Odd steering problem on k10

[landy]

All, I've got an unusual steering problem on a '71 k10 that I recently bought.

It's got power steering and original open knuckle front diff. When turning the steering wheel (either to left or right) at 90 to 180 degrees from center, I feel a noticeable stiffness. Before and after that position, steering turns normally.

With both front wheels off the ground, the stiffness is barely noticeable when turning the steering wheel. With the wheels off the ground, they both turn nicely with no play when moving the tires in and out.

Truck drives very nice down the highway with no wandering or vibration or shimmies.

The p.o. had had the steering wheel off to replace the turn signal switch. I recall that there's a bearing in the column, but I can't imagine a bad bearing here would cause this.

Failing steering box or any other thoughts?

[Terry Crist]

Is your truck lifted or stock height? If it is lifted and it does not have a dropped pitman arm you could have some binding. Normally a lifted truck without a dropped pitman arm will float all over the road though.

[landy]

It's stock height. Yeah, that's what's puzzling since it tracks straight with no wandering. Great other than this weird stiffness or binding.

[jrdv]

Does it have a steering dampener ( looks like a shock absorber )? If so, unbolt it and drive the truck to see if that changes anything.

I had the same problem with one of mine and I put a new dampener on, which fixed the problem

Good luck!

John

[landy]

It doesn't have a steering damper, but good suggestion.

[LockDoc]

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If someone has adjusted the steering box at some point in time it may be adjusted a little too tight. Same symptoms.

LockDoc

[too much stuff]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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If someone has adjusted the steering box at some point in time it may be adjusted a little too tight. Same symptoms.

LockDoc

This was my first guess also...

[CUSTOM/10]

It sounds like the steering box has been adjusted to me also. The gear in the steering box gets worn in the middle where it sees the most use, and get sloppy. So if the adjustment is turned in to get rid of the slop the middle, it’s now tight further out in the turn. Ask me how I know !

Gary

[landy]

Sounds reasonable. Is there a procedure for adjusting the steering box, perhaps in the manual?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by landy

Sounds reasonable. Is there a procedure for adjusting the steering box, perhaps in the manual?

I'm not sure about the manual but I would think so. All I know is you want to loosen the lock nut and only turn the adjusting screw about 1/16 of an inch at a time then re-tighten it.... Also remember where you started. (mark it)

LockDoc

[zeeklu]

I have a 67 k-10 with the axle out of a 72. Mine was acting similar and it ended up being bad u-joints in the front axle.

[CUSTOM/10]

Yes that's another possibility, if the u-joints are binding up they could make it act the similar !

[burnin oil]

Originally Posted by zeeklu

I have a 67 k-10 with the axle out of a 72. Mine was acting similar and it ended up being bad u-joints in the front axle.

Dads blazer did this when I was a kid. Eventually it would just lock up at wierd angles. It was the only joint we payed someone to change and they ended up cutting it out with a torch. The shop thought it was going to be an easy $20 when we dropped the axle shaft off