The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Steering Issues need Help!

Hi. I have a 1951 Chevy 3100 Panel Truck….On my steering , I have replaced every component including front main springs and a professionally built stock steering box and an alignment . When I drive this Truck on a straight road, I have to adjust the steering wheel because it moves from an. 11:00 to a 1:00 position ……. I want to enjoy this truck not fight with it ……..Any suggestions on is there a different modern steering box available to use with everything else remain the same me ? Thanks Guys !!!




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Chevybruce, I know you mentioned every component replaced but were all the items as mentioned by 52Carl addressed"Before I even think about touching the steering box, I remove and inspect the tie rod ends and the drag link ends. Then I check for play in the king pins"? On my 51 I pretty much did all the things Carl suggested including new kingpins and the old '51 3600 drives great.

I am running radial tires now which made a significant improvement especially on less than perfect paved country roads. If you're running bias ply tires and drive country roads they may well be the culprit.

Good Luck,

RonR

Chevybruce, a few questions,

How much of the steering and suspension is new? tie-rod ends, drag-link, king pins, spring bushings and shackles, and springs?
What are the alignment spec's? toe-in and caster?

Setting still, with a very light touch on the steering wheel, how much play does it have before you feel resistance?
Have someone watch the tires, how much do you have to move the wheel before the tires turn?
Have someone watch the output shaft of the steering box, how much movement of the wheel before the shaft turns?

What type of tires do you have? How much air is in them?
What type of tie-rod and drag-link ends are on the truck? The original spring loaded ball & socket type are adjustable, have they been set properly? King pins been checked and greased lately?

With these questions, we can determine where the play is. With a correctly set gear box, in the straight ahead position, the output shaft and worm gear are making 100% contact, so zero play.

Jack the truck up so both front tires are off the ground, turn the wheel to the far left, then turn back to the far right, DID YOU FEEL it get tight as you crossed center? If not, you box has worn parts or is not adjusted correctly.

As for driving, how much caster angle does it have? Are the caster wedges in place between the springs and axle? Are they in the right direction, thick part towards the rear of the truck? 4 degrees is a good starting point. With out enough caster, the steering feels light and you are always making corrections. does it return to center after making a turn, to much caster brings it back really fast, too little and you have to turn it back to center?

I have a '41 gear box in my '37 truck, it drives as good as my '03 truck, no wondering around, straight down the road, one handed driving. Theres no reason to change yours, properly set up it will drive as well as new truck does. They didn't wonder around when new!

There is no need for a modern steering box. I drive my 1950 3100 all the time on local roads and the interstate at 55-65 mph. I can let go of the wheel and it drives straight as an arrow.

The steering box, springs, and steering linkage have never been replaced but are in good shape.

New shocks, wheels, and tires made all the difference in handling.

If your gear is adjusted properly and all the other components are in good shape, you won't have to fight the wheel while driving. You didn't mention shock absorbers, tires, or wheels but I assume they're new also. If not, check those components. Bent rims? Imbalanced tire(s), or worn out shocks will make the car miserable to drive. What size wheels and tires are you using?

If all of those components are in perfect adjustment, then you have a more serious problem like a bent frame or something causing your truck not to track properly.