Loosing steering!!

[idahovette]

OK 2 more things to look at. Gonna have to get help again, Have someone rock the steering wheel again and watch the input shaft(from the steering wheel side)into the gear. See if it moves in and out with the twist from rocking the wheel. This is the end play, shouldn't be any. 2nd check to see if your springs are loose at the shackles or the axle u-bolts. That's all I got without being there in person to help. Good luck and let us know what you find

 

[bucket]

I've never seen an S-type drag link installed that way before. They only have one purpose, and they suck at that purpose. With yours set up sideways like that, it's probably not hurting anything other than it being harder to center the steering.

My advice is identical to idahovette's.

 

[hirschdalechevy]

Agree with bucket , lose the draglink and go back to stock , s-style not needed with a raised arm.

Your caster might be an issue , I built my girls square with 35's and a 6 inch lift and it drove ok but it felt loose , ( she was 16 at the time) , so I wanted to make it better. What I did was take out the degree shims under the springs to bring the caster back and it was night and day , her truck drove perfect with no drive shaft problems , ( built drive shaft). Not saying that is your problem but you might try that.

 

[damncajun]

Agree with bucket , lose the draglink and go back to stock , s-style not needed with a raised arm.

Your caster might be an issue , I built my girls square with 35's and a 6 inch lift and it drove ok but it felt loose , ( she was 16 at the time) , so I wanted to make it better. What I did was take out the degree shims under the springs to bring the caster back and it was night and day , her truck drove perfect with no drive shaft problems , ( built drive shaft). Not saying that is your problem but you might try that.

I've taken it to two "off road" shops. Both tell me there is only toe adjustment. No caster adjustment. 76 K5 4x4 solid axle

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[hirschdalechevy]

"Wrong" , there are shims under the front spring that adjust camber . Look at the bottom of your springs where they sit on the axle perch. Most if not all after market springs have degree shims hooked to them. Even on a stock , (no shims) , truck you can change the camber with shims under the springs if need be.

Shops are just lazy and don't want to drop the front axle to do **** right.

I mean caster , sorry

 

[hirschdalechevy]

Have a shop check the camber and give you the number and you can bring it within spec yourself with shims , then take it back and see if you are within spec.

With a 4 inch lift you should be able to get to spec. , trucks with big lifts you cant get to spec. but you can get close

sorry again , I mean caster

 

[hirschdalechevy]

Get rid of that drag link and run a stock drag

 

[idahovette]

"Wrong" , there are shims under the front spring that adjust camber . Look at the bottom of your springs where they sit on the axle perch. Most if not all after market springs have degree shims hooked to them. Even on a stock , (no shims) , truck you can change the camber with shims under the springs if need be.

Shops are just lazy and don't want to drop the front axle to do **** right.

These shims adjust CASTER NOT CAMBER. There are shims behind the spindle or bushings at the top of the upper ball joint to adjust camber

 

[bucket]

These shims adjust CASTER NOT CAMBER. There are shims behind the spindle or bushings at the top of the upper ball joint to adjust camber

I'm sure that's what he meant?

 

[hirschdalechevy]

These shims adjust CASTER NOT CAMBER. There are shims behind the spindle or bushings at the top of the upper ball joint to adjust camber

I always miss word the two , caster , camber , even when I am talking about the two I sometimes switch them up , caster is correct !!!!!!

 

[idahovette]

Kinda figured that. Caster is what you started out with, just clarifying.

 

[akraven]

I don't know if this was resolved yet but I had a very similar problem and it was resolved with caster shims.
1990 4WD Suburban with 4" lift and 35's. Had some sloppy tie rods end and a very sloppy steering box. After replacing the tie rod and drag link ends and getting a Redhead steering box it had the floating, follow the bumps feel. Took it to the alignment place and caster was 2 degrees out. Put in some 2 degree shims and it was a world of differience. Hope that helps somebody.

 

[roundhouse]

Also might be the tires
The BFG MTs are very squishy and squirmy

I put them on my K10 and my early bronco at the same time and both now drive terrible
And I’m going to replace the tires and see if that helps

I’ve already replaced the ball joints tie rod ends
Adjusted the toe in to 1/4 inch
Added a steering brace

I have a Cherokee shaft ordered
The only thing left is that and maybe a new box from redhead

I took it to two different shops and neither could check the alignment
Said the 35” tires and 10” wide rims wouldn’t fit their machine


See If you can borrow a set of tires and wheels from someone and take a test drive

 

[idahovette]

That's what we always used for an excuse if we didn't want to work on it. Our machine won't fit your rig!

 

[Goldie Driver]

I don't know if this was resolved yet but I had a very similar problem and it was resolved with caster shims.
1990 4WD Suburban with 4" lift and 35's. Had some sloppy tie rods end and a very sloppy steering box. After replacing the tie rod and drag link ends and getting a Redhead steering box it had the floating, follow the bumps feel. Took it to the alignment place and caster was 2 degrees out. Put in some 2 degree shims and it was a world of differience. Hope that helps somebody.

Old thread I know, but ...


Did your Suburban have a kind of " I don't exactly know where center is" feeling ?

No pulls, no wanders, not really loose, just a fuzzy kind of feel as to where center is. Does better when full of gas, which would bring the caster up some as the rear of the truck is slightly down, and I am thinking this might help me some.

4" lift on 33's - no idea if there are any shims under there now or not.


Thanks !

Britt