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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 156 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 156 | I've searched and found a few posts that are close but not exactly my problem.
I have a 1951 1/2 ton. When she's sitting in the driveway with wheels pointed straight ahead, the top of the steering wheel is "at 12 o'clock". In other words, the Chevrolet logo on the steering wheel is horizontal, as you would expect. However, when I'm driving down the road straight ahead (not turning), the top of the steering wheel is "at 3 o'clock", turned approx 90 degrees to the right. Aligned in the driveway, but 90 degrees off on the highway?
Any ideas what to check? From reading the other posts, it sounds like it could be anything from a steering adjustment with a cheap fish scale to something in the area of the tie rods.
Your suggestions are appreciated.
DJ
'51 Chevy 3104 1/2-ton 216
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | There are a couple of things that could be going on. AD steering linkage is really primitive and your complaint is fairly common. I would start by checking the toe-in of the wheels, if it is off then you will have problems.
How are you determining that the wheels are pointed straight ahead? The wheels should actually appear to be slightly toed in if they are really pointed straight ahead.
The next most likely thing is the drag link- they are not adjustable, and wear in the drag link ends and spring shackles and eyes tends to move the axle location forward or backwards with respect to the steering box, changing the angle slightly. You can try replacing all the pivot points, but you likely won't fix it. There is a way to make an adjustable drag link (its in the tech tips).
The third possiblity is that your frame or rear axle is tweaked a bit and the truck is "crabbing" down the road. Have somebody follow you while you drive. If your truck looks like a bulldog walking, your rear wheels are swinging your truck enough that you have to steer to the right to keep going straight down the road.
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 88 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 88 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,703 | I agree with 4 on the floor...seen MANY a "Bulldog" runnin down the road in front of me... | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | First thing I'd check is for any play in the steering box (easily adjusted), and play in the kingpins or tie rod ends. If all checks good then this problem can be easily fixed by taking the steering wheel off and rotating it 90 degrees then remounting it so that when you're driving, it's correctly positioned. I'll bet the wheels still look "straight ahead" when parked.
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