steering question

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Aug 27, 2002 | 09:46 PM

Torque1st

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steering question

Sep 8, 2002 | 08:18 AM

jbulson

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From: Farmington MN U. S. A.

steering question

I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas on why my steering doesnt respond back....If you are confused, this is what i mean.When i take a corner in any other vehicle, after I crank the wheel and am ready to come out of the turn, the steering wheel comes back by itself.. When im in my 4x4 it doesnt. Why is this? Like i said, ANY other vehidle i drive does...this is an updated steering sys. from a 78 in a 76 f-250 4x4. all my front end parts are fairly new and are not loose.. So what the heck is going on?
I cant say that my steering ever did come back on its own, but I havent had this truck very long either. Thanks for all the help

Sep 8, 2002 | 11:29 AM

LxMan1

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From: Louisville,Ky.

steering question

I don't know exactly, but it sounds loke a caster problem to me.

Sep 8, 2002 | 01:58 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

steering question

Second the vote for not enough caster.

Sep 8, 2002 | 07:14 PM

jbulson

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From: Farmington MN U. S. A.

steering question

can someone elaborate on "caster"?

Sep 8, 2002 | 07:46 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

steering question

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Sep-02 AT 08:48 PM (EST)]You have an upper and lower joint that the wheel spins on when you turn the steering. Looking at it from the side, you would think these joints are vertically aligned or "plumb". They are not. The top joint is more rearward of the truck than the lower joint. If you draw a vertical line through the two joints, you will find the line is not plumb, but angled and this angle is the caster angle. It's usually not much, maybe about 5 degrees or so, but it is enough to where the tire does not spin on it's center, but at an angle. If you think about it, when the steering is turned, you would actually be lifting the weight of the front end a little. When you let go of the steering, the weight of the truck will want to push the tire back in it's straight ahead position. This is why you can have too much of a good thing. Too much caster gives a confident centered highway feel, but makes the steering murder in a parking lot.