slow steering down / make wheel firmer

[12-Pack Jeff]

I've got a saganaw pump on my bronco.. while it only has some nearly stock tires on it right now the steering is WAY too quick and easy to steer. I could rock crawl and use 2 fingers on it, almost like Ram-assist. Even at 10lbs in the sand it turns way too easy. At anything faster than 35mph it can get hairy while driving on the street. The center mounted rear shocks dont help but i'd like to find a way to make it steer less quick and or make it harder to turn a bit. I was thinking maybe change the pully size or something but I'm not sure. Any suggestions?

 

[broncnaz]

How many turns is your steering box? You could try and find a bigger pulley that may help some. Get some big tires they will make a differance or I'll trade you my manual box off my 71. Usually once you get used to it it wont seem so bad. And your right your center mounted shock probably dont help any do you also have a lift? if so how much? A tall lift with stock sized tires can make things feel to quick as well.

 

[Dbarnes72]

Hi,
First of all I know squat about this but was just reading an article about power steering on another site and ran across a possible solution to your steering concern. Look at the pressure reducing device discussion at the third to the last post (or thereabouts). IIf I remember right, there is a thread on installing the pressure reducer also on that site. Could be the ticket. Good luck with it. Darrell

http://broncofix.com/viewtopic.php?t=273527

 

[fedrlbiker]

I have a little bit of the same problem and I've got 33x12.50 BFG All Terrains with a 12" steering wheel with a 3.5" lift. Hope you find an easy solution cause I'll be looking to solve it too. Driving at 60-70 can be a bit nerve racking when the road gets wavy or uneven.

Also, my power steering pump whines real loud and when I'm idling it acts non-existent. I have to give it throttle to get the pump going in order to turn. Kinda awkward when making a slow tight corner. Does this mean my pump is bad? Fluid level is showing full... Would a new pump stop the whining noise completely?

 

[methcat]

more caster.

 

[lars]

more caster.

What he said. Try C bushings with more offset (assuming your Bronco doesn't have a lift, try 4 degree bushings).

Or if you are really feeling brave, try this. A ton of work, but with 35" tires and 4.5" of lift, my Bronco is stable with one thumb on the wheel even at freeway speeds. Seriously.

 

[Wyldebill]

I have a 3 1/2 turn box on mine and I have always run a steering stabilizer just to defeat the quick steering feel. It still steers at 3 1/2 turns, but it feels much firmer.

 

[methcat]

the caster will make it want to return to "straight ahead" more... which will make it more stable. the stabilizer will give you that feeling, but it will want to stay "wherever you let go of it" if you don't have enough caster to begin with. if you have good power steering, you can run all the way up to 10-11 degrees of caster.... good stuff.

 

[12-Pack Jeff]

What he said. Try C bushings with more offset (assuming your Bronco doesn't have a lift, try 4 degree bushings).

Or if you are really feeling brave, try this. A ton of work, but with 35" tires and 4.5" of lift, my Bronco is stable with one thumb on the wheel even at freeway speeds. Seriously.

Mine has a lift, 3.5 duff springs with cage shocks, deaver 11 pack out back with cage center mounted shocks between frame. Mine returns to center just fine while driving.. I think mine goes more than 3 1/2 lock to lock though.. I cant test it now cuz the axle is broke in 2

 

[Pa PITT]

If you have the 3.5 or like mine it's 3.25 to one turn ..I too feel mine is too fast but ..I don't drive mine over 30 to 35 mph most off the time ..After I got used too it it seems OK now ..But I was thinking of taking mine into have it made a 4 turn box..Don't move up to 6 turn it's not correct either.

 

[Broncobowsher]

more caster.

My thoughts exactly. Added caster adds effort and returnability to center. I have done a few custom alignments (use my own specs), generally added caster does wonderful things.

 

[av bronco]

more caster.

Yep, on these it is a miacle worker!

 

[Jeepster]

Bigger steering wheel. Figure these trucks (that the pumps were on) were designed with this in mind. My Bronco had a 3.5 turn box stock and it sported a 13" wheel. I know what you talk about saying its too quick. It was and the only difference from stock was the wheel.

 

[av bronco]

Also on my new quick ratio box it had lots of play from the factory,follow the instructions on taking up the slack.

 

[12-Pack Jeff]

If you have the 3.5 or like mine it's 3.25 to one turn ..I too feel mine is too fast but ..I don't drive mine over 30 to 35 mph most off the time ..After I got used too it it seems OK now ..But I was thinking of taking mine into have it made a 4 turn box..Don't move up to 6 turn it's not correct either.

I'll have to double check mine once I get it up on stands and disconnect the steering/axle (since the housings split) but I remember it being close to about 4 turns lock to lock. As long as I'm going straight its not bad.. even at up to 50mph (never gps'd it so not sure of exact speed). But on curves its very scary at that speed. Took a long sweeping turn recently at about 45-55 and hit a bump in the road- jerking the steering wheel shooting me to the curb (inside lane) I swerved and missed, but due to the steering being so sensitive I went into the other lane a foot or two which is bad and thats what i'd like to fix and avoid in the future.

Also on my new quick ratio box it had lots of play from the factory,follow the instructions on taking up the slack.

This box has absolutely 0 slack, I almost wouldnt mind putting some into it..

 

[brixter]

when was the last time you had it an alignment done ? mine was feeling a little sloppy and then I took it in last week and it feels a lot better now, it feels a lot slower now as well . I can really tell when I my alignment is not right as it gets real fast and sensitive . My problem ended up being a broken shim on my 44 knuckle . Granted my steering set up is not stock except for the box but you should be able to get it right .