Steering won't return to center

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Oct 21, 2002 | 08:56 PM

Johnnyfiveoh

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Steering won't return to center

The steering on my '91 is fairly stiff and will not return to center when letting go of the wheel after making a turn.
I've checked the steering linkage and it appears to be in good shape.
The pump sounds a little on the noisy side.
Could this be my steering box?

Oct 21, 2002 | 11:54 PM

Racerguy

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From: BC, Canada

Steering won't return to center

Chances are pretty good that your axle U-joints are seized. One way to tell is to jack the front of the vehicle up, turn the steering full to either side then lock the hubs and try to spin (by hand) the tires. If the U-joints are seized the tires will be very hard to spin, feel notchy etc. If the U-joints are ok the ball joints or tie-rod ends could be seizing. If you disconnect the tie-rods and try to turn the wheels from side to side you will be able to tell if they are seizing.

Oct 22, 2002 | 12:43 AM

Dialtone

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From: South Texas

Steering won't return to center

You did not say if 2WD or 4WD. If 2WD and somebody cranked the steering box adjustment screw down too far trying to take some slop out of the steering, it will cause steering to not return to center when released. I've been there and done that already on a 91 2WD so I speak from experience.
Dialtone

Oct 22, 2002 | 09:43 AM

hoppy

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Steering won't return to center

And if it is 4wd you cannot tell if the u joints are seized unless you know for sure the hubs are locked. The hubs are free wheeling and the front drivetrain does not operate until the transfer case is engaged. Usually if the front u joints are knackered, you will hear a nice loud clunk when turning a corner and it will not centre.

Oct 22, 2002 | 07:47 PM

Johnnyfiveoh

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Steering won't return to center

So the easiest way would be to drive it with the 4wd engaged and turn the wheels on a turn.
If all is smooth then the u-joints should be OK?
I just picked this truck up last week and ironing out some bugs before I put it on the street.
I've never had a 4wd vehicle so a lot of this is new to me.
thanks for all your replies.

Oct 23, 2002 | 12:08 AM

Racerguy

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From: BC, Canada

Steering won't return to center

No if you drive it with it in 4X4 it will bind up unless you're on a slippery surface. You have to have the front wheels off the ground so you can turn them. And yes the front hubs are free wheeling but if the axle U-joints are seized it will still cause problems as they have to be able to move when you turn the steering.

Oct 24, 2002 | 08:06 PM

Johnnyfiveoh

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Steering won't return to center

I had already driven it in 4wd when I test drove it and definitely didn't notice anything drastic. I wonder if something is just stiff, not seized? I'm going to check out the front end this weekend and see if I can find anything wrong.
I probably wouldn't be picking on this normally but I had driven a '92 before I found this one and it had very smooth steering that centered very easily. So going by comparison I know that there is room for improvement on my '91.
Thanks again.