crappy steering

[Brainsaw]

Steering is all sticky and binding feeling. Real hard to turn wheel sometimes. It's like when i turn into a parking lot for example, the steering wants to stay in that direction and not go back to center. Any steering experts out there?

 

[88vert]

Hows your power steering fluid lookin

 

[Byrd91]

Mines doing the exact same thing after my pitman arm got changed....

 

[Maniak]

If I remember correctly the caster is what helps get your steering wheel to center again. Assuming there is no binding etc (bad tie end etc) it sounds like the caster is off. Some positive caster is needed to get it to self center.. If you have too much it makes the steering hard, too little (or too much negative caster) and you get that wobbly shopping cart wheel afect.

~Mark

 

[Brainsaw]

steering was fine until i did a 3"body lift.

 

[Maniak]

If it was fine until a body lift then it is the steering shaft. it may be binding on the body (i've heard of it barely fitting throught the hole in the body).. If this is the case juse encrease the size of the hole..

I think i remember reading a thread when they got a different kind of steering shaft.. One that had a CV joint (or equiv) but I dont' remember (and I don't see the thread)

~Mark

 

[Brainsaw]

i noticed the rubber looks cracked on the steering coupler today

 

[Brainsaw]

Well guys I dont know wtf to do man. Should I go to the junkard and obtain a steering unit? I could probably get it, just dont know how labor intensive it'll be. Dont care really, just gotta get the dam thing fixed.

 

[Maniak]

If you coupler is cracked enough to allow it to sag then that "might" be causing the issue.


If so, go to a junkyard and get one that is in better condition than yours. From a dealer your looking at well over $300 (I paid $25 from a yard for mine)...

You can also get a new one made from flaming river. They make custom steering shafts and that would solve everything... They are good at figuring out what you need... but it will still cost $300 or so (I think) for a custom one but then you would have a perfect shaft.

~Mark

 

[Brainsaw]

It is cracked a lil but not enough to make it sag. Whats this about the steering shaft binding on the body? I do hear some binding noise coming from that general area, maybe thats it.

 

[Maniak]

The way I understand it.. When you lift the body you change the angle of the steering shaft as it goes through the body. If you lift it enough the shaft will actually rub against body.. I remember reading about someone who had that problem but I can't remember what they did... I "think" they modified the hole in the firewall but I'm not sure..

~Mark