Very stiff steering...gear box?

[shndags]

I have a 1977 c10 2wd that came stock without power steering. It's always been really stiff to steer wich wasn't a problem in my 20s, but now I'm forty-and a couple sprained wrists and bad back later I'm looking to ease it up a bit. What can I do to make it easier to steer without totally conferring to power steering? My son has the same truck but 72 and his is way easier to steer....installing a different gear box maybe?

 

[firebane]

What exactly is wrong with power steering? Doesn't hurt nothing and in these trucks its a godsend.

 

[87ChevyR10]

What exactly is wrong with power steering? Doesn't hurt nothing and in these trucks its a godsend.

He doesn't have PS. If memory serves, I believe there is a way to tighten/loosen the stiffness, but I am uncertain how.

 

[yevgenievich]

Gearbox or the wrong length idler arm could be an issue. Power steering is easy to convert to and would be even easier to drive. There is an adjuster on top of the gear box that can be usedbto loosen the gearbox a bit. But it will likely introduce slop in the wheel as well.

 

[Georgeb]

I will also vote for a power steering upgrade. It's an easy bolt on affair.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

You cant go wrong with genuine gm power steering lol. Its so nice you barely need a finger to turn the wheel

 

[bucket]

Jack the front of the truck up off the ground, then turn the steering wheel back and forth. If it still tight to turn, something is seizing up.

 

[87silveradok20]

You cant go wrong with genuine gm power steering lol. Its so nice you barely need a finger to turn the wheel

even with 35s

 

[DoubleDingo]

It may also be the type of tire you're running and/or the rim offset. When I bought my '65 c20 in April 2015 the PO's son had passenger tires installed on aftermarket wheels, and it was a bear to steer and drive, even worse in parking lots or manuevering in the driveway. I had a set of tires with E load rating and wheels with better backspacing and after installing them the difference was a whole lot better. It is still firm when turning in parking lots or in the driveway, but not as bad as it was. Power steering is definitely a viable option. When I rearrange the vehicles in my driveway I am always amazed that my '81 c20 is like a cadillac compared the '65 c20. The '81 is power steering and brakes and can be turned with one finger.

 

[crazy4offroad]

I used to have an old '61 Chevy with manual steering and was shocked how hard it could be at times. Sitting still in gravel or dirt it was easy but dry concrete or blacktop the front tires might as well have been glued to the ground. Best way I found to turn was to get the truck rolling even just a very little bit in the direction you want to go and the steering is much easier. This still applies to my big truck sitting on 38s with power steering. If the truck is rolling a minute amount the strain on the steering system and frame is greatly reduced. If you do decide to switch to power steering DONT junk your manual box. People who race like them, one less pulley sucking horsepower off their rig. Well, unless it is found that your box is just completely worn out and seizing up. But even then it is still good for a core charge.

 

[donmateo]

When was PS standard on these?

 

[joecal]

I had a 60 C10 and it was a bear to steer I thought when I got it. I installed power steering and it was a big improvement and more enjoyable to drive.

 

[bucket]

When was PS standard on these?

I think all 4x4's might have been power. 2wd I think got it standard sometime around '80.