1987 Chevy V10 steering wander

[Cdog_96]

1987 Chevy v10 on 2 inch lift rear blocks, all front end components new. Steering box is new with weld on brace and bolt on brace, XJ shaft, new stabilizer, heavy duty tie rod from Off-road design. New ball joints and TREs everywhere. Around 35-50 mph I feel like I may lose end up in the other lane or hitting a curb. I have to nudge the steering wheel left or right to keep it in the lane. Constant correction needed and it's exhausting to drive. I did set the toe by eye, it was way out at first and now the tires seem to be even with the fenders but that didn't change the way it handled. I've had several squares with worn out components that felt safer to drive than this one, any suggestions?

 

[Ricko1966]

1987 Chevy v10 on 2 inch lift rear blocks, all front end components new. Steering box is new with weld on brace and bolt on brace, XJ shaft, new stabilizer, heavy duty tie rod from Off-road design. New ball joints and TREs everywhere. Around 35-50 mph I feel like I may lose end up in the other lane or hitting a curb. I have to nudge the steering wheel left or right to keep it in the lane. Constant correction needed and it's exhausting to drive. I did set the toe by eye, it was way out at first and now the tires seem to be even with the fenders but that didn't change the way it handled. I've had several squares with worn out components that felt safer to drive than this one, any suggestions?

Get it aligned. There's more to alignment then toe,and eye isn't usually an accurate way of setting toe.

 

[Redfish]

Get it aligned. There's more to alignment then toe,and eye isn't usually an accurate way of setting toe.

And if the alignment tech is a good one he may just find some other problem(s).

Mine was pretty bad until I replaced the stabilizer. Yes, I saw you already did that. I had also but using a "stock" replacement stabilizer did nothing. A heavy duty, Skyjacker stabilizer set up for larger tires and more offroad capable made a huge difference.

Of course I had been steadily replacing components and every one was a small improvement.

 

[Cdog_96]

Get it aligned. There's more to alignment then toe,and eye isn't usually an accurate way of setting toe.

What

Get it aligned. There's more to alignment then toe,and eye isn't usually an accurate way of setting toe.

What else can they adjust on a straight axle ?

 

[Cdog_96]

And if the alignment tech is a good one he may just find some other problem(s).

Mine was pretty bad until I replaced the stabilizer. Yes, I saw you already did that. I had also but using a "stock" replacement stabilizer did nothing. A heavy duty, Skyjacker stabilizer set up for larger tires and more offroad capable made a huge difference.

Of course I had been steadily replacing components and every one was a small improvement.

The one I put on there is a skyjacker, can't tell if that's the issue but I doubt it

 

[edgephoto]

Don't forget the leaf springs are what keep the axle in position. If you have a broken center pin, or worn bushings at either end of your front springs the axle can move around.

Also make sure the rear is good. If the rear is moving on you it can cause an issue too.

 

[Ricko1966]

What

What else can they adjust on a straight axle ?

You need to get the toe correct, toe out will make them quick steer no matter which way you twitch the wheel. You need to verify caster to make sure your lift didn't change it, add shim to correct.Caster will make a car twitchy All three angles need to be verified just to make sure nothing is bent or out of spec. I believe there are bushings to correct camber.

 

[idahovette]

The correct shims between the spindle and the knuckle for Camber. Is it loose or is it sticking from side to side and you have to correct constantly........To tight of Ball Joints can cause that.

 

[Keith Seymore]

You need to get the toe correct, toe out will make them quick steer no matter which way you twitch the wheel. You need to verify caster to make sure your lift didn't change it, add shim to correct.Caster will make a car twitchy All three angles need to be verified just to make sure nothing is bent or out of spec. I believe there are bushings to correct camber.

Crank the caster way up.

We used to do 10 degrees in order to fix customer complaint vehicles.

K

 

[Cdog_96]

The correct shims between the spindle and the knuckle for Camber. Is it loose or is it sticking from side to side and you have to correct constantly........To tight of Ball Joints can cause that.

Sticking side to side, how do I set the preload on the knuckle? They seemed tight when I did the ball joints, I torqued the upper ball joint adjustment sleeve to spec

 

[Strick]

What else can they adjust on a straight axle ?

The caster can be adjusted as well but it is an extreme pain in the arse! You have the break the wheel end of the axle all the way down to the knuckle and install shims between the spindle and knuckle. I have replaced ball joints on 10 bolts and Dana 44's and have seen some of these shims in years past. I have not tried to source any of these shims but I believe that I have some stashed away somewhere. Maybe I'll find them in the kitchen junk drawer...

HS

 

[1lejohn]

How are the tires? Worn tires can also cause some issues and or make them worse. My truck has had all the front-end work done and the steering is a little loose. The 32's don't help they tend to grab the seams in the old jacked up roads. Mine is nowhere dangerous, just not rack and pinion, or electric steering tight.

 

[Cdog_96]

Get it aligned. There's more to alignment then toe,and eye isn't usually an accurate way of setting toe.

Going to take it to an alignment shop this evening, seems like the caster is off hopefully they can get it right

 

[idahovette]

The caster can be adjusted as well but it is an extreme pain in the arse! You have the break the wheel end of the axle all the way down to the knuckle and install shims between the spindle and knuckle. I have replaced ball joints on 10 bolts and Dana 44's and have seen some of these shims in years past. I have not tried to source any of these shims but I believe that I have some stashed away somewhere. Maybe I'll find them in the kitchen junk drawer...

HS

You are talking Camber here @Strick

 

[Strick]

You are talking Camber here @Strick

You are so right. I just looked at the message and saw the error of my ways. Good catch and call out. I had 40 hours of work this week thus far and between those and the birthdays it must be messing with me...

Strugglin'