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| | | | Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 8 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 8 | I have a 66 C10 that I can barely turn the wheel unless I'm moving and sometimes it tough there as well.It does not have power steering. I have greased all the front end parts, I have checked the gear box too. When the truck is lifted off the ground its still hard to turn. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Gotta love the Rust!!
The more rust the better!
Old Chevs, old Lanterns, Rust!
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Low tires can actually do that. Jack up front and see if you can determine a big change or is it still stiff'ish. Also "checked gear box" ? how? adjusted per spec? clean out an lubed?
1. Did you do anything lately, new tires, hit a ditch, real cold weather or has it been that way a long time?
2. Are you new to this truck? never had an old truck before?
3. When you are moving down the road, steering OK? wondering? stiff? loose? rattle? grind? bump?
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 8 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 8 | Thanks for the fast response, I checked the lube in the gear box, When the truck is lifted its a little easier and I have had the truck for about 4-5 years and it has always been that way. When driving it steers hard but no noises of any kind or jumping around. I will check the air pressure and look into adjusting the gear box.
Thanks
Gotta love the Rust!!
The more rust the better!
Old Chevs, old Lanterns, Rust!
| | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,718 Moderator: 60-66 Trucks; North Eastern Bolters | | Moderator: 60-66 Trucks; North Eastern Bolters Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,718 | Did you check all of the mechanical connections (linkages and arms) through full range of travel? Put it up on stands and have someone run steering through full travel and make sure arms and linkages are free. Otherwise, Steering gear may be set too tight. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 788 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 788 | are the joints taking the grease.
another thing to look at is if the frame is cracked around the bolt holes of the s/box. I would also knock off the drag link end at the pitman arm; that way you can see if the stiffness is in the box or the steering linkage
ron | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 240 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 240 | My 65 1 ton was the same way, a friend recommended Justin Brother's friction modifier, a little in the steering box and for good measure some in the transmission, after a few days it steered way better and shifted smoother. Lucas makes a similar product. The steering box more than likely has the original gear oil in it.
You Learn more Listening than Talking
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,102 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,102 | Tire size and wheel width can also have an effect on steering.
I believe the stock wheels were about 5 1/2" and the tires were fairly skinny. If you are using oversize wheels and tires you may have contributed to the problem. If all the suggested mechanical issues are sorted out and you still have a problem you may need to do a PS conversion.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 | If it steers hard with the wheels off the ground... you can be confident that you have eliminated tires / wheels as the issue.
My '65 had P235/75R15 on the front and stock factory non-power steering. You don't need power steering, you just need to identify the problem.
Are you running a stock diameter steering wheel?
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