Hello,
Need some help again.
Replaced both the tie rod and drag link last week, now the steering wheel can do 1 7/8 turn to the left and 1 1/3 turn to the left. Both the front wheel and steering wheel look straight. I didn't remove the pitman arm during the change. The length of tie rod and drag link may be altered slightly because the old ones are rusted I had to change the tubes and ends all together.
Just realized this after a 500 miles trip, my 80 drives good just can't make good turns.
Thanks like always
Peter
None of the above posts address the steering gear. It could be that's it's been this way a long time and you didn't realize it.
Plus, apparently, your truck only turns left. Do you drive it in NASCAR?
Drive the truck into the garage and make sure the wheels feel straight as you stop and park it, regardless what the steering wheel feels like.
Leave the front tires on the ground.
Disconnect the drag link.
Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left.
Then turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, counting the exact number of revolutions.
Divide that number by two.
Turn the steering wheel back to the left that number of turns.
That is the center of the steering gear.
Wrap a piece of painters tape around the steering wheel at the very top when it is centered to give you a clear straight ahead reference point.
If your steering wheel is not straight up, you may need to pull it and straighten it up because someone before you did that, using their logic. You can do this part last.
Once you have the steering gear centered, turn off the key to lock the steering wheel so it doesn't move.
Now, adjust your drag link to meet the pitman arm on the gear. This will get it close to being correct.
Make sure your tie rod is centered between the two tie rod ends. You may need to take off one end and adjust it in or out to get them close. Count the number of exposed threads on each end to get them right. Within 2 threads is close enough. The tie rod does not directly affect the left to right steering unless you are hitting the knuckle stops on the axle.
Put it back together and take it for a drive. It would not surprise me that your steering wheel is off a few degrees one way or the other. This is now within range to be fine tune adjusted with the drag link to center the steering wheel.
If the steering wheel is close to being straight, you can adjust it with the drag link. If it is upside down, you need to pull it and reorient it.
Then after reorienting, adjust the drag link.
Leave the end clamps loose and take it for a drive. Turn the drag link half turn with each adjustment so you know which direction does what and you don't go overboard.
When all done, tighten all clamps in a position they won't drag on the lower control arms (actually, maybe that's your problem right now) and the rods won't turn on their own.
