Steering Shudder - Low Idle

[NCHitman84]

Howdy folks! Had my '84 for a couple years now and have started to notice some shuddering / jerkiness when turning the wheels at low engine RPM. It's most prevalent at startup (leaving the driveway), but I notice it at the end of a trip on rare occasion. The initial thought was the pump going bad, but with it acting fine thru out a drive, the pump would appear working properly. I've read about adjusting the gearbox, but it looks like that is more for looseness / tightness in the steering itself. Maybe there's something within the box? Or maybe the rack n pinon is the issue? I haven't noticed any hang ups when turning the wheels with them off the ground.

Thoughts and ideas are much appreciated!

 

[fast 99]

Loose or worn belt?

 

[NCHitman84]

Was going to say "I know it's tight"... but looking at the belt more closely, it's clearly aged / cracked. Just because the NAPA labels are still clear as day, doesn't mean they are still good. I'll go ahead and change belts, see if that fixes what's happening. Thanks!

 

[fast 99]

PS belts need to be very tight. Pumps on that model make it difficult to tighten without damaging pump body. There is an inexpensive tool made to do it. If it has AC and that belt goes over the PS pully need to tighten PS then AC.

 

[NCHitman84]

inexpensive tool

Did not know this... Time for some researching, I spose!

 

[fast 99]

Says it's for Cutlass but will work on most GM pumps. It hooks under the bracket on outside of pump. Usually can be done without this tool by catching a bolt head behind the pully with a flat bar.

Power steering adjustment tool

YEARONE Classic Car Parts for American Muscle Cars | Barracuda Cuda Challenger Charger Chevelle Road Runner Camaro Super Bee Dart Duster Valiant Firebird GTO Cutlass 442 Mustang Nova GM Truck Skylark GS Monte Carlo El Camino Mopar Chevy

www.yearone.com

 

[Ricko1966]

Howdy folks! Had my '84 for a couple years now and have started to notice some shuddering / jerkiness when turning the wheels at low engine RPM. It's most prevalent at startup (leaving the driveway), but I notice it at the end of a trip on rare occasion. The initial thought was the pump going bad, but with it acting fine thru out a drive, the pump would appear working properly. I've read about adjusting the gearbox, but it looks like that is more for looseness / tightness in the steering itself. Maybe there's something within the box? Or maybe the rack n pinon is the issue? I haven't noticed any hang ups when turning the wheels with them off the ground.

Thoughts and ideas are much appreciated!

Your truck doesn't have a rack and pinion it has a recirculating ball steering box. Adjustment is more complicated than you maybe aware. I'm putting up a link so you can see how it's done. There is one last kink in this deal the box wears most in the straight ahead position so if you get it to tight it will bind when turned.

Steering Gear Box Adjustments

The steering gear box can be adjusted to remove any looseness or play in the steering. How to adjust a steering gear. The gear box adjustment screw is located on the top of the steering gear looking down from the fender.

www.freeasestudyguides.com

 

[NCHitman84]

Your truck doesn't have a rack and pinion it has a recirculating ball steering box. Adjustment is more complicated than you maybe aware. I'm putting up a link so you can see how it's done. There is one last kink in this deal the box wears most in the straight ahead position so if you get it to tight it will bind when turned.

Steering Gear Box Adjustments

The steering gear box can be adjusted to remove any looseness or play in the steering. How to adjust a steering gear. The gear box adjustment screw is located on the top of the steering gear looking down from the fender.

www.freeasestudyguides.com

Hey Ricko! Thanks, I'll keep that in mind, should the need to adjust arise.

Thankfully, replacing the belts did the trick. Very simple, direct fix.