Intermittent steering wander?

[Robert Bare]

I had the same/similar issue. Blazer with a 6” lift. Guy before didn’t have it set up, and a 6” lift is way too high for such a short truck (my opinion). It kept loosening bolts on the steering box, and I expected eventually it was just going to crack the frame. I eventually figured out the steering box was flexing the frame as it drove. Solid axle, short wheel base, leaf springs…..all not conducive to stability with a High lift. I got it set up right eventually and boxed the frame around the steering box. Straight as an arrow ever since.

Yep, lifted ramchargers had the same issues, with the steering box mount.

 

[Red3833]

You need a drop pitman arm for 6” lift….I’m no expert…but I had the same issue. Your drag link needs to be level, it makes a big difference.

I Replaced ball joints,
Jeep steering shaft,
Red head steering box,
Dual steering stabilizer's,
Still wandered,
It looks like I had the same pitman arm as you only difference is I have 4” lift, swapped it for a 4” lift drop pitman arm. I wish I got that first it made a huge difference.
Someone tried to fix the problem by tightening the steering box that’s why it doesn’t return to center.
(I also did that) I don’t think these trucks lifted steering will ever be perfect, heard crossover steering works pretty good haven’t tried it yet
Hope this helps…

 

[iamtherealJayy]

Long time break from the blazer since weather got cold, I went and messed with it today and the only movement I can find is the front spring between the axle and the hanger rotates up when steering and the axle is “wrapping”? Similar to the rearend with excessive torque? Could a lack of sway bar be a cause for this? I agree 6” is way bigger than I ever would’ve went but it was lifted when I got it and I’m going to try and make it work before going smaller. It’s not an offroad toy or anything it’s going to be on pavement 98% of my ownership with it.

 

[Grit dog]

^Nice lookin Blazer! Haven’t seen you on here in a while, trucks must be run in good lol!
Hard to discern your last description but what you’re seeing may be normal. The angle of the ball joints top to bottom (caster if you will) is kinda steep and when turning the wheels sharply youll see the wheels look out of alignment. Hard to describe but the angle top to bottom on the ball joints means the tires don’t turn “flat” on the pavement

 

[iamtherealJayy]

@Grit dog the actual axle rotates clockwise looking at the driver side, I sat there and looked at everything while having a buddy turn the wheel lock to lock and back and forth and this and that lol. The only movement k find anywhere is the axle twisting the leaf spring upwards. Rechecked torque of the ubolts and they’re over 100ftlb. But what I’m assuming is caster changes with steering for some reason? I don’t have a sway bar but I suppose I could come up with one

 

[Grit dog]

Sway bar will just make it corner better. Those springs look stiff as **** and quad shocks and a feather weight engine, I’m surprised you can even feel the springs flex lol.
Idk why the axle would visibly rotate, not sure I’ve seen that. Not sure I’ve ever looked though either.
I’m out of idears.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

I’ll try and get a video this evening see if someone else can see something I can’t. Blazer rides what I’d call average. It’s not terrible but a little bouncy. I just can’t tolerate the steering problem. It’s a chore and a half to keep it in one lane. It corners fine but just going down the highway it’s a constant back and forth battle to keep it straight. I’ve put over 500 miles on it with no noticeable wear to any tires. Without having a local alignment place worth a dang I can’t get any numbers for where it’s at without getting the steering atleast a little better.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

I haven’t had a chance to get a video, I did order a sway bar drop bracket and new bushing, along with a dual stabilizer setup. I keep telling myself the sway bar should hold the axle better in place and prevent it from rotating