bigbchscj7
Bone Stock
Posts:6
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| 02/21/2005 3:17 PM |
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| I recently installed a dick cepek 3 1/2 in. lift and a set of 35" mickey thompson tires on my '89 yj. This was my first suspension install and it went pretty good but i am having trouble with my steering now. When i hit a bump on the road at over 30mph the front end goes crazy. Does anyone know what i might have done wrong or something that might fix this problem? I still have the stock steering stabilizer on and was wondering if that might be the problem. Do i need a heavy duty one? I would appreciate any help! |
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stagewest
Bone Stock
Posts:20
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| 02/21/2005 5:55 PM |
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It is a common problem, it is called the "death wobble".
It is usually in the tires or a loose front end part.
Do you have Radial tires? If so you might play around w/ tire pressure and make sure there balanced. Check your ft. end parts like ball hoints and trac bar. Replace your steering stab with a heavy duty unit. Hope this helps. |
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Joel Snider
Stage West 4-Wheel Drive Center
6700 Hwy 82 - Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 - PH: (970) 945-5227
http://www.stagewest4x4.com
4by4@crimsonwireless.com
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 02/21/2005 6:32 PM |
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Joel - can't this be caused by bad caster as well? Or is the 3.5" lift not tall enough to cause a bad caster angle on a YJ?
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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stagewest
Bone Stock
Posts:20
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| 02/21/2005 7:24 PM |
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| Bad caster can also cause a death wobble, but it is not usually changed much during a lift install on a leaf spring rig. unless a shim was install incorrectly or something. When you have a alignment make sure the caster is not over spec. |
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Joel Snider
Stage West 4-Wheel Drive Center
6700 Hwy 82 - Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 - PH: (970) 945-5227
http://www.stagewest4x4.com
4by4@crimsonwireless.com
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bigbchscj7
Bone Stock
Posts:6
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| 02/22/2005 3:12 PM |
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| Thanks for the help! My tires are 35x13.5 baha claws not radials(i don't think). I am going to order a steering stabilzer and see if that helps. If not i will try get them rebalenced. I was looking at the front end parts and i did notice some play but i am really not sure how much if any is supposed to be there. I can twist the arms with my hands and get some movement. Thanks again for yall help! |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 02/22/2005 4:33 PM |
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If you can twist the tie-rod, that's normal. It's the side-to-side slop in the tie-rod, drag link or ball joints that are of concern.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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stagewest
Bone Stock
Posts:20
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| 02/22/2005 6:07 PM |
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| you might not be able to fix the problem w/bias ply tires. If you drive it on the road I always recommend radial tires. let us know what you find. |
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Joel Snider
Stage West 4-Wheel Drive Center
6700 Hwy 82 - Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 - PH: (970) 945-5227
http://www.stagewest4x4.com
4by4@crimsonwireless.com
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Rockster
Bone Stock
Posts:4
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| 03/02/2005 12:32 PM |
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| Also, make sure the drag link and track bar are parallel. You may need to change the pitman arm drop to accomplish this. I found that after doing my lift and suspension work and larger tires, that the front end components needed to be very tight. Also found that a key improvement occured when I adjusted the tow to 0" to 1/4" tow in. For me, 1/8" tow in worked just right and completely eliminated the problem once I got the rest of the system tight. |
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bigbchscj7
Bone Stock
Posts:6
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| 03/24/2005 3:54 PM |
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| Well guys i changed out my steering stabilizer and retightend a few nuts and bolts and its great. Thanks for all yall info and help. I will try to get some pics and post them later. Thanks again! |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 05/16/2005 4:32 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by bigbchscj7
Well guys i changed out my steering stabilizer and retightend a few nuts and bolts and its great. Thanks for all yall info and help. I will try to get some pics and post them later. Thanks again!
It is under control now but when you raised it you changed the caster angle on front axle and the stabilizer is kinda a bandaid fix for it. You should shim front spring pads to reset caster angle to get back to square one. You want to tip the top of the axle knuckles back (to rear of vehical) about 1.5 degrees or so |
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Visit the SnoMan at
www.thesnoman.com |
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