The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > All 4x4 Tech & Off Roading

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-20-2019, 02:55 PM   #1
Wildstreak
"something witty here"
 
Wildstreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Salmo, B.C, Canada
Posts: 966
Inconsistent veering

I have a 1971 chevy k10 and recently got it back on the road and it seams to veer inconsistently, it can drive straight for a few miles then it decides it wants to go left then right or right then left, its very unsettling. I know it drove straight before I replaced some things but i cant figure out what is causing the veering. I replaced spring bushing, ball joints, drag link, rag joint and the steering box. As far as i can tell my tow is still in place and everything is straight, and theres zero play anywhere. I may have over tightened my steering box when doing then adjustment, could that cause this? Any ideas on what could be causing the inconsistent veering? any help is appreciated!
__________________
57 chevy 4x4
70 swb fleetside 4x4
68 burb 2wd:
71 burb 2wd: 350 4spd
71 lwb fleetside 4x4: 350/sm465/205/3.07 eaton posi rear
72 lwb fleetside Cheyenne 454/th400
1991 GMC V3500 CC 4x4
Wildstreak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2019, 07:47 PM   #2
cadillac_al
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,325
Re: Inconsistent veering

I'd say it's the usual suspects. The new front end parts changed your alignment and it needs to be re-aligned. Even a simple toe adjustment can be tricky to get right. If the steering box is adjusted too tight it will make it feel twitchy and have no on-center feel. I would get it aligned and if it still feels twitchy I would loosen the steering box 1/8 of a turn.
__________________
76 Chevy K20
76 GMC K15
77 Chevy C10
77 Chevy K10
cadillac_al is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2019, 12:13 PM   #3
CO71Blazer
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 32
Re: Inconsistent veering

My 71 does the same thing, and as he said, I need to get an alignment done.

Last edited by CO71Blazer; 06-26-2019 at 09:13 PM.
CO71Blazer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 08:50 PM   #4
1976gmc20
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Montana
Posts: 3,696
Re: Inconsistent veering

Maybe too much toe in, and it's "snowplowing" on one wheel or the other depending on weight shift ???
__________________
Current/past Chevy/GMC trucks:
1958 Chevy C-60; 1965 GMC C-50; 1965 Chevy C-10; 1971 Chevy K-10; 1973 Chevy K-20; 1976 GMC C-20; 1977 Chevy C-10 Suburban; 1980 Chevy K-10; 1989 Chevy K1500; 1991 GMC V1500 Suburban; 2016 Chevy K2500 HD

Other vehicles: 1988 Jeep XJ; 2011 Toyota 4Runner
1976gmc20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2019, 09:57 AM   #5
DWilbur
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Jose Ca
Posts: 965
Re: Inconsistent veering

I had similar problems with my Dodge truck I replace everything related with steering from the steering wheel to the gear box twice to the drag links wheel bearings twice. 2 sets of ball joints and in the end to fix the last 15% of my problems it ended up being the leaf spring and shackle bushing on the rear axle. check your rear axle U bolts make sure they are tight. the rear bushing seamed like they were good but in the end it was the issue for me.
DWilbur is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2019, 12:21 AM   #6
Zoomad75
K5Camper
 
Zoomad75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pueblo, CO
Posts: 1,513
Re: Inconsistent veering

Might want to check the frame for cracks at the steering box mount. These trucks are known for it. If the steering box is moving off the frame you are not getting consistent steering from it.

Have somebody turn the wheel with it running while you watch if the box moves away from the frame by any amount. If you see movement it could be the mounting bolts being loose or the frame is cracked or both. It will be time for the ORD steering box brace and frame repair kits.
__________________
Rob Z.
1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP
1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper
Zoomad75 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2020, 01:24 AM   #7
Magicalzoomer
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wildstreak View Post
I have a 1971 chevy k10 and recently got it back on the road and it seams to veer inconsistently, it can drive straight for a few miles then it decides it wants to go left then right or right then left, its very unsettling. I know it drove straight before I replaced some things but i cant figure out what is causing the veering. I replaced spring bushing, ball joints, drag link, rag joint and the steering box. As far as i can tell my tow is still in place and everything is straight, and theres zero play anywhere. I may have over tightened my steering box when doing then adjustment, could that cause this? Any ideas on what could be causing the inconsistent veering? any help is appreciated!
Did you ever find out what was causing your issue? I am having a similar issue in a k5.
Posted via Mobile Device
Magicalzoomer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2020, 10:08 AM   #8
Stocker
20' Daredevil (Ret)
 
Stocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,488
Re: Inconsistent veering

Wheels & tires can also contribute to the problem. Too much negative offset (think deep dished wheel that sticks out of the fender) is hard on wheel bearings and can also cause tramlining. Wider tires can have a similar effect, and too much tire pressure can make the problem worse. The OP didn't mention replacing tie rod ends, though he might have since he replaced several other things.
__________________
- Mike -

1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205

RIP El Jay
Stocker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2020, 03:37 PM   #9
D.PASSMORE
One of the First
 
D.PASSMORE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: St. Augustine,FL.
Posts: 4,043
Re: Inconsistent veering

I had something similar happen, replaced all tie-rod ends on front end of my 4x4 Blazer, It would start veering around on rough/rutty pavement. Turn out the be a tie rod-end on steering link. The cotter pin fell out and castle nut was started backing down. I couldn't tell because all of the grease. It got squirrely only when driving, though!
__________________
DAVID PASSMORE
ST AUGUSTINE ,FL
ZIP 32084

'71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili)
'72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule)
'72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie)
D.PASSMORE is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com