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steering too light-74 Blazer
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I've completely restored my '74 K5 including all new suspension components and new power steering box. I've also had it aligned and installed new radial tires (more street radial than off-road). It seems a little "darty" on the road and the steering effort seems too easy. It's not dangerous or anything like that but you have to pay attention to keep her on the straight and narrow. I know it's not going to drive like my newer Z71 but is there a way to firm up the steering ? Or? to make it more driveable? Thanks
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
Maybe the steering box wasn't rebuilt correctly? Hello from Chester!
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
No, the new trucks steer too heavy.
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
When I had new tires put on my c30 it was like that....it would jump all over the road.....talked to the tire man and he said drop the air pressure in the front tires.....I think they had 65psi in them ...I dropped to 50 and it helped a bunch....
Very nice 5 you have!!..... |
Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
Could be the new steering box is more responsive then the old one.
Could be you just got used to a worn suspension and a fresh new one seems strange. |
Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
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My 77 feels the same it seems to steer way to easy. I wish it was a little stiffer |
Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
Steering box needs to be tightened
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
I agree with the above about the tire pressure as you first check as far as the wandering. My 31x10.50s I ran typically about 32 lbs for most day to day things. To me the squares always had a light feel compared to the GMT400 and newer trucks, as well as the older ones. That power steering is super easy to move.
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
Old PS is basically one finger steering as designed. If the toe is off it will make it dart much like described. I think the recomendation is to have slight toe in.
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
Mine was like that on the highway. Turned out they aligned it with 0° caster. Did they give you a printout of what the specs were after alignment?
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
If these links work they might explain how to correct your problem.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-quick.953042/ http://jeffd.50megs.com/Pump_valve_mod_page.htm http://www.gmtruckcentral.com/articl...rsteeringmods/ |
Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
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Very easy fix. Go to Speedway website and order their pump flow control valve, don't have the part # handy. Stock pump puts out 3 gpm, replacement valve is 2.5 gpm I believe. Make sure to also get the o-ring to flare fitting adaptor. All in costs around $20, change it in 10 minutes.
I did this swap on my 75 Jimmy and steering feel is like my Duramax. Also did my 70 Chevelle and a few other 70's in my fleet and am more than impressed with how such a simple fix this is. That 3 gpm factory flow rate was there to produce that 1 finger steering feel, which today feels way too light compared to modern vehicles. Speedway sells these for the circle track crowd. Post back after you do the swap, curious if you have similar results. |
Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
is there a solution to the guys running LS style power steering pumps? I used the original valve from my 79 pump in the 2006 pump to keep the inverted flare style fitting. My steering is really light and darty
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
For those that think the 70's era squares have too light a PS touch, don't even think about getting in a 60's era car with PS. When I still had my 68 Impala and my dad owned my current 75 C10, I always thought the 75 had heavy steering. Sometimes wondered if there was something wrong with the PS in the 75 it was so much harder to turn.
Had just the opposite view of the brakes. Truck has PB, Impala had manual. Had more then one tire squealing stop in the truck because of that. |
Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
You said you did an alignment,good. What were the caster readings? Too little caster can cause the light steering effect. You would have positive caster. You can increase the steering resistance by putting in some caster wedges on the axle. I had the same thing on my K20 after a 4" lift,it felt like I was herding chickens and I had to pay way too much attention to my steering as it felt too light. So try adding a few degrees of caster w/wedges. Not an easy job but it worked.
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
Great to see all of these solutions. Seems that it's a good idea to optimize tire pressure to get the full contact patch regardless. And checking in on the alignment specs. I haven't read the links yet but I plan to check them out.
I'm curious about using a larger pulley. Either one specifically for under-driving the PS or if there is one from a different factory application that would work. Totally unrelated and maybe a little silly but this is my post 777 and I grew up in Boeing town. My first job out of college was on a factory expansion for that plane. |
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this is the one i ordered, looked like the only option for use with original style flared hose ends. All the others have a 6an fitting Here's the adapter https://www.speedwaymotors.com/O-Rin...ter,24682.html |
Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
Question how would this mod work with hydroboost?
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Re: steering too light-74 Blazer
Zachary...I would think with hydroboost you would need to regulate between the boost and the steering box....I'm not 100% sure bout this...I'd have to do some more reseach...
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