Body roll?

[cleszkie]

Did you ever drive the Blazer with the hydroboost installed but not the lift? If so, was the steering an issue then as well, or just after you installed the lift? If it was an issue with just the hydroboost, I would double check the hydroboost system. The hydroboost unit is first downstream from the power steering pump high pressure output. Exiting the hydroboost unit there is a low pressure return line to the pump, and a high pressure line that goes to the steering box. The steering box is downstream of the hydroboost unit. If your steering box is not getting proper pressure, It could be causing your issues.

[GMC-YA68]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

Did you ever drive the Blazer with the hydroboost installed but not the lift? If so, was the steering an issue then as well, or just after you installed the lift? If it was an issue with just the hydroboost, I would double check the hydroboost system. The hydroboost unit is first downstream from the power steering pump high pressure output. Exiting the hydroboost unit there is a low pressure return line to the pump, and a high pressure line that goes to the steering box. The steering box is downstream of the hydroboost unit. If your steering box is not getting proper pressure, It could be causing your issues.

I did the hydroboost and the lift at the same time so I wouldn't know for sure.

I am fairly certain my hydroboost is installed correctly as well. (Although at this point I wish I wasn't so I could swap some lines around and I'm fixed!)

I think you can see most of my setup between these two pics. For some reason my PS pump does whine, but it also works just fine. I have bled the system and do not see any foaming or air bubbles in the reservoir either.

[cleszkie]

Everything looks to be plumbed right. However, it looks like there could be a restriction in the 90 degree bend in your low pressure line out of the hydroboosts. Scratch this comment if that piece is in fact a molded 90 degree piece.

[Ole Beater]

How much does the steering wheel move before the wheels actually move?

[jhama78]

Another quick way to get a little bit of positive caster would be to add a slightly longer shackle on the front springs.

[GMC-YA68]

Please keep thinking out loud. I still have no fix. The column seems fine. If it is binding, then it's not enough for me to feel anything. What would I be feeling here?

I have not changed the front axle shaft joints. However they are very smooth and not locked up. Is that what you were getting at?

I did take the caster angle when it was at ride height. That's a good thought though. I haven't taken it again since the shims but I just find it odd that it would need more!!

I recently tried to loosen/re-torque the ball joints multiple times to no avail. After that I then re-replaced them with new and no difference either.

[GMC-YA68]

yea that is a 90 degree fitting just like the one going into the gear box. You can see it a little better in these pics... I am not running that brake reservoir so disregard that.

[tomtuna1978]

are your front leave springs installed backwards ?

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by tomtuna1978

are your front leave springs installed backwards ?

Can't be done ! The holes are much larger on the front spring mount.

[tomtuna1978]

Did you try rotating the tires front to back ? I'd try that then if that has no effect I'd rotate them side to side (I've had tires do weird stuff before) ... And then you said your tire press is at 60psi ... I'd drop it down to 30-35psi and see if that helps.

[67Steven]

So did this ever get resolved? Any updates?

[GMC-YA68]

We re-aligned the toe in to about 1/8" and confirmed the ball joints were definitely not binding. I haven't had the chance to put the wheels back on it yet.

I will try to drop the pressure and rotate the wheels and try that as well.

Also been told to try to find a different set of wheels/tires and run those to see if that fixes it. The wheels I got when I bought the truck were rusted, and the tires were dry rotted. I took it straight to the wheel / tire shop and left the old ones there. So if anyone has a set of stocker 4x4 wheels I can slap on, let me know.
Thanks

[GMC-YA68]

Well I installed some 2.5 degree shims today and it still acts the same. Possibly a little better but not enough to notice.

Also played with the tire pressure from 30-60 psi and no change.

Like I said above, I don't have a stock set of wheels anymore, but I did have a set of 26s that I used to have on my Tahoe and slapped them on to see if they helped anything. And they did not...plus don't be jealous of how awesome this looks....

[hemi43]

Damn !!! I always look at the pictures before I read the posts, and I have to admit when I saw those 26's on your truck, I thought you had lost your mind. LOL
Thank God they are only temporary ! I hope you test drove it at night?

[ls1nova71]

Haha, I was going to post that pic if you didnt!!!

[jhama78]

Just thinking out loud.... is the steering column binding? i.e. bad bearings? Is there anything crimping/denting the steering column tube? Anything rubbing on the steering shaft under the hood? Have you replaced the axleshaft joints?

best of luck

[cleszkie]

When you took the caster angle measurements while the front was on jack stands, was the front end (and rear end) at ride height? If not, your caster measurements would be wrong, or at best misleading you to believe you have the proper caster angle.

[GMC-YA68]

There was talk of tire scrub. I "eyeballed" my set up and it really doesn't seem like I have an excessive amount of positive scrub by any means. My driver side tire sticks out maybe an inch past the fender lips. I don't know anything about it but from some research it doesn't seem out of the ordinary.

They are 18x9 wheels and have 4.5" backspace. Tires are a 325/60/18. Which is just a tad larger than a 33x12.50.

[ls1nova71]

How are you measuring the caster? Edit: Nevermind, I remember now, duh!

[GMC-YA68]

Just with the white trash dial indicator like in the other pics.

[ls1nova71]

I have my doubts about it being the problem, but if you want to bring it over sometime we can reset the toe. I made a trammel bar the other day that is way more accurate than trying to use a tape measure.

[JJH Jimmy]

Have you checked to see if your axles are parallel with each other? When i built my jimmy and i installed the axles on the bare frame i measured diagonally from the passenger side front axle to the drivers side rear axle and vice-versa. I also measured from the center of the front axle to the center of the rear axle on each side. When i first took these measurements my axles were off 5/8" - 3/4" diagonally. I ended up using come-a-longs and straps to pull the axles where they needed to be before i tightened down the u-bolts to the axle spring perches.

Not saying this is your problem but i didn't see it mentioned.

[GMC-YA68]

Originally Posted by JJH Jimmy

Have you checked to see if your axles are parallel with each other? When i built my jimmy and i installed the axles on the bare frame i measured diagonally from the passenger side front axle to the drivers side rear axle and vice-versa. I also measured from the center of the front axle to the center of the rear axle on each side. When i first took these measurements my axles were off 5/8" - 3/4" diagonally. I ended up using come-a-longs and straps to pull the axles where they needed to be before i tightened down the u-bolts to the axle spring perches.

Not saying this is your problem but i didn't see it mentioned.

A rough measure from center to center showed about 1/2" off (longer) on the passenger side. Thoughts?

[jaros44sr]

Is your frame cracked behind the steering box, or not tightened down? Just a thought, as I have heard of this before

[GMC-YA68]

It is not cracked. And steering box is tight to the frame. Double checked that the other night as well.