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79 K10 steering issue help!!

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79general

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my truck is a 79 K10 with a dana 44 in the front. it is having a steering issue that just popped up and i have now clew what could be causing it, im at a loss... kinda. the symptoms are almost like something is loose but nothing is. some times, not all the time (seems to happen more when the truck and the weather is warm) there is a delay in the steering when turing. ill turn the wheel and the truck will start to turn but not as much as it should then all of the sudden it will pull hard or veer in the direction im turning. this is a problem when on long slow bends because the truck will veer hard and when i correct the direction of the truck and i veer hard the other way... sketchy. on the free way some times the truck drives just fine but other times it just wont go straight and it is constantly trying to veer one way or the other its not happy going straight is almost like but not quite like im on a mound or in ruts. i think it could be the steering box but not sure. i flushed out the PS fluid and there was some ATF in there it looked like a mix of ATF and PS fluid. i replaced it with PS fluid it helped some but it still dose it, that is what makes me think it could be the steering box but, i really am just guessing and have no real idea what could be going on. every thing seems tight linkages, ball joints, steering column the one thing i have not had time to do is put it on a jack and see if there is any play in the tires toe in and toe out i dont think so because i replaced the hubs like a month ago and i would have noticed it then... i think. any ideas folks???
 
few comon things to look for.

loose front ubolts that hold the axle to the springs.

loose steering box bolts to frame or cracked frame were the box bolts to the frame.

steering shaft flex joint at the box goes bad.

check front end steering joints like tie rod ends for play or ball joints for play. to check ball joints jack up axle per side. then take a long pry bar under the tire and pry up. have someone watch for play in the lower joint. and then try and push the upper part of the tire in to the axle and watch for play.

and also check the wheel bearings for play when the axle is up off the ground.

try these first and let us know.
 
the steering box is not loose nor is the frame cracked there. ill check the steering shaft flex joint going in to the box from the column and see what i see.

i plan to check the ball joints but like i said did the hubs about a month ago and think i would have noticed bad ball joints but who knows ill check them and let you know.
 
sounds like play inside of the steering box.may just need to be adjusted correctly.there are 2 main adjustments that require a inch pounds torque wrench to adjust the play in the box.i was told that an easy adjustment is to loosen the top bolt and adjust the sector shaft closer to the input shaft all the way in and then back off a 1/2 turn.then tighten back the outer locking nut.i havent tried it yet tosee if it helps.but if you over tighten it ,it will not turn and can burn up the steering box pretty quick.
 
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