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71 K20 steering issues

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PapaSmurf

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Jan 26, 2006
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Location
Issaquah, WA
Last summer I moved from orange county Ca back home to Kent, Wa and finally got the truck into the garage and she's running again. Went out on a drive this weekend and this is hard to describe. It would take several small steering adjustments just to keep it going straight down the road. Sometimes it felt like it was binding then get past it and be fine no binding for a while then it would do it again. I have in the last year or so replaced the gearbox, both drag links, ball joints, wheel bearings, and checked the tie rods several times. A friend of mine suggested I may have a bent frame or misaligned axles. Is there an easy way to check either without special tools or anyone near me willing to take a look at it, I will provide beer and grilled meats of your choosing. Thanks!
 
It may have a siezed up or binding front axle u-joint...if the ball joints are OK and are well greased its probably not them at fault..I'd make sure the front spring center bolts are not sheared and the u-bolts are tight ..

My 82 K2500 was recently put back into daily driver status after sitting most of the time,and I noticed sometimes when I pull out of my driveway the steering wheel feels like it dont want to go back to straight ahead easily like it should,and it'll sometimes feel like the right wheel wants to dart into the ditch for a second,then it'll "center" and feel "normal" again...

I think the axle u-joints are binding up in it,or maybe the ball joints,I see no play in any of them,but they are all crusty with rust from sitting..

Sometimes just a tire can make things act weird like this,when a belt shifts,irregular wear pattern, or it gets flat spotted from sitting idle a long time...might try swapping tires around from front to rear to see if its that first..
 
Maybe the gearbox has air in it. Might try and bleed it and make sure the fluids are topped off. Easy way is to get the front up off the ground and cut the wheel back and forth and see if it is still binding. This will also bleed the system if it has been sitting or never got bled good enough. This is what it sounds like to me. Or you didn't get a good rebuild. Make sure everything has enough grease in the drag link and tie rod ends as well.
 
Ball joints, front and rear axles were both completely rebuilt last summer before I left. I assume if my centering pins were missing the shop that did the work would of told me. My leaf springs are flat and probably due for replacement. Ubolts are tight, and my leaf spring bushings look good. Power steering system is free of air bubbles the pump however seeps a little fluid and is on my list to replace soon

I may not be explaining my issue well its hard to describe. It wanders while driving the faster I'm going the less it tends to wander. While its wandering the steering wheel will randomly have resistance in either direction never in the same spot.

I've had it at 2 different shops and have had several friends and co-workers ( I'm a mechanic ) drive it and look it over. Its been suggested my frame is cracked at the steering box which its not. The frame is bent which I have no way of testing without paying a ton at a body shop. Or my axles are not aligned correctly which my alignment machine at work says the thrust angle is correct however that's just from axle to axle not taking into account the frame or body. I'm probably looking at an expensive trip to a body body shop with a frame straightener. Any input is still appreciated
 
Sounds to me its an internal steering gear problem,judging by the "random resistance" that keeps changing around to me,if everything else checks out OK..rebuilt boxes aren't always "good" ,you can get one that was a bad core or rebuilt by an ametuer who didn't do it right..
 
Steering gearbox is from off road design (ORD). I ordered their heavy duty stock replacement after a lengthy discussion about doing a crossover conversion. If the box was binding internally I would think it would do so In the same spot every time. When I replaced the box I removed the ranchero steering damper that the previos owner installed may need to try it again as well

Something one of my co-workers pointed out to me I am running 33x16.5x12.5 pro comp all-terrain tires and the wider tires could be screwing with steering. may have to get some steel wheels and junkyard tires. Process of elimination I suppose.
 
yes, I had the same symptoms and the axle shaft ujoint was siezed, would only turn/pivot in one direction and even in a part time setup with no 4x4, it plays a huge role in steering.
 
could be spring eye bushings causing it to wander,,,,shackle bushings,,,loose u-bolts,,, broken spring pack pin,,,frame cracked at steering box,,,loose frame/crossmember rivets..

If it's lifted and has the stock steering, you maybe just experiencing bump steer.... real common on lifted trucks without crossover..
 
Holy crap, its been a while. lost my job and projects like my truck were left in the driveway. Got the old truck dug out of the weeds and started to tackle my steering issue. Had a fellow mechanic look over my steering while i turned the wheel. low and behold the whole damn steering box was moving. We found all 4 bolts to the box were loose and backed out 1/4 in and the lock washers were missing. It would appear when i replaced the box i should of used new lock washers the old ones must of cracked when i tightened them down and the bolts started to back themselves out. Installed new lock washers and grade 8 bolts with locktite. Still steered a little funny some quick measurements showed my front and rear axles are installed a little crooked. Got the axles in order and while i was at it i replaced the front u-joints behind the knuckles as suggested here, one was free the other was a little stiff but spun still. Did a quick alignment and now it drives how a 40 year old lifted truck should. On to the next broken thing:thumb:
 
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