MattBaiamonte
Registered Member
I Just bought an 88 K5, I'm in El Segundo/Los Angeles area. I am looking for a mechanic, any recommendations? Thank you, Matt
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mechanic
- Thread starter MattBaiamonte
- Start date
rampage
3/4 ton status
We are our own mechanics. That’s the whole point of this forum. 
What seems to be the problem, maybe we can walk you through it.
What seems to be the problem, maybe we can walk you through it.
I’m not saying this in a rude way so don’t take it as such but if you take an 88 k5 to a mechanic in my area they will either
1. Tell you to get lost
2. Guess at every issue it has and charge you wayyyy to much to fix it.
Like rampage said, what’s up? Maybe we can help?
1. Tell you to get lost
2. Guess at every issue it has and charge you wayyyy to much to fix it.
Like rampage said, what’s up? Maybe we can help?
Roberts Custom Trucks is a member here, and does have a retail repair and customizing shop. Quite a drive from El Segundo. If it is something special or a bigger job you want done might be worth the drive. @jkroberts
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Roberts Custom Trucks
Roberts Custom Trucks, home of coilover conversions, 4 link kits, custom chassis modifications, general offroad fabrication and more for your classic chevy truck!
www.robertscustomtrucks.com
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MattBaiamonte
Registered Member
thank you, steering is very loose. kinda of all over the road.We are our own mechanics. That’s the whole point of this forum.
What seems to be the problem, maybe we can walk you through it.
Start by having someone shake the wheel back and forth while you watch from underneath….tie rod ends, ball joints and drag link are all suspect if you don’t know if they’ve ever been done
MattBaiamonte
Registered Member
would you know where i could get a driver side rear sliding glass?We are our own mechanics. That’s the whole point of this forum.
What seems to be the problem, maybe we can walk you through it.
rampage
3/4 ton status
For the top, look in the classifieds here or Craigslist, etc. Often times you see people trying to give the top away so free score there. Any rear glass from 73-91 will work and solid/sliding glass is interchangeable for future reference. No aftermarket that I can recall.
For the steering there are a lot of things to check. Do a search here for loose/wandering steering and you should find pages of results.
These are some of the things you’ll find:
As mentioned, have a helper saw the steering wheel back and forth while you’re looking at the steering components for slope in the joints. I always jack the driver’s side wheel up so there’s pressure at the end of the steering system and the driver’s side wheel is free to move.
Look at:
Worn rag joint, it’s the rubber part just in front of the steering box to help with vibrations that you feel in the steering wheel.
Cracks in the frame at the steering box. Square bodies are notorious for this. It may be so bad that you actually see the box moving away from the frame. Other times you’ll just see cracks in the frame, mostly around the bolt holes. Look carefully with a very bright light.
Steering linkage: both ends of the drag link and tie rod.
Wheel bearings: Jack each wheel off the ground and grab the wheel at the 3 and 9 o’clock position and give it a good shake back and forth. You shouldn’t feel any excess play.
Ball joints: Jack each wheel off the ground and using a pry bar under the tire (with a piece of plywood between the tire and pry bar so you don’t puncture the tire) pressure down on the pry bar and look for movement in the ball points. I use my knee to press down but a helper would be best.
Axle u-bolts: make sure they’re tight and not letting the axle shift under the spring. You may notice a shiny spot on the spring.
When’s the last time you had an alignment? There’s only one thing that is meant to be adjusted/checked and we can walk you through that too if needed.
If you don’t know what any of the parts are that I mention then Google is your friend.
This should cover 95% of the issues. Check back in with your findings.
For the steering there are a lot of things to check. Do a search here for loose/wandering steering and you should find pages of results.
These are some of the things you’ll find:
As mentioned, have a helper saw the steering wheel back and forth while you’re looking at the steering components for slope in the joints. I always jack the driver’s side wheel up so there’s pressure at the end of the steering system and the driver’s side wheel is free to move.
Look at:
Worn rag joint, it’s the rubber part just in front of the steering box to help with vibrations that you feel in the steering wheel.
Cracks in the frame at the steering box. Square bodies are notorious for this. It may be so bad that you actually see the box moving away from the frame. Other times you’ll just see cracks in the frame, mostly around the bolt holes. Look carefully with a very bright light.
Steering linkage: both ends of the drag link and tie rod.
Wheel bearings: Jack each wheel off the ground and grab the wheel at the 3 and 9 o’clock position and give it a good shake back and forth. You shouldn’t feel any excess play.
Ball joints: Jack each wheel off the ground and using a pry bar under the tire (with a piece of plywood between the tire and pry bar so you don’t puncture the tire) pressure down on the pry bar and look for movement in the ball points. I use my knee to press down but a helper would be best.
Axle u-bolts: make sure they’re tight and not letting the axle shift under the spring. You may notice a shiny spot on the spring.
When’s the last time you had an alignment? There’s only one thing that is meant to be adjusted/checked and we can walk you through that too if needed.
If you don’t know what any of the parts are that I mention then Google is your friend.
This should cover 95% of the issues. Check back in with your findings.
Saw someone advertising rear sliders today or yesterday here CK5
rampage
3/4 ton status
You mean the ones that were originally listed almost 2 yrs ago and the OP hasn’t been seen in almost as long?
Could be I didn't click on it.
Wow, I thought I was on the Cadillac forum for a minute!
I work on my Cadillac
Did anyone ever read a corvette forum? WOW
