The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Steering like crazy just to go straight

Can anything be done to the stock steering (on my '53 3600) to make it so I don't need to swing the wheel back-n-forth (6 inches) just to go straight? I took it to an old mechanic once and he assured me it is driving just the way they did when new.

As anyone ever tried something like steering stabilizers with any success? I was looking at these http://www.jcwhitney.com/hydraulic-steering-stabilizers/p2006042.jcwx?filterid=d51605y1953j2
Thanks!

Drag link ends, tie rod ends, spindle bolts and bushings, shackle kits, spring eye bushings, toe in set, caster shims, and the steering box sent off to Lare's in Minnestota and you can pull the throttle out and read the sunday paper while it cruises in a perfectly straight line. First thing is to have someone that knows what they're doing (like a shop that works on semi tractors which still have straight axles) to see what is worn out and what isn't. Remember dragsters are running 330mph with a straight axle so they WILL track straight.

It could be any of the things that coilover identified. In my case new kingpins fixed the problem. I believe it is pretty common to have worn kingpins cause the issue you have.

Thanks for the advice - It's good to know they can drive straight.

If that front end has not been rebuilt to remove all of the play in the steering, you have a parade speed truck. As Coilover said all of these need investigation, a small looseness in each adds up to lots of looseness in the steering wheel.
Rember that fixing all the worn out problems, it is still a 60mph front end.

mine runs 70 - 75 mph all day long when I take it out. Straight axle steering is just like any other steering. Tightening the steering box would be my first guess and best place to start.


http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/booklets/5220mts01.htm

Joe

One thing to consider also thirtysixhundred, are the rivets on the spring hangers (believe me, I found that out quick ). My 49 1/2 ton did the same and after trying and adjusting everything I could it was not traveling straight, till one day I tore the entire front end apart and realized that sring hanger was crooked (no tension from the springs ). I could rock the hanger with my hand with the rivits in place!...I grinded the rivets off and installed grade 8 bolts and now she travels straight as an arrow. Now I need to rebuild my steering box but that's another story......hope it works out and good luck...keep us posted

Wow, that Overhauling Truck Steering manual is a great find. Thanks for sharing

I had problems with my 58 even after installing new king pins. Tied rods were adjustable, but tight. Steering box didn't have play, yet it was a wild ride to go down the road.

One day I had the front end in the air with the axle swinging and realize the spring shackle bushings were worn out letting the front axle move back and forth.

Replaced those spring shackle bushings and it's been good ever since.