Large Tires Causing Excessive Steering Play (problem fixed)

[nvrenuf]

Yeah definitely revisit the alignment. Caster has a decent range but if it's out it can cause a number of issues, most commonly seen is death wobble but that can usually be attributed to caster plus worn parts. Caster can cause wandering and a lazy return to center.

As far as adjustment, you can do thru leaf spring shims and even offset lower bearing pin plates. I brought mine into spec by slightly changing the length of my front spring rear shackle.

 

[1-ton]

Yeah definitely revisit the alignment. Caster has a decent range but if it's out it can cause a number of issues, most commonly seen is death wobble but that can usually be attributed to caster plus worn parts. Caster can cause wandering and a lazy return to center.

As far as adjustment, you can do thru leaf spring shims and even offset lower bearing pin plates. I brought mine into spec by slightly changing the length of my front spring rear shackle.

When it comes to caster, mine has a little more positive caster than it is supposed to have. Because of the lift I put on the truck, it turned the diff down enough that it caused a bit of an angle issue with my front drive shaft. The problem is definitely wandering and lazy return to center, I am going look at the king-pins because I have taken those apart recently, in order to install the cross-over steering, and I may have loaded the springs too tight with washers to the point of crushing the bushings. I have no death wobble at all, and the tires have balancing beads in them. The tires run real smooth at anything over 15 MPH. My whole truck actually rides real smooth as far as going down the road, but it just wanders all over the road.

 

[1-ton]

I found the problem with my steering. My king-pin springs where too tight from too many washers. The king-pin spring load was so high that the steering knuckles could not turn easily and smoothly.

 

[Fastereddie]

Glad you figured it out.

 

[sweetk30]

i tryed to shim them 2 times . and both times i pulled them back out .

1 time was springs and other was crane offroad spring eliminator kit .

if you need to shim i say you got other problems. like warn springs or other stuff.

 

[1-ton]

Here is a new picture of the beast.

Here is the new Chevy Express Van steering shaft.

 

[1-ton]

By the way, the Dorman part number for the steering shaft is 425-159. I bought mine from Rock Auto for $130, which included shipping.

 

[Ned Kelly]

Good to know, in case the local wrecking yards turn up nothing.

 

[J. Surg]

By the way, the Dorman part number for the steering shaft is 425-159. I bought mine from Rock Auto for $130, which included shipping.

Thank you for the info on this option. I just ordered one. Is yours still going strong after all of these years?

 

[Desert_K5]

@1-ton I would be interested in how the van shaft has been working also?

 

[1-ton]

Thank you for the info on this option. I just ordered one. Is yours still going strong after all of these years?

no problem. working great.

 

[8seater]

Price is $160 now