I just installed a NAPA rebuilt steering gear in a 76 Royale. Also
installed Aluminum Wheels and goodyear g159 tires. Also had someone else
(mistake) rebuilt steering linkage. All significant moving parts should
be good! I have new front wheel bearings not yet installed - waiting for
tools - but no detectable play when wheel is jacked off the ground, so
bearings probably ok.
So a report on the 50 mile test drive...
Handling much improved over condition as purchased a few months ago. At
that time the 300 mile drive home was scary. Now, no fear. Very smooth
and stable at all speeds on smooth pavement with no wind. This drive
included an area known and posted as a high wind area, however, and the
GMC did not handle this condition as well as I had hoped. While not a
scary ride it required a great deal of steering wheel movement to keep
the GMC close to track. No problem staying in the lane, but not a
pleasant drive. Estimated cross wind gusts 20-25 mph.
I do not expect the GMC to drive like my 300 hp, 3400 lb, 300ZX Twin
Turbo ("the car that single-handedly shamed chevy into putting 300 hp
back into the Corvette." Quote from Motor Trend Magazine) but I am not
yet satisfied that this is as good as it gets. My feeling is that there
is too much play in the steering wheel. With the left front wheel jacked
up off the ground, even a very small steering wheel movement does
translate into movement of the tire, but at speed it takes far too much
steering wheel movement to correct for a wind gust.
installed Aluminum Wheels and goodyear g159 tires. Also had someone else
(mistake) rebuilt steering linkage. All significant moving parts should
be good! I have new front wheel bearings not yet installed - waiting for
tools - but no detectable play when wheel is jacked off the ground, so
bearings probably ok.
So a report on the 50 mile test drive...
Handling much improved over condition as purchased a few months ago. At
that time the 300 mile drive home was scary. Now, no fear. Very smooth
and stable at all speeds on smooth pavement with no wind. This drive
included an area known and posted as a high wind area, however, and the
GMC did not handle this condition as well as I had hoped. While not a
scary ride it required a great deal of steering wheel movement to keep
the GMC close to track. No problem staying in the lane, but not a
pleasant drive. Estimated cross wind gusts 20-25 mph.
I do not expect the GMC to drive like my 300 hp, 3400 lb, 300ZX Twin
Turbo ("the car that single-handedly shamed chevy into putting 300 hp
back into the Corvette." Quote from Motor Trend Magazine) but I am not
yet satisfied that this is as good as it gets. My feeling is that there
is too much play in the steering wheel. With the left front wheel jacked
up off the ground, even a very small steering wheel movement does
translate into movement of the tire, but at speed it takes far too much
steering wheel movement to correct for a wind gust.
