steering wheel not rotating smooth
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
steering wheel not rotating smooth
I am rebuilding this truck and recently put the steering wheel and joint back together. The PS unit was never disconnected from the gearbox. Now when I try to move the truck the steering is hard and "jumps" as if there is a bind in the linkage. I did put new bushings under the cab as well. Something else I have seen is the plastic cap (dust cover?) at the bottom of the steering column is not staying in place. I'm not sure if it is broken or what haven't looked that hard. I have also seen some fluid passing around the bolts of the gearbox.
How do I know if my problem is the gearbox, the linkage or the steering shaft? Please help I need to get this truck on the road in the next month.
Thanks, Chad
How do I know if my problem is the gearbox, the linkage or the steering shaft? Please help I need to get this truck on the road in the next month.
Thanks, Chad
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 2
From: CT
Box
Chad,
The first thing you should check is the gearbox and dragline. Get a hose and wash off the gear box of all nasty greese and fluids, then take some brake-cleaner and spray it down and wipe it off with a rag. Start the truck, and have a buddy move the steering wheel slowly to the left then to the right as you watch with a flashlight to see if/where its leaking. Make sure the fluid level is full as an empty or low pump will make steering jitter and sluggish.
If its not that feel the steering linkange for unessisary play, more than 10 degrees is excessive. Also watch the linkage, dragline, and tie-rod or unnatrural movements. I'm not too sure what your describing about the dust boot/plate...but I would investigate it more closely....
One final note...check the U-joints in the steering linkage.
The first thing you should check is the gearbox and dragline. Get a hose and wash off the gear box of all nasty greese and fluids, then take some brake-cleaner and spray it down and wipe it off with a rag. Start the truck, and have a buddy move the steering wheel slowly to the left then to the right as you watch with a flashlight to see if/where its leaking. Make sure the fluid level is full as an empty or low pump will make steering jitter and sluggish.
If its not that feel the steering linkange for unessisary play, more than 10 degrees is excessive. Also watch the linkage, dragline, and tie-rod or unnatrural movements. I'm not too sure what your describing about the dust boot/plate...but I would investigate it more closely....
One final note...check the U-joints in the steering linkage.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
everything is clean as the frame was sandblasted and repainted. The drivetrain remained in place during this. The rag joint is good. The U joint felt ok before I reinstalled it, but that may be my bind, not sure. The "joint" (metal rod connecting column to gearbox), how straight should this part be?
The dust cover item I am talking about is the plastic part that is inserted in the bottom of the column shaft.
The dust cover item I am talking about is the plastic part that is inserted in the bottom of the column shaft.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 2
From: CT
Chad,
If what you mean is should it be straight, yes it should it shouldn't be bent as that will cause uneven rotation. I wish I knew what year your truck was so that I could have a better picture of what your dealing with, though most steering linkages are the same...Now are you talking about how much of an angle should the bend be at the U-joint? I'd say it shouldn't be any more than 35 degrees because after that the knuckles of the U-joint will hit each other causing the linkage to hang up. If you could post a picture of your linkage. Make sure there aren't any brake lines, or wires in the way of the linkage that might also be hanging up on the truck. By chance are you doing a frame up retoration on this truck? If so theres always the posibility something isn't bolted down all the way or the right way.
If what you mean is should it be straight, yes it should it shouldn't be bent as that will cause uneven rotation. I wish I knew what year your truck was so that I could have a better picture of what your dealing with, though most steering linkages are the same...Now are you talking about how much of an angle should the bend be at the U-joint? I'd say it shouldn't be any more than 35 degrees because after that the knuckles of the U-joint will hit each other causing the linkage to hang up. If you could post a picture of your linkage. Make sure there aren't any brake lines, or wires in the way of the linkage that might also be hanging up on the truck. By chance are you doing a frame up retoration on this truck? If so theres always the posibility something isn't bolted down all the way or the right way.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
I had a similar problem with my 78. Where the u-joint connects to the steering colum coming out of the fire wall, the 2 pieces are splined with a bolt going through one side. Mine was seperating right there and causing the problem you described. Loosen that bolt, loosen your steering under the dash and shove it tolds the dash a little. Tighten everything up and my problem was solved. Hope this helps.
