Steering wheel off center

[ranchhopper]

Sounds like a sheared center bolt the axle is sliding back and forth on the leaf spring.

 

[o1951]

Sounds like a sheared center bolt the axle is sliding back and forth on the leaf spring.

That would change the toe, and cause heavy front tire wear. This is the type of person I hate seeing with an MV! Driving an MV with damaged suspension/ steering on public highways is irresponsible. Damaged part fails, he looses control and collides with innocent civilians at highway speeds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's the kind of action that can cause everyone to loose the right to drive MV's on public roads.

 

[doghead]

Maybe it will only take him out...

I can't imagine how many more vehicle owners there are out there, like the OP.

Kinda makes me cringe, knowing we travel the same roads.

 

[rtk]

I agree , man o man , you know I offered to check his vehicle out , got a open bay in the barn , get his hands dirty , I would explain what PM's and TM's are , he needs to make the first move . bob k

 

[73m819]

You got away ignoring everything said about this PROBLEM, you feel good that you did not fix anything, how would you feel if something had broke and sent you into the on coming lane, causing a headon and maybe killing someone. Unlike you, we and your dad are not IDIOTS with a total DISREGARD of our or others safety. Try listening to your dad, there is a lot to be said about old age knowledge.

 

[scottladdy]

I normally don't like to join in on the pig pile, but in this case it is justified. Very serious safety concerns.

As a society, we no longer hold the individual accountable for their own deeds (or mis-deeds as it were). If we did, people like this might be less inclined to risk more than their own lives.

 

[o1951]

After talking to one of the mods, I will lay it out as I see it.
Maybe this will help others.

You may not realize you are essentially driving uninsured. If you know or should have known about a condition, and someone is subsequently injured. In most states, insurer does not have to cover it.

Could be an issue with anything, from a motor vehicle, to a dangerous condition, like an uncovered pit on your property. Obviously, since you posted on a public forum, you know about the issue. You received competent advise and warnings which were disregarded.

Anyone injured because of your actions could sue for compensatory and punitive damages, and in my opinion would easily win a large judgment, which you could be paying for the rest of your life. If the operator is considered a minor in that location, dad's assets may also be on the hook!

Bad accident, and some legislator could decide to make a hero of himself by proposing an amendment to a bill to ban the sale of military vehicles to private individuals.

The only logical action I see at this point is to immediately take it to a competent repair shop, and have them make the repairs they feel are necessary to restore it to roadworthy condition. The receipt should note that the vehicle has been restored to roadworthy condition. Keep the receipt in the vehicle, and a copy at home.

That way, if there is an incident, you can show that to the best of your knowledge, you were operating a properly maintained roadworthy vehicle.

 

[m1010plowboy]

Something is bent, broken, or out of adjustment. I know you are having fun with your truck,

With April 1st around the corner, I hope the OP's sense of humor is bent and he's havin' fun with more than just the truck.

This can't be real. With all the Peer Review shared with those representing Steel Soldiers and Former Military Vehicle owners, nobody would publicly announce abuse of their responsibilities in front of this crowd....can't be real.

I'd feel bad if I spoiled a good April Fools Joke but this topic just isn't funny.

 

[dmilkman589]

so i looked at it today. the axle is still sitting where its suppose to under the leafs, the frame were the steering box is bolted on is not cracked. i jacked up the front end and i dont notice any unusual play in the front wheels. could something in the actual steering box be broken, could it have skipped a tooth? is that even possible... i did loosen the drag ling at one time to try and adjust it but couldn't get the sleeve to rotate so tightened it back down and walked away for the time being. could that maybe have slipped a few threads?

 

[twomorestrokes]

I had a full size Chevy van slip some threads on a tie rod over a bump in the road at 60 mph a few years back. Hit the bump and the steering wheel jumped about 90 degrees. Scary. Between the rust on the threads and the sleeve not being very tight it jumped. Luckily it didn't come all the way out.

 

[dmilkman589]

so it is possible for it to slip.... hmm guessing thats it. well everyone on here who wanted to bash the heck out of me. im bringing it to a shop tomorrow to have the front end looked at before i drive back to buffalo. also im getting a new drag link installed assuming that's the only thing wrong. i tried replacing it today and couldn't hit it hard enough with a hammer to break the joint free from the pitman arm. ill let yal know how the shop end up getting it off and if that ends up being the issue...

 

[rtk]

You really need to get your MV to somebody who KNOWS what they are LOOKING at . Lotsa stuff to look at under there and it is difficult to for us on SS to offer a diagnosis without looking at the vehicle . BTW , that would be a NO GO on skipping a tooth on your steering gear box , power steering is a different animal , if your gear box did that you would really have BIG problems !

 

[wayne pick]

No one is bashing you. Just get your truck straightend out for the safety of yourself, and others. some advice, do not hammer or use a pickle fork on the pitman arm, you can break the internals of the steering box. Always use a puller to remove the pitman arm.

 

[o1951]

im getting a new drag link installed assuming that's the only thing wrong. i tried replacing it today and couldn't hit it hard enough with a hammer to break the joint free from the pitman arm....

FYI, you don't hit with a hammer at end of pitman arm - usually causes serious damage to steering box. The poor man's way is to use a tie rod end separator. Tool looks like a big tapered fork. People in the trade call it a "pickle fork"

 

[Shoprat 19th Engr]

Sounds like a bent output shaft on your steering box pull the arm off the box and see if the splines are all in line if not you will see a twist close to the sterring box housing

 

[wayne pick]

I disagree with using a pickle fork on a steering box. My 2000 S15 Jimmy had front end work done on it prior to my purchasing it. When I drove it home, it was all over the road. When I first test drove it, the drive was on local streets at low speeds and went un noticed. On the highway, it would change lanes on it's own. It turned out that the worm gear in the steering box had been broken, Probably as a result of using a pickle fork to remove the pitman arm. Hammering on or using a pickle fork can drive the pitman arm shaft down and break the gears in the steering box.

 

[scottladdy]

Pitman Arm Puller



Pitman Arm Puller. Made just for the job.

 

[dmilkman589]

that's how you get the pitman arm off the box, but what about the drag link off the pitman arm?

 

[twomorestrokes]

Pickle fork and big hammer?

 

[dmilkman589]

but weren't we just told not to strike in that general area with a pickle fork? or should i be removing the pitman arm from the box first. then removing drag link from arm.