1959 GMC 100 truck sways back and forth - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tom moore · 07-06-2005, 11:08 AM

I just acquired a 1959 GMC 100 pickup truck. Steering it is a challenge. It wants to sway/rock back and forth and jumps and sways when I hit a bump. Someone installed a PS unit, new tranny, and 350 V8 in it. Everything is good but the steering is an issue.

What is it? tie rod ends? kinpgpins? I can get it on a lift Saturday and take a good look - but what should I look for? what kind of wear and what is the likely cause of it not tracking straight and swaying?

Bearings are snug and repacked. Thank you for your help looking froward to your help. thanks. tom

p.s. where is a good source for 1959 GMC truck owner manuals, repair manuals with good diagram and step by step instruction etc.

dubie · 07-06-2005, 04:54 PM

the front end may not be able to compensate for the extra weight of the new motor and tranny combo you have there. Is it still a stock front end with the solid axle of has someone installed a newer IFS front clip? Also, what kind of tires are you running?

cadman89 · 07-06-2005, 05:31 PM

Is it the original I beam front end that someone just added the PS box?
Is there any uneven tire wear?

Scott

speedking · 07-08-2005, 02:36 AM

My first move would be to have an alignment tecnician check it out to be sure all the steering geometry is good,and if so,have him "tune it" for best handling. He'd also be able to tell you what it might need as far as shocks,tie rod ends,bushings,that sort of thing. Believe me,it's worth the cost of an alignment check rather than guessing what somebody else left behind for you to deal with.

tom moore · 07-08-2005, 11:36 AM

The tires I have are L.EE radial ply 102s 235 70/R15. Radial G/T Turbo Action

Good shape. Stock front end.
Good idea on the alignment tech!

Tomorrow I have to have State inspection --- at least I will see any front suspension wear on tie rods and kingpins while it's on the lift. Someone told me to set the axle kings back to 7-8 degrees. He had a 57 chevy truck and had the same problems and it was much better after making some shims and doing that. Thoughts?

4 eye guy · 07-08-2005, 06:46 PM

try replacing the bolt that goes thru the leaf spring. The rear one some of the trucks iI have worked on have been hannered pretty hard and were egg shaped. May help fix part but not all.

07-06-2005, 11:08 AM	#1
tom moore Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE Posts: 21	1959 GMC 100 truck sways back and forth I just acquired a 1959 GMC 100 pickup truck. Steering it is a challenge. It wants to sway/rock back and forth and jumps and sways when I hit a bump. Someone installed a PS unit, new tranny, and 350 V8 in it. Everything is good but the steering is an issue. What is it? tie rod ends? kinpgpins? I can get it on a lift Saturday and take a good look - but what should I look for? what kind of wear and what is the likely cause of it not tracking straight and swaying? Bearings are snug and repacked. Thank you for your help looking froward to your help. thanks. tom p.s. where is a good source for 1959 GMC truck owner manuals, repair manuals with good diagram and step by step instruction etc.

07-06-2005, 04:54 PM	#2
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	the front end may not be able to compensate for the extra weight of the new motor and tranny combo you have there. Is it still a stock front end with the solid axle of has someone installed a newer IFS front clip? Also, what kind of tires are you running? __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

07-06-2005, 05:31 PM	#3
cadman89 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 265	Is it the original I beam front end that someone just added the PS box? Is there any uneven tire wear? Scott __________________ 56 GMC 1922 Dodge Rat Roadster 89 Gray Allante 90 Red Allante Turkey Run Photographer http://www.turkeyrun.com/photo_gallery.html

07-08-2005, 02:36 AM	#4
speedking Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Elko,Nevada,USA,Earth Posts: 78	My first move would be to have an alignment tecnician check it out to be sure all the steering geometry is good,and if so,have him "tune it" for best handling. He'd also be able to tell you what it might need as far as shocks,tie rod ends,bushings,that sort of thing. Believe me,it's worth the cost of an alignment check rather than guessing what somebody else left behind for you to deal with. __________________ -57 GMC 1/2 ton longbed,Pont. 400,4 speed -62 Chevy 1 ton duallie,Chevy 355,4 speed -66 Pontiac Catalina 2 dr. hardtop,389,T-400 -81 Ford Fairmont wgn.,2.3,4 speed -68 Triumph TR6-R 'cycle,various mods -66 C-60's back -there's probably others...

07-08-2005, 11:36 AM	#5
tom moore Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE Posts: 21	thanks Dubie, Cadman, Speedking The tires I have are L.EE radial ply 102s 235 70/R15. Radial G/T Turbo Action Good shape. Stock front end. Good idea on the alignment tech! Tomorrow I have to have State inspection --- at least I will see any front suspension wear on tie rods and kingpins while it's on the lift. Someone told me to set the axle kings back to 7-8 degrees. He had a 57 chevy truck and had the same problems and it was much better after making some shims and doing that. Thoughts?

07-08-2005, 06:46 PM	#6
4 eye guy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: boise id Posts: 2	steering problem try replacing the bolt that goes thru the leaf spring. The rear one some of the trucks iI have worked on have been hannered pretty hard and were egg shaped. May help fix part but not all.

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