2 things i need help with

[karisanders]

first, i just got my 75 k5 and two thing i would like to fix right off. My sterring is extremely loose and yes it probably needs a new steering belt. and second the gas peddle is is extremely hard. Now where its botled to the floor is fine and as loose as it should be, but let me know other things i should look at.

i would like to do at the alterations myself.

 

[chevysmithz71]

Steering Belt???Its a fullsize chevy they are known for loose steering. You may have to live with that.
As for the throttle, try following the cable to the carb. It may be in a bind or the connection to the carb may be something to look at.
Hope this helps.

Welcome to the site. It is filled with knowledge and great people.

 

[Cornfield creations]

Yeah, loose steering is kinda normal. Although need to check the frame for cracks around the steering box. Loose steering to me may be tight to you, so gauging it is kind of difficult. Also check the draglinks, or tie-rods for play.

The stiff gas pedal I would check for binding in the linkage. The cable could be kinked, or someone may have put a really stiff spring on the carb linkage.

 

[Bogger Man]

I second their opinions! What exactly do you mean by "Steering Belt"? Do you mean the belt that drives the power steering pump? If that weren't tight enough to drive the pump correctly the steering would "feel" really hard. It could still be loose and hard at the same time though. I'm gonna shut up now.

 

[doonjumper]

Welcome to the board!! Have someone turn the sterring wheel as you watch how long it takes for the steering box to transfer that motion to the tires. If by loose you mean the steering is unresponsive then your steering box may be bad. Enjoy that K5

 

[trukker]

Definately check frame for cracking then steering linkage. Unhook you carb linkage from carb see if it moves freely if not spray with some kind of penetrant oil and work in and out till it frees up.

 

[karisanders]

the steering

well the steering to me is pretty loose. i can turn the wheel a full circle either way before it actually does anything. i have checked for cracks and found nothing.

 

[sooperedd]

My steering is a little loose on my '89 Burb and like others have said I just live with it. I also had the same problem with my gas pedal and it was REALLY stiff when I bought it from the PO. I had to push on it so hard the Burb would jerk and take off like I was racing. It was unsafe. But a new throttle cable was all it was. The cable was binding or something in the casing. Cheap and easy fix.

 

[blazinzuk]

If you can turn your steering wheel a full turn either way before it begins to move the front tires you have something major wrong.

Is the box loose? Tie rod ends the tie rod itself and the drag link loose.

With that much play I think you are looking at a multitude of problems.

 

[trukker]

Have some one turn the wheel while look at all the steering linkages as well as box. With that much slack your probably gonna need a box

 

[karisanders]

peddle fix

yeah the cable was way twisted and the previous owner had put a new spring on it that was also way tight so i streched it out and put new cable. all good

 

[chevysmithz71]

There ya go. True testiment to the CK5 brotherhood.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Also check the u bolts to make sure they are tight.

 

[Greg72]

Sloppy steering was the very first "tech" thing I ever fixed on my K5.

Here's the simple test:

With the engine running and the truck parked have someone turn the steering wheel from side-to-side fairly fast while you watch the draglink ends. If they're worn (and it sounds like they are) you will see them rise up from their mounts when turning pressure is applied. Basically the ends have slop in them and you won't get any actual turning out of the front end until all that free play is taken up in the draglink ends.

The nice part about this fix is that you can easily swap out one draglink end at a time, and screw the replacement unit back in until it drops perfectly down into the hole on the steering arm. In that way, you'll know that you got the setting perfect (or at least as perfect as it was before) and shouldn't have any weird issues with the truck turning a lot sharper in one direction than the other.

It's a simple fix, and a good confidence builder if you haven't done much work on trucks before. Give it a try.