Turning Radius Question

[jbgroby]

On a '60 GMC, does anyone know what the normal turning radius is for a '60? I ask because I was driving around the subdv. getting use to the noises and squeaks and stopped by a neighbors house to talk to him and I happened to notice that it seemed to me the truck did not turn as tight as it should.

I converted to power steering but the linkage is the same. I suppose I need to jack up the from in to turn left and right to measure.

Jake

[aerotruk63]

1960 Chevrolet Shop Manual
I believe yours is a 127" wheelbase, 1/2 ton.
TURNING RADII
22.20 feet measured to edge of front tire at outside of circle.
23.65 feet measured to outer extremity of truck (front bumper or fender ) wall to wall clearance.

[jbgroby]

Is there a way to jack up the front end and measure the angle of the wheel (left and right)?

[aerotruk63]

They show the truck is inside of the radius circle. In other words the measurements are for the passenger side as you make a left hand turn.

[aerotruk63]

First is to determine if it's the same left and right.
Turn the steering all the way in one direction till it locks, then all the way in the other till it locks , counting the number of turns it takes. Divide by two and turn the steering back to this calculated number of turns. Is the steering wheel centered at this point?

[jbgroby]

thanks,

[ChrisDollins]

I converted my 66 to power steering when I went to disc brakes. I noticed mine turns sharper to the left than to the right. I just did a quick tape measure alignment in the shop. Need to take it to an alignment shop to get it dialed in right most likely.

Chris

[forestb]

These things turn. I have just been leaning for years.

[LostMy65]

Less turning radius after converting to PS has came up a few times in these forums. I know for a fact that my 66 Service Truck lost quite a bit of turning radius when I converted to PS.
There was some discussion in a couple threads regarding pitman arm lengths and/or the box itself and its Stop to Stop.
For my 65 I bought a Redhead PS Box because I read lots of reviews on them about being tight with no play or slop.
I'm real happy and didn't notice any loss in turning radius.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

On a '60 GMC, does anyone know what the normal turning radius is for a '60? I ask because I was driving around the subdv. getting use to the noises and squeaks and stopped by a neighbors house to talk to him and I happened to notice that it seemed to me the truck did not turn as tight as it should.

I converted to power steering but the linkage is the same. I suppose I need to jack up the from in to turn left and right to measure.

Jake

In your driveway, turn st. wheel, lock-to-lock, and count the turns. Then turn it to half-way, have buddy hold it (or use tape to tape bottom end of st. wheel center to st. column TIGHTLY so it cannot budge: this is really the better option!). Then look underneath your truck from front & eyeballing points out how much wheels are both turned in one direction. Then, using the adjusters on the tie rod ends, rotate each until wheels are pointed straight ahead. [This amounts to lengthening one tie-rod and shortening the other.] Set toe-in approx. 1/8" IN and lock her down. This splits the difference in the lost ability to turn in one certain direction when moving the steering box outward from the frame during ps conversion. Spacing the new ps box out from the frame increases turn to left and decreases turn to right--dangerous to drive until these distances are equalized!!! HTH.
Sam

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by ChrisDollins

I converted my 66 to power steering when I went to disc brakes. I noticed mine turns sharper to the left than to the right. I just did a quick tape measure alignment in the shop. Need to take it to an alignment shop to get it dialed in right most likely.

Chris

Chris, see above reply to LostMy65.
Sam

[jbgroby]

Thanks Sam,
I'm going to take her to an old time alignment shop, the owners is into old cars, I'll print out your write up as well and give to him to check into.

Thanks

Originally Posted by luvbowties

In your driveway, turn st. wheel, lock-to-lock, and count the turns. Then turn it to half-way, have buddy hold it (or use tape to tape bottom end of st. wheel center to st. column TIGHTLY so it cannot budge: this is really the better option!). Then look underneath your truck from front & eyeballing points out how much wheels are both turned in one direction. Then, using the adjusters on the tie rod ends, rotate each until wheels are pointed straight ahead. [This amounts to lengthening one tie-rod and shortening the other.] Set toe-in approx. 1/8" IN and lock her down. This splits the difference in the lost ability to turn in one certain direction when moving the steering box outward from the frame during ps conversion. Spacing the new ps box out from the frame increases turn to left and decreases turn to right--dangerous to drive until these distances are equalized!!! HTH.
Sam