| [GMCnet] How much free play in steering is normal [message #303608] |
Thu, 14 July 2016 18:12  |
Advanced Concept Ener
Messages: 112
Registered: December 2014
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I guess I have been driving BMW's too long but GMC steering feels loose. I have about 1-2" either way as I hit ruts driving down the highway. Makes me feel like I have to steer it all the time. What is normal? How tight can I get it? All components in front end seem to be tight with no play. No vibration or shimmy driving down the road. New tires but no unusual wear on old ones. Good gas shocks and new hd stabilizer bar. Do steering stabilizers make sense? If I am going to start tighting it up where do I start?
Jon Darcy ACES
North Jersey 76 stretch, flares, 4 bag, Alcoa's, bunkhouse,MAC Dash,Manny Trans, FiTech FI,Honda 6010
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| Re: [GMCnet] How much free play in steering is normal [message #303609 is a reply to message #303608] |
Thu, 14 July 2016 18:45  |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
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Advanced Concept Ener wrote on Thu, 14 July 2016 18:12I guess I have been driving BMW's too long but GMC steering feels loose. I have about 1-2" either way as I hit ruts driving down the highway. Makes me feel like I have to steer it all the time. What is normal? How tight can I get it? All components in front end seem to be tight with no play. No vibration or shimmy driving down the road. New tires but no unusual wear on old ones. Good gas shocks and new hd stabilizer bar. Do steering stabilizers make sense? If I am going to start tighting it up where do I start?
Jon Darcy ACES
North Jersey 76 stretch, flares, 4 bag, Alcoa's, bunkhouse,MAC Dash,Manny Trans, FiTech FI,Honda 6010 First thing to do is center the steering box: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/steering-box/p54238-steering-box-adjustment.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/aa-miscellaneous-photos/p56547-steering-box-input-shaft-alignment.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/new-steering-gear-box/p11147.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] How much free play in steering is normal [message #303612 is a reply to message #303608] |
Thu, 14 July 2016 19:24 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Really none. Same as a Toronado/Eldo of the period. It can be one thing causing play, or many items with small wear as it all is additive. Or it can not need parts and only be clocked wrong because some Genius was in there at any point in the last 40 years.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] How much free play in steering is normal [message #303715 is a reply to message #303613] |
Sun, 17 July 2016 16:42 |
kstockwell
Messages: 367
Registered: May 2016
Location: Putney VT
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I have a similar experience- but my first trip I also couldn't adjust to the steering response time, it made me feel like I was driving on ice. I also think there's more play in the wheel than i am used to.
My third trip out, and I was 60-65 and had very few moments when I felt like a momentary loss of control. I do feel I need to have both hands on the wheel at all times and if I look down too long or take a sip of a soda I can find myself not exactly where I want to be.
My front tires are set at 72 (which is where the PO ran them). I'm curious if dropping front to 65 will help.
I feel a small amount of vibration when turning left a bit even on the highway (less turning than to change lanes). But I don't know what's normal/not for a 40 year old coach
the entire front end was gone over by Cinnabar in 2014.
I'll try to remember to post when I lower the pressure and drive again in a few weeks.
kelly
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
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| Re: [GMCnet] How much free play in steering is normal [message #303733 is a reply to message #303715] |
Sun, 17 July 2016 21:32 |
Bullitthead
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Registered: November 2013
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Check the load range of those tires before you drop the pressure! If they are the correct type (load range E), then 72 would be high, but not intolerable. Steering effort would be lighter at slower speed like in parking lots, but 7 lbs more pressure should not be the difference between easy control and feeling like driving on ice. I keep all the tires at 65, and I feel like I have a good grip on the road, but it will wander right off if I don't maintain constant steering vigilance, just like yours, Kelly.
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
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| Re: [GMCnet] How much free play in steering is normal [message #303734 is a reply to message #303608] |
Sun, 17 July 2016 21:37 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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None of that is normal. Cinnabar does great work but seams to use outdated specs on alignment. Look up the articles Jerry Work did on getting your coach to drive right. Today's concensus is to get as much caster as can be dialed in without the camber going negative. Typically 4 deg of caster on later builds and less on earlier builds is normal with stock bushings. Then set the toe to zero with the steering box on center.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] How much free play in steering is normal [message #304237 is a reply to message #303608] |
Mon, 25 July 2016 15:47 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
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The first step would be to identify (with use of a helper) where the play
is coming from and go from there. Have someone wiggle the steering wheel as
you work your way from the column to the tie rod ends feeling and looking
for the free play.
Sully
77 Royale
Seattle
On Thursday, July 14, 2016, Advanced Concept Energy Solutions <
aces4nrg@gmail.com> wrote:
> I guess I have been driving BMW's too long but GMC steering feels loose. I
> have about 1-2" either way as I hit ruts driving down the highway. Makes me
> feel like I have to steer it all the time. What is normal? How tight can I
> get it? All components in front end seem to be tight with no play. No
> vibration or shimmy driving down the road. New tires but no unusual wear on
> old ones. Good gas shocks and new hd stabilizer bar. Do steering
> stabilizers make sense? If I am going to start tighting it up where do I
> start?
>
> Jon Darcy ACES
> North Jersey 76 stretch, flares, 4 bag, Alcoa's, bunkhouse,MAC Dash,Manny
> Trans, FiTech FI,Honda 6010
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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