wandering front end

[pcso 146]

I'm looking at 76 4x4 with a mild lift. The lift looks like rearched springs and bigger shocks. During the test drive it was very difficult to keep the truck in a straight line. Every pavement imperfection would unsettle the steering and make the truck wander all over the road. 33x12.50x15 tires in poor shape with driver side front tire severely rounded off on the outside shoulder. Any thoughts or suggestions as to cause and fix appreciated. Steering also has steering damper in use

 

[cowboy]

well it might need tohave the front end lined but probably rebuild the front end such as new bearings and new bushings and grease it all up good and check the steering box.
cowboy

 

[87_Chevy_4x4]

The tie-rod ends and your steering arm ends probably need replacing, and a front-end alignment would help too. Larger tires also exaggerate the effect that potholes and bumps in the road have on the steering. If you replace the tie-rod and steering arm ends though, it should help it greatly.

 

[tx75gmc]

-I replaced the drag link (parts stores call it the inner tie rod) on my 75 GMC K25 4x4 and it helped a lot to tighten up the steering. Total cost was about $50 for parts.
- You can also replace the outer tie rods, but one side is expensive (about $80-100) and the other side is about $35-40.
- The other possibility is ball joints, but I've never been quite sure how to check them correctly.
- The other fix is to adjust the steering gear box. The adjustment is simple (allen wrench and lock nut), but I haven't tried it yet.
- With tires this size, the steering gear box mounting should also be reinforced. There is a standard kit available for about $100. Without the kit you can get flexing in the mounting and the box may even start breaking away at the holes in the frame.

Bruce

 

[chevy_man_3]

I would also check to make sure that the steering stabilizer (damper) is still good. That would affect it alot.
vince