Steering Is TREACHEROUS on city streets!! Help

[blopez]

1972 jimmy 39.5 swampers - This is my first 4x4 and I am as green as it gets but when I drive at about 35 mph the whole vehical sways side to side so bad I can bearly keep it on the road. Is it just the big tires? Is there a steering shock thats could be bad? I can probably fix the problem If sent in the right direction.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[RootBreaker]

aight how bout some info and pics....

ok so steering...
I would check tie rod and front end by jacking it up and rock the tires.. top to bottom and left to right.. make sure your wheel bearings are good, tie rods are good

check steering gear box.. is it pulling off of the frame?

wiggle the steering wheel... is there steering play in the gearbox

there are others but make sure all else is good before you rule it on the tires.....

 

[blopez]

Thank You

There is a little play in the steering wheel.

I will take a look at all this stuff tonite. I think this web site is going to be very helpfull. I'll take some picture too.

Thank you,

Brian

 

[RootBreaker]

There is a little play in the steering wheel.

I will take a look at all this stuff tonite. I think this web site is going to be very helpfull. I'll take some picture too.

Thank you,

Brian

yes this site is VERY helpful.. most stuff can be found via searching... but some may not...

 

[RootBreaker]

oh yeah... also what front axle do you have?
do you have a steering stabalizer? people say that they mask problems.. but if you have one unhook it and check all.. once it is all good put it back on...

your steering parts for your lift may not be correct too.... if some of the lift parts are on an angle that can have a significant part of it too...
example would be like trying to use only a drop pitman arm for a 6" lift with a total of 12" suspension lift.....

also you may want to do a search on the site for cross over steering.. one of my best mods as I can now turn sharper (but need steering brace)

 

[blopez]

Front axle

I am assuming its the dana 44 but my wheels are 8 lugs I will look closer tonite.

Thanks

 

[Greg72]

1972 jimmy 39.5 swampers - This is my first 4x4 and I am as green as it gets but when I drive at about 35 mph the whole vehical sways side to side so bad I can bearly keep it on the road. Is it just the big tires? Is there a steering shock thats could be bad? I can probably fix the problem If sent in the right direction.

Thanks,

Brian

Sound like you've got Death Wobble.

Try a search on that term.....you'll find more information than you ever wanted to know.

.....you will probably be disturbed by the number of people who have experienced it, and how commonly it occurs.

 

[Mad-Dog]

Hmm....39.5's on a Dana44....Hmm
I can't imagine what the problem is....

how much is the truck lifted and what exactly does the lift consist of....blocks, springs, shackles.....?

 

[4trolls]

I have 39.5 s on a dana44 and no death wobble. I would check ball joints, steering components...you know the useal suspects

 

[Ryan B.]

Search: Death Wobble. Loose ubolts, balljoints, kingpins, Tie rod ends, drag link ends, steering box slop, this can all add up to deathwobble.


Did you try the "add fender washers to the D44 balljoints fix?"

 

[blazinzuk]

If the whole rig sways you might check things like the spring bushings tire pressure lug nut tightness u bolt tightness and if your shocks are shot or if they are adjustable and on a low setting it can cause this. 40" swampers are not the hot ticket for street driving, if you have never driven a big 4x4 it can be somewhat unnerving.

 

[85HeartBurb]

Hey I am down the street in san clemente I can take a peek aty it!!

this is my 74

 

[blopez]

Dana Point Jimmy - Brian

Yah, just say when I am home evenings and I am a block north of PCH on Golden Lantern. YOU CAN'T MISS the truck it's in my driveway. Corner of Golden Lantern and La Cresta.

Thanks alot.

Brian

 

[85HeartBurb]

here is a local site come check us out

http://www.scbd.org/

 

[blopez]

4x4 Club

Thanks for your interest, I am going out to No. Minnisota for 10 days on friday. I will come check you guys out as soon as I get back.

Looking forward to it,

Brian