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Old 10-17-2005, 05:16 PM   #1
RunTMCfan
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Sloppy Stearing

I have a pretty clean 72K5 but the stearing is pretty sloppy. My 74' 3/4 ton 4x4 stears like a dream cause the original owner rebuilt all of it. I am not interensted in rebuilding my entire front end. I am looking for few tips on getting a nice crisp stearing blazer though.

Thanks in advance.

Rob
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Old 10-17-2005, 05:33 PM   #2
LUV2XCLR8
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

Mines completely rebuilt also, sorry I can't help, but someone else will jump in soon
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Old 10-17-2005, 06:34 PM   #3
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

Not real complicated front tends on these trucks.

Take the time and check over each part on it's own.
The culprit(s) will soon show itself.

Possibly even your steering box.
That can also be tightened up.

Invest some time and effort, you shouldn't need to rebuild the entire front end.

Welcome to the board, enjoy.

Last edited by vtblazer; 10-17-2005 at 06:35 PM.
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Old 10-17-2005, 06:39 PM   #4
bouncytruck
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

How does the rag joint look. Check your ball joints, tie rod ends, alignment, etc. Is the truck lifted? If so, does it have a lifted steering arm and/or a drop pitman?
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Old 10-17-2005, 11:35 PM   #5
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

Screw it I'll just rebuild it!!! Just kidding but sometimes that's my attitude. I'd rather just know sometimes that everything will hold up. You know after 30 years I bet the front end could use a rebuild...

Rob
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Old 10-18-2005, 12:27 AM   #6
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

If you can afford it, it won't be money wasted.
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Old 10-18-2005, 03:05 PM   #7
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

Sometimes if you are going from a truck with a longer wheelbase to a blazer it may feel like the steering is a little sloppy, especially if you are lifted. I know that mine felt like that and I went from a 76 1/2 ton shordbed chevy to a 72 lifted blazer and the front end has already been pretty much rebuilt. I live in Paradise Hills if you want to check mine out for comparison.
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Old 10-28-2005, 10:48 AM   #8
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

Where could I find a new steering arm for a lifted truck? I assume you mean the pittman arm? The PO of my 71 K5 lifted the body 3 inches, but didn't change the arm.
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Old 10-28-2005, 11:04 AM   #9
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

A body lift wouldn't need a pittman arm. Go under the Blazer and have some one in the drivers seat turning the wheel 1/2 turn both ways and look for the play. I did this and found my steering box was loose from the frame
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Old 10-28-2005, 11:52 AM   #10
bouncytruck
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

Ditch the body lift and get a suspension lift.

You can buy steering arms for trucks with 4-6" of lift. There are also drop pitman arms, but I'm not sure what amount of lift they fit. Here is a steering arm from SUPERLIFT

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Last edited by bouncytruck; 10-28-2005 at 11:53 AM.
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Old 10-28-2005, 12:33 PM   #11
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Re: Sloppy Stearing

I guess that's not my problem, then. I had a friend turn the wheel while I looked around underneath a while back. I noticed the u-bolts holding the axle to the leafs on the driver's side were loose. that cured a hell of a lot of play. The blazer is fine when going straight, but when you first turn the wheel to either side, it doesn't have much effect. I thought maybe that was because of the lift. By the way, what is "bump steer"?

I do want to get rid of the body lift. Could I keep it at stock height with 33" tires on 10" rims?
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