How does your short bed handle? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Squareforceone · 03-31-2016, 11:32 PM

I hate the handling on my 1990 gmc 1500 shortbed. It just steers really weird like it doesn't like to make sharp turns. I find myself catching curbs constantly. I have a hard time in tight turns in parking lots too like it wants to hop if that makes sense and the tires will squeal. I thought somebody had too big of tires on the front causing it to affect the turning radius. but it has 235 75 15's on the front which I think is the factory size

91short · 04-01-2016, 12:37 AM

Sounds like something is wrong with it, when was the last alignment done? Have you inspected any of the suspension to see if there's anything broken? Is the front or back hopping? What tires are squealing? Is it 2 or 4 wheel drive?

OutlawDrifter · 04-01-2016, 10:18 AM

my 2wd rcsb pickup was very nimble. if yours is 4wd and the front tires are chirping and jumping, sounds like the front wheels are locked in.

if its the back tires, maybe somebody put a spool in the rear end.

Squareforceone · 04-01-2016, 01:09 PM

It's a 2 wheel drive. Totally stock no spool in the rear. I just had it up on the lift the other night and all the steering and suspension parts where fine and I regressed all the zerks. I'm probably probably making it out to be more than it is. The squealing is just like tires being dragged across the pavement when the wheel is locked one way. It just handles very strangely compared to my 84 long bed I guess. It does have some pretty old dry rotted tires on it though I suppose could be part of it

Tom · 04-01-2016, 01:11 PM

When its really hot out and with certain tires I'll get my front's doing the hop in parking lots at full lock. Almost like its wrinkling the sidewalls up and then they let go like a rubber band. Only does this at full lock in parking lots, otherwise my handling is amazing, planted and nimbly bimbly.

Keith Seymore · 04-01-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squareforceone

I have a hard time in tight turns in parking lots too like it wants to hop if that makes sense and the tires will squeal.

Does it have a "locking diff" (RPO G80) or an open diff?

Sounds like the locker might be sticking and it's time to add some "whale oil" posi additive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squareforceone

The squealing is just like tires being dragged across the pavement when the wheel is locked one way.

Can you tell if it is the front or rear being dragged? Front wheel could be "ackerman angle" which would indicate an alignment issue.

K

Alignman88 · 04-17-2016, 09:26 PM

Typical GM full size front end geometry. These trucks don't have really any difference in turning angle, that's why all the idler arms have an allowable amount of play. In a tight turn the outside tire is being pushed/scrubbed. Excessive toe in can make it worse, best to check alignment and don't cramp the steering that hard.

03-31-2016, 11:32 PM	#1
Squareforceone Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Rustville USA or southeast Ia Posts: 654	How does your short bed handle? I hate the handling on my 1990 gmc 1500 shortbed. It just steers really weird like it doesn't like to make sharp turns. I find myself catching curbs constantly. I have a hard time in tight turns in parking lots too like it wants to hop if that makes sense and the tires will squeal. I thought somebody had too big of tires on the front causing it to affect the turning radius. but it has 235 75 15's on the front which I think is the factory size __________________ Rust is better than rice.

04-01-2016, 12:37 AM	#2
91short Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Hemet, CA Posts: 129	Re: How does your short bed handle? Sounds like something is wrong with it, when was the last alignment done? Have you inspected any of the suspension to see if there's anything broken? Is the front or back hopping? What tires are squealing? Is it 2 or 4 wheel drive?

04-01-2016, 10:18 AM	#3
OutlawDrifter Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Northeast KS Posts: 1,777	Re: How does your short bed handle? my 2wd rcsb pickup was very nimble. if yours is 4wd and the front tires are chirping and jumping, sounds like the front wheels are locked in. if its the back tires, maybe somebody put a spool in the rear end. __________________ 1999 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT, 454/4L80E 1991 Z/28, 6.0L/T56 1949 GMC 250, S10 Frame, 6.0L/4L80E Instagram @aceshighspeedshop

04-01-2016, 01:09 PM	#4
Squareforceone Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Rustville USA or southeast Ia Posts: 654	Re: How does your short bed handle? It's a 2 wheel drive. Totally stock no spool in the rear. I just had it up on the lift the other night and all the steering and suspension parts where fine and I regressed all the zerks. I'm probably probably making it out to be more than it is. The squealing is just like tires being dragged across the pavement when the wheel is locked one way. It just handles very strangely compared to my 84 long bed I guess. It does have some pretty old dry rotted tires on it though I suppose could be part of it __________________ Rust is better than rice.

04-01-2016, 01:11 PM	#5
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,706	Re: How does your short bed handle? When its really hot out and with certain tires I'll get my front's doing the hop in parking lots at full lock. Almost like its wrinkling the sidewalls up and then they let go like a rubber band. Only does this at full lock in parking lots, otherwise my handling is amazing, planted and nimbly bimbly. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

04-17-2016, 09:26 PM	#7
Alignman88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: House Springs, MO Posts: 5	Re: How does your short bed handle? Typical GM full size front end geometry. These trucks don't have really any difference in turning angle, that's why all the idler arms have an allowable amount of play. In a tight turn the outside tire is being pushed/scrubbed. Excessive toe in can make it worse, best to check alignment and don't cramp the steering that hard.



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