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steering problems: delayed response/ wondering

k5 krawler 50

k5 krawler 50

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jan 26, 2004
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Location
Gardnerville, NV
As the title states i have some steering problems with my truck that i couldnt find the answers via search. Right now i have a dana 60 up front with 1.5x8 rock logic ram assist. My front axle is moved forward from stock about 1.5-2 inches, and i have also installed cross over steering on my rig as well. When i installed the lift springs i didnt get the desired castor angle and i'm about to adjust that with some shims, but my question is will dialing in my castor make my steering more responsive? Right now it is really delayed and does not turn when i turn the wheel, and gets a little hairy at times. So will fixing my castor angle help the steering response time?

other things i have done include modding the steering pump just like the west texas offroad article, and adding a extended filler neck to it.

specs are:
1982 k5 blazer
dana 60 front moved forward
NorthWestFab steering arm
brand new tie rod ends for both drag link and tie-rod
castor right now is 14*, with new shims it will be 6*
right now it has a zero rate up front but that will be removed once i install the shims in their place.
Rock logic 1.5x8" hydro assist
Modded steering pump

I did tap the top cap on the steering box. I did have to remove it to do it, but i followed the saginaw box rebuild thread on here and it has the same amount of threads showings as it did before i took it off.

The toe-in was set 1/8" off the brake rotors(should i take it with the wheels on instead, if that has anything to do with my steering response)

Also i'm installing a panhard bar and a steering box frame support.

So i guess my main question would be if the new shims that will correct my castor, if this will also correct my steering response and cure the wondering feeling? Thanks for all the help in advance.
 
I believe the toe-in needs to be set from the tires and not having enough toe can cause weird stuff like wandering. I've also heard that bigger tires may need more toe-in. Someone can correct me on that part though if I'm wrong.
 
My stock 89 does the same thing.. swapping the box out in the next couple weeks to see if that helps. Alignment is good, frame is straight and crack free, new steering stabilizer, tre's are good, and the drag link is new.

I determined it's not returning to center on it's own. Below 15-20mph it's okay but above that it can be hairy.
 
Delayed response can be caused by several things, bad draglink ends, tie rod ends, loose steering box, cracked frame at steering box, bad or misadjusted steering box, or a bad rag joint. The easiest and cheapest repair would be the rag joint.
 
With an 1/8 in toe in at the rotors will be a lot more at the front of the tires. Set the toe in at the OD of the tires.
Tarey
 
thanks guys, i have been told to set my toe from the outside of the tires, so i will check that today. The frame is crack free, but i will check the bolts to make sure everything is tight. The rag joint is brand new when i switch over to the 2wd box, so i dont think that could have gone south yet, but i will check it out.
 
jonathon said:
My stock 89 does the same thing.. swapping the box out in the next couple weeks to see if that helps. Alignment is good, frame is straight and crack free, new steering stabilizer, tre's are good, and the drag link is new.

I determined it's not returning to center on it's own. Below 15-20mph it's okay but above that it can be hairy.
Click to expand...

Before you buy and replace the steering box. Jack up your truck and check the ball joints.
 
Thunder said:
Before you buy and replace the steering box. Jack up your truck and check the ball joints.
Click to expand...

Just did those too :wink1: That was my first guess when I bought the truck.. the truck has 250k on it at the minimum, but has a newer trans and engine.

I'm going to try a used box first since they are pretty cheap. The rag joint is solid.
 
Right now i have a dana 60 up front with 1.5x8 rock logic ram assist.
Click to expand...

not anymore apparently.

Edit: My bad, I got confused with the two different posters.
 
Last edited:
Double check the steering arm nuts are tight. i had mine loosen off on the trip the BB 03. Had spooky delayed response to steering input that got worse as we got close to Moab. Everything we checked looked good...and the steering arm nuts were the only thing we didn't check. Our first wheeling day we did Lower Hell and watched some guys do Upper. On our way out through the wash I tried to turn to make a corner, truck didn't turn near fast enough and I hit a rock with the drivers front tire. Whhels turned all the way left, steering wheel went all the way right.

I sheared off three out of the four steering arm studs. Got it fixed the next morning and damned if it didn't steer like a dream with a very secure steering arm! :rolleyes:

Any component that is loose will absorb steering input causing that weird delay. Have a seat in front of the truck and have someone saw the wheel lock to lock as you watch each and every component for movement.

Rene
 
thanks for the help guys. I went ahead and checked bolts again, and i found some loose ones like you mentioned in the steering arm, and two in the steering box. Its amazing how much of a difference it makes when everything is tight. Now i just have to get my castor dialed in, check toe-in and build a trac-bar/steering box support, and the steering should be good to go. Thanks again for all the help.
 
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