Steering wheel position changing

[Simbadawg]

Hey everybody,
I am usually a reader and not a poster but my 90 Blazer has decided to get a mind of its own.
my steering wheel center line is changing after making turns. I will go from a correct horizontal Chevy emblem to a Vertical incorrect Chevy emblem. So I come to the panel of experts. Is it alignment or steering box?
Blazer has a 2 inch lift sitting on 33X11.50's

 

[nvrenuf]

Loose parts somewhere, you need to get someone to move the steering wheel while you look for play in the linkage, steering box and the frame at the steering box.

 

[ZooMad75]

Loose parts somewhere, you need to get someone to move the steering wheel while you look for play in the linkage, steering box and the frame at the steering box.

Hit the nail on the head.

I agree it's something loose and the most likely cause is the frame cracking behind the steering box.

 

[Simbadawg]

Whoa don't talk like that. Lets hope its just loose parts. LOL

 

[centexk5]

Fairly common. Mine is cracked. Got the bolt in steering brace from ORD on it right now. Got the weld in that I'm waiting to do when I replace the box and suspension.

 

[sweetk30]

had a set of u-bolts come loose on me years ago on a fresh lift kit job . front end was almost out before i realized it .

like said tho check loose bolts for box to frame and also cracks in the frame . very common problem . this is a good fix and easy to do if the frame is NOT cracked yet . https://www.offroaddesign.com/steering/steering-box-braces-frame-repair.html all my trucks have one .

 

[Simbadawg]

That's one thing I checked when I put the lift on it but I am gonna check it again to make sure. If not I'll be buying a brace to weld in. Gonna do the Jeep XJ steering shaft upgrade anyway.
And possible upgrade the steering box.

 

[sweetk30]

if the frame is not broken do the bolt in brace kit first . it triangulates the area of the frame and spreads out the load to help . and it makes the steering a lot better . my first one i installed i test drove the truck before and after and noticed the firmer feel . and that was with 36" swampers the truck .

 

[ktmoutfront]

If you have a lift on it, do the brace and the plate. Because it will crack at some point in the future.

 

[Simbadawg]

Well good news, the u bolts were loose allowing the front axle to slide. I see an alignment and a brace and plate in my near future.
Thanks everyone for the help
Can anyone suggest a steering box besides Redhead

 

[rampage]

Well good news, the u bolts were loose allowing the front axle to slide. I see an alignment and a brace and plate in my near future.
Thanks everyone for the help
Can anyone suggest a steering box besides Redhead

PSC has steering boxes.

Also as a reminder, when replacing u-bolts you need to check them after 100 miles. And then again, and again and again until they don’t tighten anymore.

 

[sweetk30]

and u-bolts are not ment to be re-used . some people get away with it some dont . i was the in the dont section when my axle about dropped out . and the lift kit u-bolts SUCK in my opinion . get some real ones from a spring shop / or places like ruffstuff specialtys and others . there L&H rod and much better quality . also jump to the 5/8" over the 9/16 for more clamping force .

 

[nvrenuf]

I would look carefully at the leaf spring center pin. Both the axle and ubolt plate have a pocket for the pin to fit in to so unless you had a 1/2” gap from the loose ubolts it shouldn’t be sliding. My money says the the ubolts got loose and the axle movement has sheared the pin.

 

[iblyles]

My K5 had that same issue for years, along with sloppy steering and about 3 inches of play in the wheel. I replaced all the steering components: end links, bushings, wheel bearings, etc... and even a new AGR steering box. Installed an ORD steering brace and fixed some small cracks in the frame. Still had sloppy steering and the change in steering wheel orientation after turning/driving. Finally, I did the XJ steering shaft upgrade to get rid of the GM rag joint and Bam - no slop in the steering! I could never visually see any play in the rag joint, but it was there just the same.
XJ steering shaft upgrade is awesome - my K5 steers straight and smooth now with no wandering and no slop or steering wheel orientation. Good luck and hope this helps. But note - as mentioned above you gotta fix all the worn parts and any frame damage first....

 

[imiceman44]

I would look carefully at the leaf spring center pin. Both the axle and ubolt plate have a pocket for the pin to fit in to so unless you had a 1/2” gap from the loose ubolts it shouldn’t be sliding. My money says the the ubolts got loose and the axle movement has sheared the pin.

Definitely sheared centering pin.
I was reading through before I posted to see who mentioned it.
Been there done that.