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OK , I have to ask , what is " bumpsteer"
I probabley know , but have not heard it called that /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
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In the case of an independent front suspension, Bumpsteer is a change in Toe of your front tires as your suspension travels up or down, without the steering wheel moving. If you think about it, the tie rods travel in an arch around a radius, the center point being the inner tie rod end. Picture a point in the suspension travel where the tie rod is level, this is where the distance from the center of the vehicle to the outer tie rod end is the greatest. Now picture the suspension at full droop, where the tie rod is angled down towards the outer tie rod end. At this point the distance from the center of the vehicle to the outer tie rod end is shorter and the tire will either tow-in or out, depending on whether it has front or rear steer, causing the vehicle to steer in that direction without any steering wheel movement.
In our Blazers it’s a little different because it is the Adjustable Connecting Rod that connects the Pitman Arm (arm off the steering box) to the Steering Arm that travels around a radius between the Pitman Arm and the Steering Arm as the suspension cycles up and down, causing the steering arm to move back and forth as the distance shrinks and grows.
Check out Bumpsteer for a good explanation.
Regarding “Death Wobbles” if all ball joints, tie rod ends and other suspension components are in good shape, the most common cause is being out of toe, but another culprit could be Caster which is not really “adjustable” on our trucks as it is built in to the axle, spring perches and springs. Your caster could be off (not enough caster) due to old springs or after market lift springs that are not correctly built.
P.s. Your Sway Bar has nothing to do with your problem.
OK , I have to ask , what is " bumpsteer"
I probabley know , but have not heard it called that /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
In the case of an independent front suspension, Bumpsteer is a change in Toe of your front tires as your suspension travels up or down, without the steering wheel moving. If you think about it, the tie rods travel in an arch around a radius, the center point being the inner tie rod end. Picture a point in the suspension travel where the tie rod is level, this is where the distance from the center of the vehicle to the outer tie rod end is the greatest. Now picture the suspension at full droop, where the tie rod is angled down towards the outer tie rod end. At this point the distance from the center of the vehicle to the outer tie rod end is shorter and the tire will either tow-in or out, depending on whether it has front or rear steer, causing the vehicle to steer in that direction without any steering wheel movement.
In our Blazers it’s a little different because it is the Adjustable Connecting Rod that connects the Pitman Arm (arm off the steering box) to the Steering Arm that travels around a radius between the Pitman Arm and the Steering Arm as the suspension cycles up and down, causing the steering arm to move back and forth as the distance shrinks and grows.
Check out Bumpsteer for a good explanation.
Regarding “Death Wobbles” if all ball joints, tie rod ends and other suspension components are in good shape, the most common cause is being out of toe, but another culprit could be Caster which is not really “adjustable” on our trucks as it is built in to the axle, spring perches and springs. Your caster could be off (not enough caster) due to old springs or after market lift springs that are not correctly built.
P.s. Your Sway Bar has nothing to do with your problem.
