Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

vinnieTy

vinnieTy

TY # 1889
I finally took my truck out for a ride. Before i did I changed the oil checked all fluids and changed all my vac lines. The truck starts and purrs great except when im driving. Before i get into my issue just wanted to say that i redid my entire front end. Poly graphite bushing through out. upper and lower control arms bushings, idler arm, pitman arm, zq8 box, upgraded to front dual piston brakes. Anything i could have changed in the front end i pretty much did, at least i think i did.....Now to the issue the truck pulls left and right so much when i hit the waves in the road that it is dangerous. It has so much play in the steering wheel that i can not trust myself to go more then 55MPH maybe 60 if no one is around me. I did notice when i started to check the front end out last night that the drivers front wheel has little play. What i mean is with the front jacked up and you put one hand at 3oclock and one hand at 9oclock you can feel a little movement. Even if you try at 12 and 6. It is so small that you cant video tape it. But the passenger side has no movement. I am thinking the hub is bad. I do have big rims and tires 9.5 front that can cause this to be worse but there has to be a way to get this thing tight as possible. What can it be......

I just remembered the only thing i didnt do was to replace the steering shaft. Will changing the shaft and hub bearing fix this.

How are people getting rid of all the slack int he steering wheel. I cant stand it.

All help would be appreciated.

thanks
 
crazykaese

crazykaese

91ProtoTy/IndyPaceTribute & Sawzall Master
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

When I had everything replaced in my Typhoon frontend I also had them set the alignment to a specific setup. I got the numbers from Jeff Scott since I also did his coilover frontend. The settings might be only correct for his setup - I can ask him for you if you like.

Mine doesn't wander at all. It's actually twitchy tight. Must be Renz's shaft that makes it like that - HA!
 
NecroWolf

NecroWolf

lost marbles member
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

that rag joint gets sloppy, switch it out. did you get a new steering box or used? i'd check the ball joints too if you didn't change them
 
Luke

Luke

Fish sticks SUCK !!!
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

did you get it aligned after all the front end work, Doesnt really sound like it..
 
vinnieTy

vinnieTy

TY # 1889
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

cloned 1 said:
did you get it aligned after all the front end work, Doesnt really sound like it..
Click to expand...
Sorry guys but i dont know how to reply back to all in one post. Yes i did get it aligned not that much needed but it is dead center.
 
vinnieTy

vinnieTy

TY # 1889
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

MikeRenz said:
ditch it. Its a quick cure to a lot of slop.
Click to expand...

Where can i get one. I guess its time for some searching...anyone can direct me who sells them...thanks
 
vinnieTy

vinnieTy

TY # 1889
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

NecroWolf said:
that rag joint gets sloppy, switch it out. did you get a new steering box or used? i'd check the ball joints too if you didn't change them
Click to expand...

the steering box i bought from a member of this forum (spolledup). It was a rebuilt one.
 
vinnieTy

vinnieTy

TY # 1889
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

NecroWolf said:
that rag joint gets sloppy, switch it out. did you get a new steering box or used? i'd check the ball joints too if you didn't change them
Click to expand...

Yes i did change balljoints all of them..
 
2

2kwik4u

Resident slow guy
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

Sounds like you need to get a good alignment on there. Everything else sounds new, and in good condition.

5 or more degrees of caster should be the VERY VERY minimum on a wide tired from end. If your normal shop won't align to your specs, find somewhere else to go. Also ask them to be EXACTLY TO the specs you give them, not just "within range".

"best" specs are something like below

0 to -1/2* of camber
5*+ caster
0 to 1/8"in toe
 
vinnieTy

vinnieTy

TY # 1889
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

2kwik4u said:
Sounds like you need to get a good alignment on there. Everything else sounds new, and in good condition.

5 or more degrees of caster should be the VERY VERY minimum on a wide tired from end. If your normal shop won't align to your specs, find somewhere else to go. Also ask them to be EXACTLY TO the specs you give them, not just "within range".

"best" specs are something like below

0 to -1/2* of camber
5*+ caster
0 to 1/8"in toe
Click to expand...

Are these the specs that should be for 9.5 wide rims?
 
NecroWolf

NecroWolf

lost marbles member
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

i have the one supersports10 sells, it's solid and pretty nice, i had to do a little clean up of some slag to get it to slide on but nothing major. with you engine off and your key in the on position you can have someone crank the wheel back and forth to check for slop in the steering
 
Don W.

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

Find, and fix, that bit of slop, fix the steering shaft, and do the custom alignment and you should be good. The custom alignment made all the difference in my truck. Wide (wider that stock) tires may need a different toe. Steering gear itself, when on center, should have -0- play.
 
vinnieTy

vinnieTy

TY # 1889
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

Don W. said:
Find, and fix, that bit of slop, fix the steering shaft, and do the custom alignment and you should be good. The custom alignment made all the difference in my truck. Wide (wider that stock) tires may need a different toe. Steering gear itself, when on center, should have -0- play.
Click to expand...

These are the specs 2kiwik4u stated do you recommend the same?

"best" specs are something like below

0 to -1/2* of camber
5*+ caster
0 to 1/8"in toe
 
2

2kwik4u

Resident slow guy
Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

The wider the tire, the more caster you will want.

Caster is the angle of the line made between the two balljoints as compared to vertical. Positive is the top towards the rear of the truck. 5* is the minimum I like to run (I run 275's on the front of my 2wd), and would take more if I could get it. The more caster you have the more the spindle will try to remain pointed straight. Your steering effort will go up some as a result of this, but not enough to worry about. The extra little effort is well worth a straight tracking vehicle!!

I have about 1/4" toe in on my truck right now and it needs WAY less. I'm going to set it closer to 0 toe. If you autocross or road race very often, I would set it to 1/8" or so toe out. It will dart like a sumbiotch with any toe out though, so adjust that setting carefully, and be ready for it!
 
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