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Re: [GMCnet] Road Wonder [message #109854 is a reply to message #109821] Mon, 27 December 2010 00:32 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma:
Senior Member
Michael,

To help us help you troubleshoot the problem we need some additional
information:

1) What brand of tires / size are on your GMC?

2) Are they all steel belted or do they have fabric sidewalls?

3) "Normal" tire pressure in a GMC is around 60 psi why are you running
80/70?

4) Exactly what did Spectrac "teach" you vis-à-vis setting the ride height?

5) The following is a step by step procedure to check for play in the
steering system that could contribute to the amount of play in the steering
wheel starting at the bottom of the steering column and working your way out
to both the wheels. YES it is long and YES it's going to take you some time
to go through it but when you're done you will KNOW where there is play in
the system and how it is effecting your steering. You will note I have
instructed you to record the amount of relative motion of two areas quite
often throughout this procedure, you may find it easier to put your fingers
on the parts I've noted to feel the play. PLEASE BE careful not to get your
fingers pinched! If your assistant only moves the steering wheel an inch or
two each direction that is unlikely to happen but still be careful!

I have scanned and posted an annotated copy of the page out of the Parts
Book 78Z so you can locate each of the areas.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37249

The circled numbers on the photo relate to the step numbers in the text
below.

1) Have an assistant sit in the driver's seat and start the engine.

2) Open the driver's side hood

3) Direct your attention to the end of the Steering Column where the CV
joint attaches. Have your assistant turn the wheel a small amount (inch or
two) to the left and then back to the right. Watch/feel for relative motion
between the end of the steering column housing and the shaft. There is a
bearing/retainer/adapter (Ref 78Z Page 16-8/9 Keys 31/33/34) in the end of
the housing that if any of them failed it would allow the column to move.
Record your findings.

4) Direct your attention to the top and bottom of the CV joint below the end
of the steering column. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and
right. Watch/feel for relative motion between the upper and lower section of
the CV joint. The top and bottom should rotate the same amount. If the top
and bottom do not move in unison that's play and depending on how much it
may be unacceptable. Record your findings.

5) Direct your attention to the Shaft assembly below the CV joint. Have your
assistant move the steering wheel left and right. Watch/feel for relative
motion between the blue section and the housing it slides into below it. If
the blue section moves inside the housing that's play and may be
unacceptable depending on how much it moves. Record your findings.

6) Direct your attention to the universal joint at the bottom of the housing
the blue shaft slides into. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left
and right. Watch/feel for relative motion between the upper and lower
sections of the universal joint. Once again the two sections should move in
unison. It is not uncommon for the bolt that holds the lower section to the
steering box spline not to be tight enough which allows the lower part to
move. Record your findings.

7) Direct your attention to the input shaft of Steering Box and output shaft
of the Steering Box that the Pitman Arm is attached to. Have your assistant
move the steering wheel left and right. Watch/feel for relative motion
between the input and output shaft of the steering box. They should move in
unison. Record your findings. Note: you may have to be under the GMC to
perform this step.

The following steps will have to be done from under the GMC. You may not be
able to crawl under it far enough to check the items properly without
jacking it up. If I am correct jack up the front end just high enough to
provide access leaving the tires in contact with the ground to provide
resistance to turning. As always use jack stands, make sure the GMC is in
Park, the hand brake is on and the rear wheels are chocked.

8) Direct your attention to the Tie Rod End on the Drag Link that attaches
it to the Pitman arm. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and
right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of
the Tie Rod End. Record your findings.

9) Direct your attention to the Tie Rod End on the Drag Link that attaches
to the Relay Lever. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and
right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of
the Tie Rod End. Record your findings.

10) Direct your attention to the Relay Lever pivot point where it attaches
to the frame cross member. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left
and right. Watch/feel for relative motion between Relay Lever and the cross
member. Record your findings. Note: a worn pivot point will allow the Relay
Lever to move up and down on or rock front to back like a see saw.

11) Direct your attention to the ball and socket on the Relay Lever that
attaches it to the Relay Rod. Have your assistant move the steering wheel
left and right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the
shaft. Record your findings.

12) Direct your attention to the ball and socket of the Tie Rod End on the
Tie Rod that connects the Relay Rod to the Driver Side Knuckle at the Relay
Rod end. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and right.
Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of the Tie
Rod End. Record your findings.

13) Direct your attention to the ball and socket on the Tie Rod end on the
Tie Rod that connects the Relay Rod to the Driver Side Knuckle at the Driver
Side Knuckle end. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and
right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of
the Tie Rod End. Record your findings.

14) Direct your attention to the bolt and bushing that attach the Idler Arm
to the frame cross member. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left
and right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between Idler Arm and the cross
member. Note: a worn Idler Arm bushing/bolt will rise and fall as the
steering wheel is turned left and right. Record your findings.

15) Direct your attention to the ball and socket on the end of the Idler Arm
that attaches to the Relay Rod. Have your assistant move the steering wheel
left and right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the
shaft of the Tie Rod End.

16) Direct your attention to the ball and socket of the Tie Rod End on the
Tie Rod that connects the Relay Rod to the Passenger Side Knuckle at the
Relay Rod end. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and right.
Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of the Tie
Rod End. Record your findings.

17) Direct your attention to the ball and socket of the Tie Rod End on the
Tie Rod that attaches the Relay Rod to the Passenger Side Knuckle at the
Knuckle end. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and right.
Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of the Tie
Rod End. Record your findings.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2010 11:41 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Road Wonder

Just got back from a camping trip in the GMC. 99.9% problem free. Which is a
huge success for us! lol
Have a question for the experts about road wonder.
A little history....I can't describe this well but I'll try my best. I HAD
horrible steering. I mean to the point it was simply dangerous to drive
this. It was all over the road. Took it to Spectrac (a suspension company
for those not in AZ) and it needed a front bearings and (1) knuckle. They
also said my gear box was way, way over tight they corrected it.
Much of the problem ended and its much safer to drive. But highway driving
in the GMC is something I'd rather never have to do. I avoid it at all cost
if possible.
The GMC bounces, sways, swags and seems like a marshmallow driving on the
highway. It kinda feels like the steering and body want to do go two
different directions at times. Big trucks air pushes me really bad, even a
large pickup trucks air can do it as well (not a bad of course)
It seems to be a endless game of steer to the left, steer to the right. Then
the body rolls to the left the body rolls to the right.
I have my air ride disconnected and Spectrac taught me how to set the ride
height using the frame in the back behind the tires. I've checked it, double
checked it, ran it alittle high on the airbags, and it alittle low it
doesn't seem to be related.
I have used 80lbs of air in the tires, 70 lbs and its the same.
It has new KYB shocks I installed from one of the gmc sites they mailed them
to me so Im sure they are the correct ones. Spectrac said the rear bearings
were fine.
I did notice that when driving straight if I move the wheel to the left or
right it has a good amount of play. But keep in mind I've never really drove
anything from this era.
Just not sure what to check!? Any ideas???!
--
1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Casa Grande, AZ
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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

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