The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk steering problems

Any ideas whats going on here? my wheels will only turn about half as far to the right as they do to the left... only about 25-30 degrees! what is wrong and how can this be fixed?

What did you do to it?

more info is needed here.

i just got it back from the shop. they installed power steering and pointed it out to me. truck was hit front left sometime in the past and possible that is related? shop suggested I have front end aligned... sounds like it may be more to it than a realign... or will that cure it?

Was it doing this before it went into the shop for the power steering install??

From center, how many turns to the right, and how many turns to the left does the steering wheel turn?

Larry, yes. i didnt really notice it we/o the power steering but now its very noticeable...

builder, at work now but will get back to you this evening or tomorrow on that

sounds like someone must have took apart the gear box and turned it slightly or alot and put it back together, had that problem with my 1955 2nd 3600 and took alot of pulling one part out turning it slightly then putting it back in and check it again one time i couldn't even turn em one way and i could turn em like all the way the other way
Nate

Sounds like the steering gear was turned a full turn without the pitman arem being installed. Then the pitman are was installed, thus limiting the turning capability to one side.

Phil

good point phil... curious if could this be result of a bent frame??? doesnt sound like it could but was mentioned by the shop. what problems would a slightly bent frame cause?

phil... if this is the cause I could remedy it by disconnecting the pitman arm from the steering box, centering the steer and re-attaching the pitman arm? what would be the best way to make sure its centered correctly before re-attaching the pitman arm?

I don't know about a 63 but the with the AD trucks, you can only install the Pitman arm one way. If the Pitman arm is the wrong one, it will cause this. Also, the steering box can be put together with the gears one tooth out and this will cause this.

The power steering pitman arm can go on 4 different positions each 90o apart. If it was on the wrong one it wouldent work at all. There may be a missmatch of parts. Did they use a bracket kit to change it over. If not it may be in the wrong position. Count the turns lock to lock & turn the wheel half way in between. The pitman & idler arm should point straight back. The inner tie rod ends should be in the same relative to the frame. If so you can adjust the tie rods to center the wheels & set the toe in.

well the power steering box is freshly rebuilt and problem was occuring before putting the new box in. also the pitman arm came with the box as a kit. i think phil might have something there. think i'll check that first... thanks for the advice anyways

Also look for a bent tie rod.

From what I have seen on big and small trucks with straight axles, the rear joint of the drag link, where it hooks to the left spindle, will be centered over the axle in the straight ahead position.
And when checking the gear box for center, be sure and unhook it from the steering system. A to short or to long drag link can do just what you are describing. Joe

I'd start by checking the linkage geometry;if everything is like it should be,try taking it back to the mechanic and asking him to replace the steering box. BTW-he had no business releasing the truck to you with the steering like that;if you wrecked it on the way home,you could own him,if you lived. In our shop we would've (and several times did) worked on it until we were sure it was right and safe.
Speed