66 C10 steering is crap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jmosselli · 09-30-2018, 12:31 PM

Hey guys, I am in dire need of help here. My dad and I have done some work on his 66. We installed CPP tubular control arms, 2”? Drop spindles, disc brake conversion, and sway bar. We used the stock springs. This truck steers like garbage, doesn’t return to center and barely wants to steer at all. It does NOT have power steering. We got an extra set of ball joints that I noticed said they were for the 71-73 or something like that. I tried adjusting the caster into spec, but it took like 1/2” or more of shims on the rear bolt just to get it to -1* of caster. I have a feeling the control arms may be the wrong ones of something.

Does anyone have any input, or way to verify the control arms are correct?
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**Clyde65** · 09-30-2018, 03:46 PM

Maybe some pictures will help.

**PGSigns** · 09-30-2018, 08:01 PM

Many a thread here on front end alignment issues. One thing that comes up is the upper control arms on the wrong side. Post some pictures and we should be able to help.
Jimmy

Jmosselli · 09-30-2018, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Many a thread here on front end alignment issues. One thing that comes up is the upper control arms on the wrong side. Post some pictures and we should be able to help.
Jimmy

Unfortunately I’m not with the truck. It’s 2 hours away. It’s our weekend project when we have time to work on it so getting pictures is not possible at the moment. I’m pretty sure we have the upper control arms on the correct sides. The bends in the arms are towards the rear of the truck and the cpp stickers are toward the front.
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BR3W CITY · 10-01-2018, 09:51 AM

I read the title and went "yep, seems about right"

Search the "caster mod" its the only way to reeeally crank that caster in there without a pile of shims. Alignments on any lowered truck will be pretty critical, since your gonna have heavily changed geometry with anything more than an inch or two drop.

Even with all that, it will still steer like a 4000 pound truck with manual steering...just hopefully straight.

Jmosselli · 10-01-2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I read the title and went "yep, seems about right"

Search the "caster mod" its the only way to reeeally crank that caster in there without a pile of shims. Alignments on any lowered truck will be pretty critical, since your gonna have heavily changed geometry with anything more than an inch or two drop.

Even with all that, it will still steer like a 4000 pound truck with manual steering...just hopefully straight.

Ok I’ll check that out. My dads biggest complaint is that it doesn’t return to center like it did before we did the mods. I’ve tried to explain to him it’s probably alignment but he thinks it’s something else. Even getting the caster up to -1* he said it still felt the same. I understand that’s still out of spec, but you’d think it would have Atleast felt better.
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chevy_mike · 10-01-2018, 11:04 AM

Definitely check if the arm are on the wrong side. Very easy mistake to make, even with stock arms. If they are, you will NEVER get the caster right.

**The Rocknrod** · 10-01-2018, 01:00 PM

Did you say you were 'adding' shim to the 'rear' bolt to get caster?

09-30-2018, 12:31 PM	#1
Jmosselli Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: WA Posts: 3	66 C10 steering is crap Hey guys, I am in dire need of help here. My dad and I have done some work on his 66. We installed CPP tubular control arms, 2”? Drop spindles, disc brake conversion, and sway bar. We used the stock springs. This truck steers like garbage, doesn’t return to center and barely wants to steer at all. It does NOT have power steering. We got an extra set of ball joints that I noticed said they were for the 71-73 or something like that. I tried adjusting the caster into spec, but it took like 1/2” or more of shims on the rear bolt just to get it to -1* of caster. I have a feeling the control arms may be the wrong ones of something. Does anyone have any input, or way to verify the control arms are correct? Posted via Mobile Device

09-30-2018, 03:46 PM	#2
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,539	Re: 66 C10 steering is crap Maybe some pictures will help. __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

09-30-2018, 08:01 PM	#3
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: 66 C10 steering is crap Many a thread here on front end alignment issues. One thing that comes up is the upper control arms on the wrong side. Post some pictures and we should be able to help. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

10-01-2018, 09:51 AM	#5
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: 66 C10 steering is crap I read the title and went "yep, seems about right" Search the "caster mod" its the only way to reeeally crank that caster in there without a pile of shims. Alignments on any lowered truck will be pretty critical, since your gonna have heavily changed geometry with anything more than an inch or two drop. Even with all that, it will still steer like a 4000 pound truck with manual steering...just hopefully straight. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

10-01-2018, 11:04 AM	#7
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: 66 C10 steering is crap Definitely check if the arm are on the wrong side. Very easy mistake to make, even with stock arms. If they are, you will NEVER get the caster right. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

10-01-2018, 01:00 PM	#8
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: 66 C10 steering is crap Did you say you were 'adding' shim to the 'rear' bolt to get caster? __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?



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