Thread: Negative steering box and flat spotted tires

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A little background, I own a 1981 Chevy 2wd 1500. The sterring is really loose feeling, my dad says its because it has a negative steering box as opposed to a positive box which they started using in '88. Can anyone give me some insight on that one?

And the truck has a nasty pull to the right when you let go of the wheel and the ride is rather rough, every little bump feels like a crater. My father once again says its because the truck sat for awhile and developed flat spots on the tires. Could it all be caused by just the tires? or am I need for some new leaf springs and shocks?

Give the whole front suspension a good visual checkout. Run the flat of your palms over the tires to feel flat spots or cupping,if you have very worn tires don't do this,the steel belt hanging out will slice you. Second,do a bounce test on the shocks,push down hard,should rebound once and level off. grab a helper,have him work the steering wheel back and forth about a quarter of a turn ,while you lay on a creeper or cardboard watching the steering linkage. Any play will soon be seen. jack up the lower a frame and check wheel bearing play,and upper ball joint, now grab a pry bar,jam it betweem the lower spindle and a frame and rock up and down looking for play in the lower ball joint.. The was also a recall on these to watch for rivets coming loose where the crossmembers attach to the frame channels. If after all this you still have problems,better see a good front end man. Hank