wheels not returning to center well

[JointTech]

I got new wheels and tires and have finally been able to put a few miles on the truck. Its tracks straight on the road but sharp turns it doesnt like to straighten itself back out.

Can an alignment guru look at my numbers and tell me what would be better. I got a little lost in the make it handle thread.



if you click on the image you can see the fullsize one. this forum doesnt let you have big pictures anymore so you cant read it.

[Square_78]

Isn't that the caster that helps to pull the wheels back straight.
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[ulakovic22]

I was actually looking at your initial settings. Your final numbers look good, in terms of caster one side is higher to adjust for the crown in roads and almost 3.5 should be good to return to center. Could be gearbox related. Manual or power?
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[Square_78]

Wheels should be towed in ever so slightly
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[chevyrestoguy]

Originally Posted by ulakovic22

I was actually looking at your initial settings. Your final numbers look good, in terms of caster one side is higher to adjust for the crown in roads and almost 3.5 should be good to return to center. Could be gearbox related. Manual or power?
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I would have the shop get the caster angle even from side to side, and then test it out. That's too big of a difference from side to side, in my opinion. Low or unequal caster numbers will cause you to "chase" the steering as you drive it, always correcting and trying to bring it back to center. For the crown in the road, a change in camber on the passenger side may help, but that theory is often debated. I'm not a fan of that theory. The road would have to be extremely crowned to see any benefit from that adjustment, in my opinion.

I've had my best success with mirror-image values from side to side. It tracks straight, and the tires have even wear.

[jd7]

more caster.... and yes a little two in would help. Caster should be even if the drifting is a problem due to the crown correct it with a little camber

[JointTech]

its power steering.
all the suspension and steering parts other than the rear leafs are new. gearbox to tierods.

when i go around a corner in my scion I can just let the steering wheel slide when powering out of the turn and the car naturally wants to straighten out. Truck doesnt do that.

so ill see if they can give me more caster and even it out. As well as more toe.
anybody got a similar sheet of numbers I can see?

[Mikec10]

Originally Posted by JointTech

its power steering.
all the suspension and steering parts other than the rear leafs are new. gearbox to tierods.

when i go around a corner in my scion I can just let the steering wheel slide when powering out of the turn and the car naturally wants to straighten out. Truck doesnt do that.

so ill see if they can give me more caster and even it out. As well as more toe.
anybody got a similar sheet of numbers I can see?

Over adjusted steering box could cause it not to center well.

[JointTech]

talked to my alignment guy today. He's going on vacation so ill bring it by next week.
He said less castor helps in return to center. And toe doesnt help it track straight it just deals with the steering wheel being straight and the tierods being equal distance. Going to do some more research before taking it. He has a computer thingy so he can dial in whatever I tell him to. Just need to know what to tell him.

How do you overadjust a steering box? I have a reman I just put in. new pump, rag joint, brakes, springs, shocks, tierods, ball joints, pitman and idler arms, sway bar bushings, tires and wheels, wheel bearings, rotors, calipers, pads, shoes, rear drum hardware/springs. In fact the only things not new under the truck are
leaf springs, spindles, drums.

[jd7]

Wish you were a tad closer, I would help you out. did you have this problem before the tires and wheels were installed ? Or is this after all the upgrades ?

[JointTech]

it was basically undrivable before I did all the fixes. Tires and wheels was the last thing to make it road worthy.
So I dont really have anything to compare it to other than I dont remember it being like this on my old blazers growing up. Hell I dont think my split axle dump truck has a problm coming back to center out of a corner. lol

[jd7]

I'm doing some work on my 69 Saturday if i get the time i will put it on the rack and post the numbers for you. Does the steering feel stiff to you ?

[JointTech]

now that you mention it it does seem a tad stiff. I remember growing up all our pre 80s hooptys with power steering were 1 finger type trucks and cars. I replaced my PS pump because it was slipping and squealing but wonder if the new one isnt strong enough?

[Fastest32]

That difference in caster seems huge to me.
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