The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Shocks

Hey guys I need some help please. I have a 51 chevy truck I have put power steering on it and it works great. I used a kit from CPP. I am having a problem that when driving down the road it seems to be jumping around a bit. Some times when I hit the brake it will jump to one side a bit. This truck sit for about 16 years in a garage. It was completely restored then. I was wondering if the shocks could be bad from sitting so long. The front suspension is all stock except for disc brakes. Thanks for the help.

Have the alignment checked? Shocks are relatively cheap, go ahead and replace them. Make sure the brakes aren’t grabbing.🛠

"All stock"- - - -"Power Steering"- - - - -"Disc brakes"- - - - -somehow those statements don't make good nonsense. It's either stock or it's not. It sounds like you're having steering geometry problems, which is not uncommon with some of the power steering conversion kits that are available. Some of them give me nightmares- - - -they are so poorly designed they should be illegal. It's very unlikely that different shocks are going to correct a built-in steering problem. Find someone who understands the physics of a steering and suspension system and pay him to correct the assembly mistakes.
Jerry

Are you using original adjustable tie rod ends? They are just fine if adjusted properly. You will need to fabricate a tool to tighten the end cap far enough to bottom out the spring on each tie rod end. I big screwdriver won't cut it in many instances.
I made one out of a 1/2" nut and bolt (the head is 3/4"). Grind the the bolt head until you have what looks like a flat blade screwdriver end which will fit snug in the slot in the tie rod end cap.
I then welded the nut to the bolt so that I can use a 3/4" wrench to tighten the cap.
Take the tie rod ends apart and clean with solvent.
Inspect for excess wear of ball ends and socket cups.
Reinstall tie rod ends.
Bottom out the springs then back off just enough to get a cotter pin into nearest hole in the tie rod end.
Grease.
Adjust toe in.
Drive.
If that doesn't stop the bump steer, check to see if your drag link is parallel to the ground in the straight ahead position.

It would be simpler to look up "drag link socket" on Ebay, and just buy one. There's usually a couple of dozen listed there. They come in at least two sizes- - - -one for drag links, and a smaller one for tie rods.
Jerry

The CPP power steering kit comes with modern style ends.
The stock tie rod ends can be replaced with modern tie rod ends, but there will be some rather tedious work to remove the pressed and peened in ball ends on the spindles. Personally, that part scares me. But I am a chicken when it serves me well.
Carl