Turning radius question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Gene · 10-18-2011, 04:02 PM

What am I overlooking here? The truck will make a tighter turn to the left than it will to the right? Im running 91 differentials and power steering.
Posted via Mobile Device

*72longbed* · 10-18-2011, 07:58 PM

Gene,
how much did you lift your truck? Usually that limited turning radius has to do with the drag link / steering arm / pitman arm combo. I have had similar problems afer lifting a 72 4 inches. Did you install a 'lifted' steering arm?

Don't worry ... it can be centered and corrected.

Great, Great truck BTW!!

72longbed

Gene · 10-18-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72longbed

Gene,
how much did you lift your truck? Usually that limited turning radius has to do with the drag link / steering arm / pitman arm combo. I have had similar problems afer lifting a 72 4 inches. Did you install a 'lifted' steering arm?

Don't worry ... it can be centered and corrected.

Great, Great truck BTW!!

72longbed

Thanks! Yep I installed a raised steering arm when I lifted the truck. So I need to recenter the drag link?
Posted via Mobile Device

*72longbed* · 10-18-2011, 08:37 PM

Is your steering wheel centered as you drive down the road? Did you install the steering column and the power steering box?

I'll wait for your answers before I go further.

Thanks.

snj8198 · 10-18-2011, 08:39 PM

Hi Gene

Ya, sounds like you need to loosen the coupler and recenter you drag link assembly. It's easier with the tires off the ground. How's your steering wheel location?

-steve

Gene · 10-19-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72longbed

Is your steering wheel centered as you drive down the road? Did you install the steering column and the power steering box?

I'll wait for your answers before I go further.

Thanks.

Used the power steering gearbox from the 91 suburban 4 wheel drive, I have the tilt steering column from I 71 that's what I'm using, truck drive down the road great steering wheel stays straight, truck does not try to pull to the side the only problem is the truck will not turn very sharp to the right but it'll turn pretty sharp left.
Posted via Mobile Device

snj8198 · 10-19-2011, 01:10 PM

That still sounds like a steering geometry issue. It's been so long since I monkeyed with lifts. Is your drag link level?

Mr. 250r · 10-20-2011, 04:15 PM

That has happened on every square body mud truck I've seen the one I just sold, my brothers and my friends but my suburban somehow didn't have it and turned 38s like my 03 turns 35s up until I swapped in the d60 now it has the radius of a semi both ways, I'd go with what snj said and assuming it fixes it the left won't turn as sharp as it did keyword I think.... lol
Posted via Mobile Device

BLAZERMAN · 10-20-2011, 05:18 PM

Disconnect your draglink at the pitman arm....then turn your steering wheel all the way to to the left till it stops...take a peice of tape and put in on your steering wheel at the 12 oclock position...now turn your wheel all the way to the right and count the number of revoloutions your steering wheel makes...devide that number in half and turn your wheel back to the left that amount. Now loosen the collar on your draglink and either lenghten or shorten it till it reaches your pitman arm again....reconnect it. That will center your steering back up but your more than likely going to have to recenter your steering wheel now.

*72longbed* · 10-20-2011, 06:00 PM

What Blazerman said .... that's the way.

Don't be surprised if you find that you have to shorten your draglink. I mean actually cut some material from both sides and then screw it back together to center your steering wheel after you follow the procedure that Blazerman outlined.

72

mud slut 350 · 10-21-2011, 04:05 AM

Get a crossover steering setup you will be able to turn sharper both ways and get rid of that factory gm steering crap. with the crossover you wont have as much bumpsteer and when you flex you can STILL turn the wheel. With my stock steering i forgot what front tire was flexed up but the wheel went all the way one way and would not move now witht the crossover it dont matter.

Gene · 10-22-2011, 05:05 PM

Thanks blazerman, ill give that a try.
Posted via Mobile Device

Gene · 10-22-2011, 05:48 PM

Thanks blazerman, equal turns now. And maybe its all in my head but the steering feels better now?
Posted via Mobile Device

snj8198 · 10-22-2011, 08:48 PM

Glad you got it Gene.

10-18-2011, 04:02 PM	#1
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Turning radius question What am I overlooking here? The truck will make a tighter turn to the left than it will to the right? Im running 91 differentials and power steering. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1971 SWB 4X4 Build BOARD MEMBER #5448 BOOMER SOONER!!!!

10-18-2011, 07:58 PM	#2
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	Re: Turning radius question Gene, how much did you lift your truck? Usually that limited turning radius has to do with the drag link / steering arm / pitman arm combo. I have had similar problems afer lifting a 72 4 inches. Did you install a 'lifted' steering arm? Don't worry ... it can be centered and corrected. Great, Great truck BTW!! 72longbed

10-18-2011, 08:37 PM	#4
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	Re: Turning radius question Is your steering wheel centered as you drive down the road? Did you install the steering column and the power steering box? I'll wait for your answers before I go further. Thanks.

10-18-2011, 08:39 PM	#5
snj8198 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Star Valley, WY Posts: 2,038	Re: Turning radius question Hi Gene Ya, sounds like you need to loosen the coupler and recenter you drag link assembly. It's easier with the tires off the ground. How's your steering wheel location? -steve __________________ Steve 1971 GMC Longbox. Full Roller Stroker 489 w/ FiTech EFI, Chris Straub Cam/NV4500/205/D60/14B w. Grizzly Locker and 4.11's. 2" Lift on 33's

10-19-2011, 01:10 PM	#7
snj8198 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Star Valley, WY Posts: 2,038	Re: Turning radius question That still sounds like a steering geometry issue. It's been so long since I monkeyed with lifts. Is your drag link level? __________________ Steve 1971 GMC Longbox. Full Roller Stroker 489 w/ FiTech EFI, Chris Straub Cam/NV4500/205/D60/14B w. Grizzly Locker and 4.11's. 2" Lift on 33's

10-20-2011, 04:15 PM	#8
Mr. 250r Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: freeburg, illinois Posts: 885	Re: Turning radius question That has happened on every square body mud truck I've seen the one I just sold, my brothers and my friends but my suburban somehow didn't have it and turned 38s like my 03 turns 35s up until I swapped in the d60 now it has the radius of a semi both ways, I'd go with what snj said and assuming it fixes it the left won't turn as sharp as it did keyword I think.... lol Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1987 Chevy V30 - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=573854 1988 IROC-Z Camaro - 305/T5 T-Top 1989 GMC V35 - Marbolo Express http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596850 1991 V2500 Suburban Silverado - Sold 1991 V2500 Suburban Scottsdale - Big Nasty http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=497423 2001 Ram 3500 5.9 H.O NV56 EC DRW - Sold 2003 1500 Silverado 2004 Ram 3500 5.9 H.O NV56 CC DRW - Sold 2005 Silverado 2500HD 6.6/ZF6 CC LWB

10-20-2011, 05:18 PM	#9
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,826	Re: Turning radius question Disconnect your draglink at the pitman arm....then turn your steering wheel all the way to to the left till it stops...take a peice of tape and put in on your steering wheel at the 12 oclock position...now turn your wheel all the way to the right and count the number of revoloutions your steering wheel makes...devide that number in half and turn your wheel back to the left that amount. Now loosen the collar on your draglink and either lenghten or shorten it till it reaches your pitman arm again....reconnect it. That will center your steering back up but your more than likely going to have to recenter your steering wheel now. __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

10-20-2011, 06:00 PM	#10
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	Re: Turning radius question What Blazerman said .... that's the way. Don't be surprised if you find that you have to shorten your draglink. I mean actually cut some material from both sides and then screw it back together to center your steering wheel after you follow the procedure that Blazerman outlined. 72

10-21-2011, 04:05 AM	#11
mud slut 350 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Navarre Fl Posts: 93	Re: Turning radius question Get a crossover steering setup you will be able to turn sharper both ways and get rid of that factory gm steering crap. with the crossover you wont have as much bumpsteer and when you flex you can STILL turn the wheel. With my stock steering i forgot what front tire was flexed up but the wheel went all the way one way and would not move now witht the crossover it dont matter. __________________ 82 k10 350sbc, sm465, np205, dana 60 front 14 bolt ff rear 4 inch susp lift 33's aka "MUD SLUT" 2007 cbr 1000rr

10-22-2011, 05:05 PM	#12
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: Turning radius question Thanks blazerman, ill give that a try. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1971 SWB 4X4 Build BOARD MEMBER #5448 BOOMER SOONER!!!!

10-22-2011, 05:48 PM	#13
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: Turning radius question Thanks blazerman, equal turns now. And maybe its all in my head but the steering feels better now? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1971 SWB 4X4 Build BOARD MEMBER #5448 BOOMER SOONER!!!!

10-22-2011, 08:48 PM	#14
snj8198 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Star Valley, WY Posts: 2,038	Re: Turning radius question Glad you got it Gene. __________________ Steve 1971 GMC Longbox. Full Roller Stroker 489 w/ FiTech EFI, Chris Straub Cam/NV4500/205/D60/14B w. Grizzly Locker and 4.11's. 2" Lift on 33's



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.