I `ll toke the intiativ and wrote a letter concerning the manuel power steering issue to two serious workshops CPP and Patricks. This is what CPP wrote ; Short note The power steering kit that we sell can result in bump steering. This is what Patricks wrote; Martinius: WE think that most of the power steering units are not really that useful in the trucks. There are a few things you can do to improve the steering. Chief among them is rebuilding your steering box. There is an instruction book that comes with the kit and it works! Next check your king pins and the other movable parts in your front end and renewing those is not a difficult job and your front end will work very well. You will have a very nice steering truck and do not need the power steering. The bump steer is most common with the trucks that install a Mustang II front end. That is a bad thing. In this country, the parts for the front end (except the steering box rebuild) can be obtained at the local NAPA store. Patricks have the kit needed to improve the steering box and the rest of movable parts in the front . They dont say what the steering box kit contains. But i am working on that one and come back to you.
What our host offers Martinus - I couldn't find what Patrick's offered for a rebuild kit but this is what CP has: http://www.classicparts.com/1947-54-Steering-Box-Rebuild-Kit/productinfo/76-911/
Steering The deal is : If you put fatter tires , it will steer heavily . In stock trim , even with radial tires , they steer like power steering ~ I keep telling you alls this but no one listens . " If It Steers Like A Truck , It's not A CHEVROLET ! " .
bumpsteer I have the power steering kit from our host and while they are correct in that there is a noticeable uptick in bumpsteer a very tight steering box, a steering damper, and no rubber in the steering sector has helped. I had no choice though, I put a smallblock in mine.
" Uptick " : It means a minor increase . Of course with a bad & dangerous thing like bumpsteer, there is NO ' minor ' amount ! . Putting lipstick on a pig , means you have a funny looking pig .
Clarification #2 Clarification #2~ This is one of those strange things that we do in America. (Usually there is banjo music going on in the background while they put lipstick on the pig...)
uptick thats what it means , is an increase. Now on good roads there is no bumpsteer because there are no bumps but you won't enjoy those winding two lane patched up potholed country roads much with it.
Correct tire size for a 1954 Chevy Truck Can you tell me what tire size is preferred and whether they are the wide white walls? What website would you recommend?
Bump Steer Bump steer can be a result of improper caster on the front axle. In other words if you were to shim the axle between the mounting surface and the leaf spring so that you are rolling the top of the axle back you will notice a decrease in bump steer and the steering won't feel so heavy.... Also installing a Mustang 2 front end or any other after market cross member or front clip will not cause bump steer, only installing them wrong and improper alignment will ..... Big Tim
I was pleasantly surprised as to how easy mine does steer Nate - i listened and i am glad i did. I put on the LT215/85/r16's and when i first drove it, i thought - wow, this is going to be tough steering. BUT THEN I filled the tires up with proper air PSI and i could not believe how good it steers. I still have not put on my swivel knob on the steering wheel because i just don't need it to steer! BUY the skinny tires and drive it!
Skinny TALL LT Tires ! Be aware that you'll need to buy LT215/85R16 tires , not passenger car tires and as he said , air them up to the proper pressure , usually 60 ~ 80 PSI depends on the Load Rating , D or E . You won't be disappointed , they'll stick like glue and wear like iron .
