What can I do to tighten up steering/handling?

[TBHShane]

First, I know a K5 is never going to handle like a Porshe.

I have a K5 that my 16 yr. old son drives. 4WD, no lift, normal size tires, pretty much stock. It walks back and forth some, and there has been slack in the steering.

Today, we replaced the steering coupler and tie rod ends. Those were noticeably worn, so we started there. Got the alignment adjusted (eyeballed), and it drives straight. There is not much steering slack now, but it still walks back and forth.

What should I be doing next? New stabilizer?

 

[rebelgregory]

There are a number of mods.

Primarily - XJ Steering shaft (search on here), and bolted or welded steering box brace - or both. Speaking of which, check behind your steering box to the frame and look for cracks. Very common.

Less of a difference - poly spring bushings, cross-tied shackles, and other stuff.


But first, I would make sure everything is in proper working order. Check for frame cracks at steering box, look for slop in steering box (steering wheel turns a lot before pitman arm moves), loose u-bolts, worn tie-rods/drag link/ball joints. If there's any slop in this, the mods won't help much.

 

[TBHShane]

Thanks. That's just the info I was looking for. I appreciate it.

 

[rebelgregory]

No problem.

Wheel bearings too, forgot about those.

 

[blazinzuk]

Best way to find loosenes is to look at every joint while someone is turning the wheel. Have them turn it back and forth very quickly just jogging it left and right. Then lock to lock do this several times looking individually at every component. Use of a flashlight is highly recommended. Like I said you have to do this with every single steering component. Plus you really need to look at every bushing on the leaf springs and sway bar do this and you will come up with a pretty good idea of how to tighten it up and remember its not only not going to handle like a Porsche its not going to handle even close to anything modern

 

[rezsst]

Your going in the right direction, keep removing the slop. Check ball joints, bearings, bushings. Anything more than a 1/16" should be replaced. Have someone sit in truck running and move the stirring left n right aggressively check for slop. Jack up a tire under axle, check again. Place a pry bar under tire, use leverage like a block up n down to check ball joint. Check the drag link too.

 

[TBHShane]

We did replace the steering coupler (rag joint) today, and it's much tighter than the old one that was worn out. Would the Jeep shaft with the U-joints be tighter than the Chevy one with a new rag joint?

 

[rebelgregory]

Yes. Massive difference. Even more so if the damper is welded up in the XJ shaft. This is a lot of people's top mod as far as ease of install vs. noticeable difference.

 

[nvrenuf]

Yes. Massive difference. Even more so if the damper is welded up in the XJ shaft. This is a lot of people's top mod as far as ease of install vs. noticeable difference.

I agree. The XJ shaft made the biggest difference in tightening up the steering on m K5. I built the truck from the frame up with new bushings and all new crossover first and it felt great, later I did the XJ shaft swap - WOW!

 

[Stomis]

And once you realize the stock steering isnt so great no matter how in shape it is theres always crossover

BTW theres no reason to "eyeball" alignment on one of these trucks. It can be simply set 100% properly with a tape measure and $10 angle finder. Should be 1/8 - 1/4 of toe in and 5-7* caster.

 

[Fred_M1010]

BTW theres no reason to "eyeball" alignment on one of these trucks. It can be simply set 100% properly with a tape measure and $10 angle finder. Should be 1/8 - 1/4 of toe in and 5-7* caster.

x2

I'd properly check toe-in before anything else.
You can have the tightest steering in the world, but it will still wander if you have toe-out.

 

[K85 Octane]

remember its not only not going to handle like a Porsche its not going to handle even close to anything modern

lol
I'd have to say my Blazer drives straighter and needs less effort to keep in the lane than my 2001 S10 and Father's lifted 2006 CCLB

 

[badmix]

The XJ shaft will always out perform a ragjoint, its literally a 10minute mod and you can get good used one from U-pull for 5-10bux.

Like mentioned,

1) XJ shaft mod.

2) Wheel bearings

3) Ball joints and King pins

4)Suspension parts (bushings, worn shocks, missing bolts)

5) Check any of the suspension parts that attach to the frame, there are alot of RIVOTS that will actually come loose, so if you have a spring mount, rivoted to the frame, check the rivots.

6) Properly inflated tires will do wonders as well.

7) Check steering components, tie rod, drag link, anything that moves and/or has adjustment

 

[ccarley]

When I pulled off my old shackles, I had found they were worn. Worn? Yes, worn. The holes in the shackles were oval!

Replacing them with new HD ones from ORD helped a lot with the wander. Just one more thing to check...

 

[brian wafer]

steering box if you have alot off milage,they can be adjusted.