Steering question...

[Tyroma]

Hey Gang...

I have been snooping around on the net, and watching movies of M37 trucks. I have noticed that the ones in the movies are easy to steer. In sharp contrast, my truck is not easy to steer. Now, I do not expect it to steer like my modern power-assisted steering vehicles, but my truck is a BEAR to drive! I have to use both arms (...and A LOT of strength...) to turn the wheel, and it doesn't return to center when I complete a rolling turn.

Is this the norm? Or is there something wrong with my truck or steering box? Without having to upgade to a power steering unit, is there a way to make it a bit easier to steer?

Thanks!!

Ty

[cuz]

Do some serious one item at a time troubleshooting. Park the old girl and get the front wheels off the floor and then spin the steering wheel lock to lock. Is it still stiff? Is the stiffness even throughout travel or greater towards each side and lessor in the middle? Disconnect the steering gear box and see if she is still as stiff? If the stiffness stays with the gear box disconnected from the drag link then the problem is the box.

[NebM37]

Ty...

I would do as was suggested and source the problem. My wife drives our M37 almost daily here on the farm and she's all of 110lbs. She has never had an issue.

NoRM

[Tyroma]

Will do guys....thanks for the suggestions!

Ty

[k8icu]

When is the last time you did any maintenance on the truck? Have you checked the steering gear box for oil? Does it have any? How about the linkage are they greased? How about the knuckles at the tires and rims are they greased? I'm thinking it sounds like you might need to take some time and clean things up and relube everything so that it moves like it's suppose to do. Preventive Maintenance (PM) goes a long way.

Besides if your not turning a wrench on them you don't own an old MV....

[M37UK]

I had EXACTLY the same issues and with mine the steering box was practically rusted solid and full of water !!
I only discovered this when I removed it to add the power steering setup.

I would definately start with tearing apart your steering box and giving it a real good service.

Stu

[Cal_Gary]

All good replies, and consider adding locking hubs up front-this helps reduce drag on the front driveline and gave me another mile or two per gallon....
Gary

[Tyroma]

Well, pulled the pitman arm off the steering box today..still stiff. Under closer inspection, I see that somehow the housing around the output shaft has been damaged, so now the housing is rubbing against the output shaft. Ah well, at least I know the problem now.

Now to see if I can track down a steering box...anyone got one for sale?

Thanks

Ty

[MSeriesRebuild]

Well, pulled the pitman arm off the steering box today..still stiff. Under closer inspection, I see that somehow the housing around the output shaft has been damaged, so now the housing is rubbing against the output shaft. Ah well, at least I know the problem now.

Now to see if I can track down a steering box...anyone got one for sale?

Thanks

Ty

We have some original take-off boxes, but sounds to me like there is no time like the present to install power steering, I'd never invest in an original set up. P/S is one of the best upgrades one can do, never had anyone who didn't love it.

[cuz]

The only issue with power steering is getting out of the mountains when the hydraulics gets lost. If you think manual M37 steering is tough on ya try a power unit that lost it's power. Great for the driveway and the highway though.

[MSeriesRebuild]

The only issue with power steering is getting out of the mountains when the hydraulics gets lost. If you think manual M37 steering is tough on ya try a power unit that lost it's power. Great for the driveway and the highway though.

I'd love to go vehicle shopping with you and take my camera, the look on the salesman's face would be priceless when you ask him to custom order a vehicle WITHOUT power steering because you are afraid of mechanical failure in the mountains. I expect things would really turn ugly when the wife ask you why you didn't get power steering. You know the drill, it's your vehicle, whatever trips your trigger, floats your boat, etc. Personally I've very much enjoyed the power steering retrofit that I have on my truck, and have for 20 years without the first issue. I wouldn't hesitate for a second on doing it again.

[cuz]

Opinions are like you know what. Try backing a jeep with add on power steering that quit down a 60% slope with many obstacles. The Army didn't call for it for that reason until the more modern fully engineered vehicle specific systems came on line in the 70's. I ain't no gorilla but all of my older vehicles are without power steering and I get along just fine with. All of my vehicles built after 1970 have or had power steering and I get along just fine with them. When I head out into the boonies I take one of the older vehicles without power steering, power brakes, electronic (Real type) engine controls, and all the other automatic Arse wiping mechanisms folks dream up. That equates to 40 years worth and have never had to walk home.

[k8icu]

Now to see if I can track down a steering box...anyone got one for sale?

Thanks

Ty

The steering gear box and the colume are all one piece on these trucks. I have one in Cleveland Ohio you can have cheep because the shipping is going to be the hard part. PM if interested.