bump steer ?'s

[CHEVYJEFF]

Looking for ideas for curing my bump steer issue. after doing my 4" tci lift and adding my 35" bfg all terrains and steel wheels, I notice I have a pretty good case of the bump steer. When the truck hits a bump going while going straight the wheels seem to move the steering wheel really hard. The truck will go straight when hitting bumps but the steering wheel jerks left and right. Everything is new on the front axil and suspension. I installed a dual stabilizer and it helped but it seems to be doing it worse again. I was thinking about doing two things to help the bump steer. One is adding a drop pitman arm to go along with the raised steering arm already on the truck, the second is to install another shock on each side on front as it came from factory (quad shock) (only used one shock per side front when I did the lift) Only other thing I can think is the steering box is tired but there isnt much slop in it either.

[2wdBlazer]

Crossover steering the pretty much your best bet. I'm surprised your bump-steer is that bad. Mine is not that bad at all and I have 38's.

[CHEVYJEFF]

it is just kind of annoying. I am thinking it may be steering box related

[JIMs70GMC]

Box could be tight but not tight to the frame, make sure it is tight to the frame. Dropping the pitman arm might actually aggrevate the condition as the drag link needs to be as level(front to back) as possible.
Cross-over would be the way to go.

[DennyB]

Also check for cracks in the frame at the steering gear mounting area.

['71k-10]

off road design (offroaddesign.com) has crossover steering for dana 44, 10 bolt and dana 60 front ends, if you decide to go that way. just a thought.

[CHEVYJEFF]

I recheckedeverything under the front end including frame and steering box tightness. All is nice and tight. is it possible that the powersteering pump does not have enough pressure to keep the steering box from being moved by the drag and center link? I have heard of guys drilling out the hole in the ps pump in hydraulic steering set ups but for more pressure. Im curions if I put a smaller return line on the pump if it would make the steering box harder to move thus making it harder for the axil assembly to manipulate the steering box.

[cochino12]

I had no problem with 4" and 35"s and then I added the raised steering arm and its doing exactly as you described. I have heard that sometimes the arm is too tall for a 4" lift and it causes the bumpsteer. I think I might just get the weld in brace for steering box and switch back to the stock steering arm?

[CHEVYJEFF]

thats a new one on me, never heard of the arm being to tall for a 4" lift. I know that the drag link is supossed to be horizontal with the ground at ride hieght. hmmmmm very interesting will check that next. I sure dont want to try and take that damn arm off.

[Joey-D]

I have 8" lift and 38.5s and had horrible bumpsteer. I went with crossover steering from blackbirds customs and "OH MY GOD IS IT A DIFFERENCE!!" I never thought with 38s I could let go of the wheel and it track straight. No more bumpsteer at all. And above all that, my turning radius is now literally 50% of what it used to be. Granted my old drag linkages was worn out, but there were times with that set up I could catch a rut, the wheels turned to the left and max out the steering wheel to the right. It would all just bind up. I also installed one hechithorn heavy duty steering stabalizer from JC Whitney. I think I spent $450 for the kit, minus the 2wd drive steering box (Which I stole from the 69 project). It seems like a hell of a lot of money for only a couple parts, but it was worth every dime of it. I can't praise crossover enough.

[poff]

I had the same problem with my lift. From what I can tell it is about 4". The truck had a 4" steering arm when I got it and it had bad bump steer. I put a stock arm with a 2" drop pitman arm and the bump steer is almost completely gone. Of coarse a little bump steer is always there because of the design. Crossover is definitely the best way to go. I am waiting 'till I get a Dana 60 to do it though. Too much work to do the D44. Check the rag joint too.

[CHEVYJEFF]

Think I am going to try this. I had some other people tell me that a dropped pitman arm and stock steering arm fixed thier problem. Let you know what I find.

[poff]

The only company I found that made one is Skyjacker, cost me about $100. 4WheelParts price matched Summit. Hint: Summit does not list everything online that they sell in thier catalog. If you do "Manufacturer Search" and enter the manufacturers part # you can find parts that are not listed otherwise, got GM Performance parts cheap this way.

[JIMs70GMC]

I bought the 2" drop pitman arm for my 70 from ORD, it was under $100.

[CHEVYJEFF]

I installed the 2" drop pitman arm (skyjacker ca-90) and stock steering arm over the weekend and it got rid of 95% of my bumpsteer problems. The truck is easier to steer and doesnt jerk the wheel at all. The draglink length was reduced by about 1-2" and ride is so much better. Now just need to find a buyer for one slightly used 4" raised steering arm.

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by CHEVYJEFF

I installed the 2" drop pitman arm (skyjacker ca-90) and stock steering arm over the weekend and it got rid of 95% of my bumpsteer problems. The truck is easier to steer and doesnt jerk the wheel at all. The draglink length was reduced by about 1-2" and ride is so much better. Now just need to find a buyer for one slightly used 4" raised steering arm.

thats what I was going to do also, but I found a good deal on some x-over stuff. Glad it worked out for you.

['71c204x4454]

since some of you brought up cross-over steering and sound like some of you have it was wondering if it would fit on a '71 with just a 2" lift. I like the idea of tighter turning radius.

[CHEVYJEFF]

I dont know how crossover steering would fit on anything else but a 6" and up lift and still keep the sway bar. But it is by far the best solution to the b.s. issue

[bouncytruck]

I have always heard that cross-over works for 6" lifts or more.

Check your rag joint to see if it is worn. You may want to replace it too. Also, check your tire pressure. I have heard different brands of tires can solve the problem too, especially on your combo. My '69 has 6" lift and 35's and bump steer is minimal. My old '72 had a 4" lift and 35's with no bump steer. My current '72 has a 4" lift with stock wheels and tires and drives straight as an arrow.

[Joey-D]

I know on lifts of 4" or less there is a problem with the draglink hitting the engine/frame crossmember. People have modified there crossmember and some have even started selling new crossmembers they have made. Private individuals that is. I read about it on either this forum, coloradok5.com or pirate4x4.com. I was worried about my draglinkage too, but BlackBirds told me I would have no problems because of my drop pitman arm. Though with only 2" of lift, there would be a need for a drop pitman arm, so a crossmember could be an issue. Also look at crossover as though it was SBC Heads. Buy them too big. That first motor will be bad, then you get used to it and want more horsepower. If you bought heads that were too big for that motor, making it bigger and badder will be cheaper and easier. 2" of lift is good now, but when you decide its too small and want 6" or even 12", you will already be ahead of the game!

[cochino12]

Looks like I am actually going to change direction again, since mine is a DD. I am going to sell this x-over stuff and buy a drop pittman arm. Only reason I wanted it was to cure bumpsteer anyway. So if anyone is interested I will have x-over for a 10bolt for sale by the end of the week.

adam

[CHEVYJEFF]

Originally Posted by cochino12

Looks like I am actually going to change direction again, since mine is a DD. I am going to sell this x-over stuff and buy a drop pittman arm. Only reason I wanted it was to cure bumpsteer anyway. So if anyone is interested I will have x-over for a 10bolt for sale by the end of the week.

adam

I know the feeling. you should have no problem selling that stuff. Remeber you will need the stock steering arm with the drop pitman arm. On a positive note the steering arm was much easier to take off than the first time. It took me about an hour and 4 beers. Then I killed the rest of the 12 pack installing those rancho kicker shocks that i should have passed on.

[cochino12]

Hey Jeff, maybe I missed it but what did you pay for the pitman arm? Cheapest I have found is $85. thanks

Adam

[CHEVYJEFF]

90 - 100 plus shipping is what i found too. skyjacker (ca-90) is about the only one that makes it. I lucked out and found someone on ck5 that sold me a used one and a stock steering arm for 60

[eskyblaze]

Is your crossover steering setup interchangable with a Dana 44 and if so how much? Also how and where can I get in touch with blackbird customs.