jzack Posted yesterday at 10:43 AM Share Posted yesterday at 10:43 AM (edited) Hello all. After making a left turn, the steering wheel will stay turned to the left an 1/8 turn for a short while then go back to center, all while the truck is going straight down the road. It also does this turning to the right. Otherwise, everything is normal and tight with the steering system. Any idea what could be causing this? Edited yesterday at 10:50 AM by jzack Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted yesterday at 10:57 AM Share Posted yesterday at 10:57 AM loose steering joints. U-Joints, tie rod ends, drag link ends..... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593271 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzack Posted yesterday at 08:18 PM Author Share Posted yesterday at 08:18 PM 9 hours ago, Joey Mack said: loose steering joints. U-Joints, tie rod ends, drag link ends..... Yes, all of those have been replaced in the not-so-distant past except the tie-rod ends and they seem tight. What about the steering box? It is the original Shepard I think with 1.4 million on the truck. Is there an adjustment screw to take up gear lash like on a Dodge? I found this screw on the bottom but I'm not sure about it as it doesn't have a lock nut. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593304 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted yesterday at 08:21 PM Share Posted yesterday at 08:21 PM That will set the turning radius, theres one on top too. Are your steering stop bolts in place and adjusted correctly? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593305 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzack Posted yesterday at 08:51 PM Author Share Posted yesterday at 08:51 PM 26 minutes ago, Joey Mack said: That will set the turning radius, theres one on top too. Are your steering stop bolts in place and adjusted correctly? Are you talking about the plunger bolts on the top and bottom of the steering box? Or something in the linkages? That's what I thought that screw could be for after looking at the manual, thanks for verifying that. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593307 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted yesterday at 08:56 PM Share Posted yesterday at 08:56 PM Look behind the spindles on the back should be a large hex or square head bolt with a jam nut. It stops againsnt the triangular bump outs on the axle beam. If you are over steering, you will have a slow to no return on its own. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593308 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzack Posted 23 hours ago Author Share Posted 23 hours ago 40 minutes ago, Joey Mack said: Look behind the spindles on the back should be a large hex or square head bolt with a jam nut. It stops againsnt the triangular bump outs on the axle beam. If you are over steering, you will have a slow to no return on its own. Thanks, I'll look into that. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593313 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted 23 hours ago Share Posted 23 hours ago You need too. Those stop bolts have been known to fall out, and that puts a lot of stress on the steering system, from the box to all the linkages... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593314 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted 22 hours ago Share Posted 22 hours ago Does it have any caster ? Like from it missing because the springs are shot and the kingpins are straight up and down? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593316 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzack Posted 10 hours ago Author Share Posted 10 hours ago 12 hours ago, Mark T said: Does it have any caster ? Like from it missing because the springs are shot and the kingpins are straight up and down? It should have plenty of castor. My local alignment shop usually maxes it out with some aluminum shims under the springs. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593323 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzack Posted 4 hours ago Author Share Posted 4 hours ago (edited) Behind 30 years of crud, it looks like the bump stop bolts are in place. I rarely hold the wheel against the stops as you can tell. After thinking about this, I think this has something to do with the front suspension loading and un-loading somehow affecting my steering center. This is because I get the same effect while braking and accelerating. When I brake, the steering wheel goes 1/8 turn to the left. When I accelerate under load, the wheel goes 1/8 turn to the right. Question is, how is this happening with a solid front axle and why does it have such a long delay before the wheel goes back to center? Maybe some of this is normal too, but now it's more pronounced for some reason. Edited 3 hours ago by jzack Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593350 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted 2 hours ago Share Posted 2 hours ago Springs. They don't have to be broke to be worn out. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593354 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzack Posted 59 minutes ago Author Share Posted 59 minutes ago 1 hour ago, Mark T said: Springs. They don't have to be broke to be worn out. True. I'll take a closer look at them. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76502-1994-mack-ch-steering-has-memory/#findComment-593356 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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