Steering pull at Highway speeds - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Otsa580 · 07-23-2009, 06:54 PM

I am preparing my 69 blazer for a 4 hour drive to my new house. It has been sitting for a while now and I need to do some work to make sure it will be safe to drive. I remember that there was a lot of play in the steering going 60+ mph. I am guessing that it needs an alignment and maybe new tires. Its a 4 wheel drive with 31 inch tires.

Anyone have any ideas on common parts that need replacing or worked on.

I might trailer it home but I think it would be a lot more fun to drive!

robs71k5 · 07-23-2009, 07:19 PM

Ball joints can .I just replaced mine for the same reason .

vtblazer · 07-24-2009, 06:21 AM

As mentioned above, plus bad tie rod ends will add to that loose front end feeling.

Take it to a shop and have it checked out and/or repaired correctly, then have your fun driving it home safely.

cparman · 07-24-2009, 06:45 AM

pulls at highway speed? Like others have suggested, you need to have someone make sure the front suspension is as it should be. I would also tell you that if while driving your Blazer on a fairly flat road at most any speed and you let go of the steering wheel, and the Blazer drifts right or left on it own you may have a radial tire pull. Swap the front tires from side to side, and see if the pull changes direction, or goes away. If it does you have a tire problem as well as a loose part in the front end.

Long Roof · 07-25-2009, 10:37 AM

Just remember if the pull is minor it might just be the wide tires following the grooves in the road surface. Both my 96 Impala and my Jimmy kind of wonder about because of the wide tires. Granted its not terrible but I am always contending with a slight pull at highway speeds. Slight pull could also be caused by driving a virtual brick through any sort of wind.

Certainly if you feel the suspension is sloppy follow the others advice.

07-23-2009, 06:54 PM	#1
Otsa580 I Love Rusty Chevys Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 617	Steering pull at Highway speeds I am preparing my 69 blazer for a 4 hour drive to my new house. It has been sitting for a while now and I need to do some work to make sure it will be safe to drive. I remember that there was a lot of play in the steering going 60+ mph. I am guessing that it needs an alignment and maybe new tires. Its a 4 wheel drive with 31 inch tires. Anyone have any ideas on common parts that need replacing or worked on. I might trailer it home but I think it would be a lot more fun to drive! Attached Images

07-23-2009, 07:19 PM	#2
robs71k5 K5drive Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: burnaby BC Canada Posts: 815	Re: Steering pull at Highway speeds Ball joints can .I just replaced mine for the same reason . Last edited by robs71k5; 07-23-2009 at 07:20 PM.

07-24-2009, 06:21 AM	#3
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Re: Steering pull at Highway speeds As mentioned above, plus bad tie rod ends will add to that loose front end feeling. Take it to a shop and have it checked out and/or repaired correctly, then have your fun driving it home safely. Last edited by vtblazer; 07-24-2009 at 06:22 AM.

07-24-2009, 06:45 AM	#4
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: Steering pull at Highway speeds pulls at highway speed? Like others have suggested, you need to have someone make sure the front suspension is as it should be. I would also tell you that if while driving your Blazer on a fairly flat road at most any speed and you let go of the steering wheel, and the Blazer drifts right or left on it own you may have a radial tire pull. Swap the front tires from side to side, and see if the pull changes direction, or goes away. If it does you have a tire problem as well as a loose part in the front end.

07-25-2009, 10:37 AM	#5
Long Roof Old School, New Style Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroeville, Ohio Posts: 790	Re: Steering pull at Highway speeds Just remember if the pull is minor it might just be the wide tires following the grooves in the road surface. Both my 96 Impala and my Jimmy kind of wonder about because of the wide tires. Granted its not terrible but I am always contending with a slight pull at highway speeds. Slight pull could also be caused by driving a virtual brick through any sort of wind. Certainly if you feel the suspension is sloppy follow the others advice. __________________ The Good: - 72 GMC Jimmy 4x4 - 307 cid / 350 th - 70 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 2wd - 454 cid /400 th - 96 Chevy Impala SS - mainly stock - 98 Chevy Tahoe LT 4x4 - all stock The Bad: - 86 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 4x4 - winter beater The Ugly: - 72 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 2wd - parts truck Last edited by Long Roof; 07-25-2009 at 10:38 AM.



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