Is this Right?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Ashton84W

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Posts
116
Reaction score
50
Location
Georgia
First Name
Ashton
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
So when I bought my truck, my steering was perfectly fine. I decided to go and have a little bit of fun and do some doughnuts in the dirt. It was fun but as I was pulling out, my steering suddenly got really hard and stiff. It felt like I had no power steering! With the passing of time it got better, I was able to turn the wheel easily while driving but when braking it becomes stiff and I can't turn the wheel at all at a standstill. I think it could possibly be the steering box but not completely 100% positive. Well had parked with my wheel turned and almost flipped out. It's like the camber of something on the steering is totally screwed up. Anybody know what's up or is this normal. I have a 4inch lift on 35 A/T. Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • Truck Camber.jpg
    Truck Camber.jpg
    98 KB · Views: 88
  • Truck Camber 2.jpg
    Truck Camber 2.jpg
    99.7 KB · Views: 80

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,805
Reaction score
9,724
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
I'd check the belt tension and leave the donuts for the Camaro...

(even if you gotta do em in the dirt!)
 

theblindchicken

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2013
Posts
1,518
Reaction score
265
Location
SoCal
First Name
Christian
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
K10 5" lift + 2" BL
Engine Size
350-4, 0.030" over
Check the power steering pump first. May have blown the belt on it.

After that, check the balljoints on the axle ends and the wheel bearings.
 

VAL

Full Access Member
Joined
May 29, 2012
Posts
893
Reaction score
55
Location
TUCSON, ARIZONA
First Name
VAL
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10 SILVERADO
Engine Size
5.7
Ball joint.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,203
Reaction score
24,314
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
When doing the donuts, were you holding the wheel all the way to lock? That puts a lot of stress on the pump.

And trucks can do donuts just like Camaros, lol.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,203
Reaction score
24,314
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
And camber when the wheel is turned is normal.
 

Ashton84W

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Posts
116
Reaction score
50
Location
Georgia
First Name
Ashton
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
When doing the donuts, were you holding the wheel all the way to lock? That puts a lot of stress on the pump.

And trucks can do donuts just like Camaros, lol.

As a matter of fact I was. The pump used to squeal when turned lock to lock while drive but after all the fun it no longer squeals but maybe once or twice in a blue moon. I wouldn't know how to check to see if it's the pump though. I'll do some research. And yes, in the absence of a Camaro-1989 Camaro I-Roc Z28 with the 5.7 l89 350- to be exact, trucks will suffice for said doughnuts.:party36:
 

Ashton84W

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Posts
116
Reaction score
50
Location
Georgia
First Name
Ashton
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Check the power steering pump first. May have blown the belt on it.

After that, check the balljoints on the axle ends and the wheel bearings.

The belt is good, brand new as a matter of fact. Idk bout the ball joints and wheel bearings but I'll make sure to take a look.
 

yevgenievich

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Posts
4,794
Reaction score
3,332
Location
Texas
First Name
Viktor
Truck Year
sad
Truck Model
very sad
Engine Size
less sad
Camber looks fine as it will change during turning due to large caster that these trucks have. Check power steering pump to be turning while someome else tries yo turn the steering wheel at idle.
 

Ashton84W

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Posts
116
Reaction score
50
Location
Georgia
First Name
Ashton
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Camber looks fine as it will change during turning due to large caster that these trucks have. Check power steering pump to be turning while someome else tries yo turn the steering wheel at idle.

I've never had a square before so I guess it could be right. It just looks a little to exaggerated to me but that's just me. I can't turn the wheel what so ever unless if I'm under power and cruising. With the truck at idle and not rolling, the steering wheel will not turn at all. I'd have to jack it up to do that. And my power steering pump does turn over, there's no slipping at all due to the water pump I just had to replace so I had readjusted the tensions. Maybe it finally just said screw it. I just don't want to buy a pump and it be the steering box or vise versa.
 

crazy4offroad

Equal Opportunity Destroyer
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
8,468
Reaction score
1,070
Location
West BY-GOD Virginia
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K-10
Engine Size
350/SM465/NP205
Sounds like the pump was on it's way out and now it's toast.
 

Mr Clean

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 18, 2010
Posts
9,884
Reaction score
8,614
Location
North East Texas
First Name
Shawn
Truck Year
1982 & 1985
Truck Model
K10 Extra Cab w/ Proper SWB, & 85 K5 Blazer
Engine Size
454 BBC, & 383 Stroker
Sounds like pump to me also. You can check bearings by jacking the front end up so the tires clear the ground, and see if you get side to side, or up and down movement when you grab the tire.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,322
Posts
913,648
Members
33,821
Latest member
78ALB
Top