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steering wheel not going back to center.

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otisringle

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I have a 1990 Blazer. Stock everything with 32-11.50 tires.
WhenI take turns the steering wheel is not going back to center as easily as it used to. Why is this and what now do I have to fix?

I do remeber reading that this happend to someone, but I think they had a busted hose or something, I dont think this is my case...
 
Adjust the drag link. Thats the problem.
 
naw no cracks... I dont think 32's could really cause those, but who knows..

Drag link aye! How would I go about adjusting it?

Could flushing the power steering system at all help? I have my doubts on it but would it help at all...
 
otisringle said:
naw no cracks... I dont think 32's could really cause those, but who knows..

Drag link aye! How would I go about adjusting it?

Could flushing the power steering system at all help? I have my doubts on it but would it help at all...
Click to expand...
You will see two clamps on the adjusting sleeve on the DL. Loosen the two nuts on the clamps just enough to relieve the tension on the sleeve. Don't remove them. Spray PB or WD40 in the slit to lube the threads. Use a screwdriver in the slit to try and turn the sleeve. If that don't work, use a pipe wrench over the sleeve and turn it whichever way you need to in order to center the wheel. Once centered, tighten the nuts on the clamps again.

Make sure the wheels are pointing straight and the steering wheel is not locked. You may have to do some driving on a straight street or road to get the wheel where you need it.
 
otisringle said:
I have a 1990 Blazer. Stock everything with 32-11.50 tires.
WhenI take turns the steering wheel is not going back to center as easily as it used to. Why is this and what now do I have to fix?

I do remeber reading that this happend to someone, but I think they had a busted hose or something, I dont think this is my case...
Click to expand...

Well, if it was OFF-center, the draglink could be adjusted.

If the center, when it gets there, is correct, DON'T adjust the draglink.

Could be the box is getting worn, could be lack of pressure. Check for leaks or bulging hoses; also check fluid level, of course.

The box has an adjustment for tightness of feel, but I am leery of bringing it up as I am more suspicious you have other problems.

Check drag link and tie rod ends for slop, too?

-- A
 
I'm not 100% sure what condition you may have.

If the steering is simply not returning to center quickly/easy than the hydraulic portion of the power steering really has nothing to do with it. The alignment of the front end is what causes return to center, not hydraulic pressure.

Have you changed the tires or anything in the suspension since these issues has started?
 
The wheel goes back to center when I put it there. After taking a turn normaly the wheel will move to center right away. But not any more!

I got a new drag link about a year ago. So I dont think that is the case. Im gonna cheak for bulges in the hoses and the fluid level again. I did crash the truck last winter pretty good. The frame horns were tweaked but the shop supposedly fixed all that. I think the crash messed up more then I am aware of because the truck seems like its driving worse and wosre, or its just finally showing its age.

Gonna cheak for the slop in the tie rod ends and what not. Thanks for you help.
 
Could be binding ball joints, too. With no steering parts attached and the wheel in the air, it shouldn't take any more than 25lbs of force to turn the knuckle from side to side.
Less is ok but any more points to bad ball joints.
 
otisringle said:
The wheel goes back to center when I put it there. After taking a turn normally the wheel will move to center right away. But not any more!
I did crash the truck last winter pretty good. I think the crash messed up more then I am aware of because the truck seems like its driving worse and worse, or its just finally showing its age.
Click to expand...


As has been mentioned.... Check the frame around where the steering box bolts to it very carefully. I would be willing to bet you have a cracked frame. Its a very common problem for GM trucks even at stock height and small tires.
 
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