drives like a wet noodle

[rushtheblazer]

hey guys kinda new here, I picked up a very worn 89 blazer and got it home. I just replaced the steering box and haven't made any adjustment to the alighment yet but had to purchase a new adjustable drag link because the old one had alot of play what would be best to get it driving straight and not being so jerky when making slight adjustments to steering it on straight aways?

 

[76zimmer]

Welcome to CK5…
Try a video like this for a driveway alignment. I didnt watch it but there are others videos available as well that will get you close. Check your other steering components for wear by having someone cycle the steering wheel while you observe all of the wearpoints in the steering system. Also check out your wheel bearings/hub assemblies for adjustment/wear.

 

[rushtheblazer]

hey man thanks I checked all the other wear points and didn't notice any outstanding movements just don't want to over do it, but no shop will do it around me because of the hight. I did notice that my tires are kinda off so I know I need to do an alighment just wanted to see if anyone has had the same issue? does not help I'm taking it back from a mudder back to a lifted road princess

 

[Wes Harden]

How much lift does the truck have ? the drag link should have a slight angle down from the pit man to the steering arm.
I am not sure what you are trying to describe in 1st post when you say jerky. Is it wandering ?Is it hard to make small corrections? if you turn the wheel does it return to center by itself?

 

[rushtheblazer]

How much lift does the truck have ? the drag link should have a slight angle down from the pit man to the steering arm.
I am not sure what you are trying to describe in 1st post when you say jerky. Is it wandering ?Is it hard to make small corrections? if you turn the wheel does it return to center by itself?

it has a 6 in lift and on 38s it wanders real hard and will sometime stay straight but then out of nowhere pull and start wandering again then I slightly adjust the steering wheel to adjust, it turn into a hard jerk correction

 

[BoondocK5]

Like was stated earlier. You've probably got a few worn items in there. Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth, while you watch for things that move, without them moving other things. Best way I think to say it.
Welcome to best place on the interweb.

 

[Recon 78]

Second what others have said
Also when someone is turning the wheel and you're looking for extra movement, look real close at the steering box.
Very common on our trucks to have frame cracks behind it.
Search that on here. Lots of info
Welcome!

 

[BoondocK5]

My Chloe(73 K10) the frame almost cracked in half. Thing wandered down the road, like a lost puppy.

 

[Fastereddie]

It probably needs more caster

 

[rushtheblazer]

it needs a good bit of love, and thank you guys just want to get it right

 

[76zimmer]

With 6” lift if you haven’t already, you should go crossover steering as well!

 

[BoondocK5]

With 6” lift if you haven’t already, you should go crossover steering as well!

I didn't really think about it, but, yes, that alone is probably responsible for the poor driving manners, let alone, any worn out parts.

 

[ballencd]

Can you do crossover steering with no lift? I’ve read that crossover will give a bit smaller turning radius and was interested in that but not wanting to lift my 91 v1500 Suburban. Inquiring minds want to know?

 

[Wes Harden]

@rushtheblazer Check your ball joint carefully if they are sticking, don't rotate smoothly, that will stop the wheel from returning to center, and make it hard for you to make small easy corrections.
With 6" of lift you are probably right at the lowest acceptable caster setting. Less caster means squirrely at moderate to high speeds. Shorter wheel bases tend to need more caster.
No easy fix for the caster. best fix is to cut the "C" and rotate, while getting the correct pinon angle and caster adjustment. Shimming the axle under the front springs to adjust caster is doable but this will effect you front drive line angles negatively. Many do this be cause the front gets used much less and much lower speed. front drive line will need more maintenance.

 

[Wes Harden]

@ballencd

Check this thread for you answers. But the short and quick is no.

Discuss crossover steering: Close to OEM height daily driver

If you have crazy soft springs that let the axle move too much I suppose crossover can make things worse. Mine is awesome and have no trouble on the highway at 80+. But I have relatively firm TC 4" lift springs.

ck5.com

 

[rushtheblazer]

so where I have the most issue is whan I get on the brakes or low speeds or say get up to speed and I'm letting it coast that's when I really wants to put back and forth like playing pinpong with the road lines

 

[flatland]

What is your goal when you say going back to a road princess?
Are you planning to lower it any? Daily use or weekend cruiser?

Check any and all wear areas carefully. Don't forget u-bolts, spring bushings, shackles, shocks, steering stabilizer, spindle studs, steering column/rag joint. As already mentioned, wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, frame. Snug up, clean and/or grease as needed. Replace anything that's questionable. These parts may have been living a hard life with PO.

For mostly road use, new parts and upgrades like crossover steering will be worthwhile. You aren't going to want to constantly fight issues on the road that a mudder can simply ignore while playing.

 

[rushtheblazer]

well fellas I got it fixed just needed a new adjustable draglink and alignment and greased all the joints runs like a Sunday breeze now

 

[mpg7_400]

hey guys kinda new here, I picked up a very worn 89 blazer and got it home. I just replaced the steering box and haven't made any adjustment to the alighment yet but had to purchase a new adjustable drag link because the old one had alot of play what would be best to get it driving straight and not being so jerky when making slight adjustments to steering it on straight aways?

I had a worn steering knuckle hole. ORD provided new tapered insert and new tie rod ends. Just have to inspect everything in the steering linkage. Unless everything is perfect you will find yourself gripping tightly the steering wheel as you wobble down the road, a nervous wreck by the end of the drive. The bigger the tires, the more problematic the steering issues.

 

[chulisohombre]

Glad you got It figured out it seems. Anything over 6 inch lift starts to Beat up parts and heavy tires don’t help Either.