I completed my spring install and took the truck for a test drive... The steering wheel is off center by about 70 degrees and it feels lighter than normal. Also the drivers side bump stop travel is about 1/2 what the passenger side is. The steering thing is really got me wondering? Everything is tight, the lighter feel could be the new tires... Ideas???

 

Pictures would really help.

 

I guess you want to see how far the steering wheel is? or is there a different picture you need to see.?

 

Off topic but, glad to see a 1st gen in the million mile club!!

Return to topic...

 

Yes,

The steering wheel being off is completely normal.

Differences in height may be normal, but you won't know for a hundred or so miles.

WHen I did my springs, the steering wheel spins slightly as when you increase your spring height, it alters the position of the pitman arm on the gear. Wait a few days, then get your steering wheel puller out, and re-center the wheel.


Both issues are due to the new ride height. Drive it around for a little while and let the springs mellow out for a little bit.

My truck was two different heights from side to side when I first installed the springs. After driving it around for a short period, they both were the same height ..... I brought the truck back to the spring shop without measuring the second time before I went there, and by the time I pulled into the shop, broke out my tape measure, I realized that the springs settled to their resting point, and both sides were the same.


Good thing I didn't mention that to the spring shop guys, otherwise I would have looked really silly..

 

Thanks for the info. I was getting concerned. Kinda sucks the drivers side bump stop is maybe about .500 from bottoming out and the passenger side is about 1 inch. Hope nothing settles much more...

I think I'll just recenter the wheel now so I dont keep staring at it..

 

Are you sure you don't have a shackle installed wrong, or at least different.

If I remember, the shackles have a bushing that binds to the plates. If one side was tightened while hanging, and the other under load, they'd rest a little differently. Can't be good.

 

Yes.... This is possible as well.

simply loosen both shackle bolts (both sides) at the same time without removing the nuts, and allow the suspension to self position it's placement in the shackles, with the weight of the truck on the springs. Tighten the nuts back to spec, and drive it around. See if it's affected or not.

Spec on the system...

80 ft lbs on the shackles
90 ft lbs on the spring perches
100 ft lbs on the front eyelet bolts behind the bumper.

You should periodically check these numbers, as I've found they get slightly loose after the first few hundred miles.

 

Everything was torqued while the truck was in the air. Im assuming that that would make everything equal... or am I wrong for assuming?

With the truck supported by the frame, I installed the springs into the front and rear mount and put the bolts in (didnt tighten), then jacked the axle into place and tightened/torqued U-bolts then torqued the front eye bolts then the rears...

Wouldn't hurt to loosen them while on the ground and let them be in their eventual resting place...

 

You need to loosen off all the bolts and torque while the truck weight is on the suspension. Torquing with no weight on it will cause funny things to happen.

 

I'll do it when the Sun goes down a bit, its 110 outside today...

 

It wouldn't hurt to loosen everything off and bounce on the front bumper a few times to put everything into a neutral state.

 

I really think the alignment is out. It tracks straight, but the steering has a weird feel. the tires are new but the little rubber hairs that are on them are worn off except for the drivers side inside 2 inches of tire the hairs are still there....

Guess its alignment time.

 

Here's the tire and the new spring... They sure didnt lift much of anything..

 

I believe all of the steering shafts have a master spline that keep you from recentering the steering wheel unless you were to remove the required spline using a grinder, youll see once you pull the steering wheel.
At least mine is this way.

Jim