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07-29-2021, 10:35 AM | #1 |
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Steering arm curls...
The fact that folks are driving TF trucks with stock steering arms 60+ years after they were made is a testament to their durability. But I've said before that the 1/2 ton truck arms are part of the reason why folks often complain about the steering on a solid axle equipped truck, even if the truck has many new or upgraded steering and suspension parts. So I took a few minutes last night to capture the stock steering system in action. I started with the wheels straight ahead then turned the steering wheel until the steering knuckle hit the stop. Then I continued to apply and release pressure at the wheel.
I'm wondering if anyone else sees the issue I'm seeing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlk6fzx_GDc |
07-29-2021, 11:39 AM | #2 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
That's interesting to see the flex on that arm and the drag link kind of twisting too. Not sure if the flex is designed in or not. I think a lot of people complaining about driving these old trucks and their steering are used to more modern/easier steering. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in and answer.
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07-29-2021, 12:33 PM | #3 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
It does flex a bit but most of the movement appears to be in the worn end of the drag link.
Who ever was turning the wheel was also pushing against the stops pretty hard but driving down the road the flexing may actually dampen the jolts from the tire to the steering wheel. I've never seen a broken AD or TF steering arm in 48 years of owning these trucks and looking at a lot of them in wrecking yards hunting for parts. I know from my own experience that the axles will bend back to the frame rail and not break.
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Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
07-29-2021, 06:54 PM | #4 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
You know the old joke, "Doc, it hurts when I do this," and the Doc replies, "Then don't do that."
In this case the Doc says "Don't turn the wheel while standing still."
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1951 Chevy Panel Truck |
07-30-2021, 10:14 AM | #5 | |||||
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Re: Steering arm curls...
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07-30-2021, 11:28 PM | #6 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
Considering these trucks were mostly driving on dirt roads at low speeds and no one was in a big hurry and on non radial tires back in the day it’s no wonder they weren’t precise.
Even highway driving was at lower speeds . That was one of the reasons I liked driving my ‘56 , it made one slow down and herd the truck down the road .
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Glen & Jane's Rides ‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008 7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers '56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020 ’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020 My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275 |
08-03-2021, 12:20 AM | #7 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
I like that "herd" comment. when teaching junior drivers to operate a fire truck (same style solid axle stuff) I would tell them to pick a point far down the road and drive in that direction. don't concentrate on the area 5 ft in front of the grille because you will constantly be correcting. stay between the lines but average it out. there will be some drift due to play in steering components and the generally how the road is crowned, cracks the tires want to follow etc. pay attention to the steering wheel feedback and do your best to counter that as required.
nowadays I drive a newer chevy with electric assist. I swear the old solid axle was easier to predict. if you take your eyes off the road for a sec you are in the next lane. we have come a long way, haven't we? |
08-03-2021, 12:23 AM | #8 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
G&R, thats a nice looking truck. I may trade in the tail lights personally, but that's just me. I would likely cut in some LED trailer lights into that awesome rear bumper.
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07-26-2023, 04:08 PM | #9 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
Update: I have installed 3/4 ton arms in my 1/2 ton truck. They're a bolt on swap. I did end up getting ball stud adapters so I could reuse my tie-rod. And I had to adjust the toe at least 3/8" to account for the new steering arms.
I believe these arms make a noticeable difference. They are stronger and require more force to flex, so the driver will be more aware when the road providing steering input. Pictures of the arms, 1/2 ton next to 3/4 ton, are attached. It's clear that 1/2 ton arms are not built to be as robust as 3/4 ton arms. Next step is to work on rebuilding the stock steering box. |
07-26-2023, 04:27 PM | #10 | |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
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07-26-2023, 05:42 PM | #11 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
Am I looking at it wrong or was it cracked for a while? I'm looking at the rustier spots in what appears to be the crack. Scary either way.
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07-26-2023, 06:00 PM | #12 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
That was just surface rust. It was solid up to date it broke and he did a lot of parking lot turning that day. I don’t think it would have snapped rolling down road as they don’t get near the pressure of turning non moving wheels. I actually had it welded back together to get me steering around the yard while I found a replacement. Myself and my welder both noticed that the spot it broke did have a difference in material structure at that point like something was in the mix when cast. Like MR48 said he has never seen one broken me either until now and the shop guys I have worked with in past haven’t either. One of those really odd things.
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07-26-2023, 08:35 PM | #13 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
I'm with Mick53 on that. It looks like it was cracked for a while to begin with and then abused to the point that it broke.
I've got the feeling that your son is one of those guys who can tear up steel balls with a rubber hammer in the middle of a sandpile. I forgot how many times i rebuilt the steering box on my next door neighbor's forklift steering box beause his workers would force the wheel to turn when it ran out of power steering fluid rather than go get the can of fluid and fill it. That included two of them pulling on the wheel to get it to turn at the same time and crushing the ball bearings. Guys who abuse and tear stuff up never seem to learn and just tear more stuff up.
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Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
07-26-2023, 09:26 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: Apr 2017
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Re: Steering arm curls...
Well sort of teens have learning experiences. He only tore up one set of tire. When he had to buy the next set. Let’s just say we got a whole lot more miles out of them. Having a few major failures on that truck taught him a lot. Now 7 years later he just fixed a flat on a plow disc in middle of field in 30 min and that included a trip to tire store. That and his employer only allows him to run the T8 because he is the only one who hasn’t tore it up and knows to shut it down when he hears a funny noise. That and a truck with bump steer kept his speed down.
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07-28-2023, 12:34 PM | #15 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
I have seen mention of this steering arm flex before. Don't know if I have ever heard about one actually breaking tho. But this sparks my curiosity and interest about the 3/4 ton steering arm. Sounds like it is a bolt in swap, at least on the spindle/backing plate. What differences are there that caused you to need to adjust the toe? Do you still get the same full turn lock to lock without interferences?
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07-28-2023, 03:15 PM | #16 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
If I remember right the 1/2t & 3/4t arms have different bolt hole spacing on the spindle so they dont interchange.
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12-01-2023, 02:52 PM | #17 | |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
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12-01-2023, 07:05 PM | #18 |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
To the OP: What size tires and wheels are you running? When you are running ones wider than stock you're actually trying to lift the whole front end when turning due to the increase offset from the kingpin (scrub radius?). Similar to a go-kart when you turn full cock.
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12-02-2023, 11:48 PM | #19 | |
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Re: Steering arm curls...
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