fact that there is an 8 inch lift kit, that probably was never aligned after it was installed, is what is causing what you are feeling. The camber, or the angle of the spindle from the upper ball joint to the lower ball joint is what gives toy road feedback, and causes the steering to have drag. What you are feeling with the drag is the tires not only twisting but the nose of the truck going up and down ever so slightly. You may have noticed that in other vehicles that when sitting still turning the wheel fro lock to lock the nose of the vehicle moves left to right and up and down. If you do the same with your truck, you will notice that ain't happening. Now with all that said, driving the truck in it's current state, if what I am thinking is truely the case, can be a bit unnerving, and the truck will com out from under you (loose traction in the front) without ANY warning. Getting it to an alignment shop will be safe if you take it easy, and not try to corner the thing like a sports car. I don't figure that you would anyway but I figure that I would mention it all the same. Other than that, it sounds like you have a seriously badass truck, at least after you get these few bugs worked out of it. If you know the guy that you bought it from, get with him and see if he had it aligned to spec on a machine, or if he did it himself. My guess is that he did it himself and put it all to zero. Which isn't bad to start with but things can get a bit trickly while driving if that is the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boost-n-Juice Posted November 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 You are correct, now that you mention it the truck doesn't go up and down at each corner when I turn the wheel either way. The prior owner of this truck did everything VERY half assed. Can an average tire shop do the alignment or should I take it to Trails West? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desperado Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 I would call a shop before I took it there and alot of places will not touch it because it's a modified suspension. Same deal with Trails West, I am not sure that they have a rack to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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