after bushings replaced, front still shaky

[greg0380]

I replaced upper and lower control arm bushings, new balljoints and outer tie rod ends, new front rotors. After having an alignment I really expected things to tighten up in the front end. There is definitely an improvement but it still vibrates. This is my first front end experience, are there things to check that I could have missed. I did all the work myself and things went smoothly. I used GM rubber bushings. When putting stuff back together, I didnt notice any specifications as to how to position parts, except the lower contol arms have the small pins that the bar fits into to...

It just doesnt seem to roll smoothly, I plan to replace more sterring components like the pitman and idler arm and inner tie rods, but they don't appear teribly bad as it is. What else can i check? would the steering parts cause the steering wheel to shake and seem unpredictable....

[XXL]

Bent Pitman, idler arm, or center link, loose steering gearbox, bad tire(s), bad shock(s), tire pressure, crummy road. Can you describe the "feel" in a little more detail?

[greg0380]

The steering doesn't track straight very well. The steering wheel vibrates but NOT in a way that an unbalanced wheel would cause. It is very sensitive to road imperfections. I guess a good word would be that the steering is very light or loose. I have had the truck for 7 years and it used to drive with more of a heavier feel. Sorry, but its difficult ot describe.....

Any pointers on how to test pitman, idler or centerlinks while they are still on the car...

[greg0380]

oh yeah, i adjusted the steering gear with the screw on the top just alittle bit, seemed to help slightly...

[XXL]

Originally Posted by greg0380

oh yeah, i adjusted the steering gear with the screw on the top just alittle bit, seemed to help slightly...

This is a bit shadetree, but you might keep tightening down the steering gearbox screw until it tightens up realllly well. If it takes a lot to get it there, you may need to rebuild/replace the gearbox. You can check idler and Pitman by putting a pry bar under them and giving them a little tug. "Excessive" movement is bad... hard part is determining what constitutes excessive. I had a bent center link a few years ago... no way to really tell its bent unless it's obviously damaged or banged up on the leading edge. I only found the problem after doing what you're doing... swapping everything else out Sad thing is that the center link wasn't (isn't??) being made by any of the aftermarket suspension suppliers-- Moog, etc. So you've got to find one off a junker... and 71-72 is different than 67-70.