WANDERING WILLY

[Holey76 - Square Nut]

Hey guys, the ole k5 (1976) has been wandering on the road ALOT. I Replaced tie rods, drag ling etc, then adjusted alignment
Then took it to an alignment shop. The guy said it was good, and couldn't find any reason for wandering
It feels like it's on huge ballons. Tires are 31's and sittin at 45 psi, which has some benefit on wandering, but not much.
Thoughts ?

 

[HankScorpio]

Frame cracks
Steering gear
Rag joint and steering shaft

How much lift?
The caster angle checked out ok?

 

[Holey76 - Square Nut]

No lift that im aware of. Rag joint is good. Gear box is so so. Prob could be replaced.
No frame crack at box thankfully.
That kinda leaves the box on the table...

 

[Bent77]

leaf spring bushings
leaf spring and u bolts

 

[HankScorpio]

leaf spring bushings
leaf spring and u bolts

Spring center pin too

 

[joshuak]

Try a lower tire pressure.

 

[CT-BLAZER]

Check your ball joints & steering gear for excess play

 

[K5er4Life]

I agree. Tire pressure can do funny things. After adjusting pressures then check all the other things, frame, bushings, rag joint, etc.

Also keep in mind these are leaf sprung trucks with often old steering boxes and will never feel as straight and tight as a newer vehicle.

 

[Holey76 - Square Nut]

Try a lower tire pressure.

Lower psi makes it worse.

 

[Holey76 - Square Nut]

leaf spring bushings
leaf spring and u bolts

Didn't consider bushings, springs and loose U bolts.
Will have a look

 

[joshuak]

Try a lower tire pressure.

Lower psi makes it worse.

Carrying a lot of weight in that k5? I'd expect 31s to crown with 45psi under an unloaded k5.

https://www.intercotire.com/using_chalk_method_determining_psi

 

[Blue85]

Climb underneath while somebody works the wheel side to side and see what's moving. Put a prybar on every joint, shackle, etc to see what you can move. Everything else is just guessing and throwing parts.

 

[Holey76 - Square Nut]

Carrying a lot of weight in that k5? I'd expect 31s to crown with 45psi under an unloaded k5.

https://www.intercotire.com/using_chalk_method_determining_psi

No, the 45 psi was just a test to see if sidewall flex was an issue. Normally tires are at 35 psi in town.

 

[Blue85]

Did you get the numbers for the alignment? Wondering what the caster angle is.

 

[Holey76 - Square Nut]

Did you get the numbers for the alignment? Wondering what the caster angle is.

No, i did not. Didn't think to ask.
My wander was partially caused by loose bolts on the steering box. The problem still exists, but it's better now.