Author Topic: newb front end ? (Read 2412 times)

Ghtoyrunner · « **on:** Jan 17, 2009, 07:42:06 AM »

i just installed a lift in my 1985 4runner. i put f150s and rears up front. i took it out for a test run last night and i couldnt get over 30 with out major death wobble and a slight thud in the steering wheel. it feels like my front end is about to fall apart on me. (yes i tightened all the bolts) im wondering if the bushing in the springs could make it death wobble like crazy. if someone can give me some advice on how to make it better it would be very helpful. thanks.

4RunnerChevy · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 17, 2009, 07:59:38 AM »

Is your steering stock ? If you lifted the front and are using push pull steering, then you might need to lengthen the steering. Yes bushings can also be a problem. As a note, I run rears up front and no death wobble.

Ghtoyrunner · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 17, 2009, 08:46:52 AM »

no a put high steer on it. i think it might have to much tow on the wheels. i put 33s on it and i dont think they are balanced. today im going to throw the little tires back on and see what happens.

Ghtoyrunner · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 17, 2009, 02:50:16 PM »

also couldnt the toe make it want to wonder all over the road. it feels like the tires are fighting each other and makes it want to almost jump across the road. granted i didnt put shocks or a steering stabalizer on it yet. thats tomarrow nights project.

OOPS · « **Reply #4 on:** Jan 17, 2009, 04:35:10 PM »

Put the shocks on.

Set the toe between 1/8-1/4

What did you set the preload at on the trunion bearings?

Bushings could be shot, not only in the springs but the frame also.

Caster angle could be wrong it is supposed to be 1-2 degrees.

Shackles could be to loose.

sweetmeat · « **Reply #5 on:** Jan 17, 2009, 05:44:23 PM »

yup, what he said. also put that stabilizer on. also make sure you got equal air in the tires and at least 15lbs in them. mine gets a little wobbly with really low air pressure

whokrz · « **Reply #6 on:** Jan 17, 2009, 06:02:28 PM »

It was loose shackles on my death wobble.
It is not safe to drive with out shocks. You can't stop fast without them, it will tend to bounce really fast instead of slowing down.

Ghtoyrunner · « **Reply #7 on:** Jan 18, 2009, 06:36:10 AM »

ill check the shackles today and put the shocks on it. ill look over the bushings and possibly get new ones. the steering stabilizer is going to be put on today aswell.

thanks for the info. ill let you no if that helps out.

studentwheeler · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 18, 2009, 11:44:50 PM »

post up what you find because im about to be done with my RUF tomorrow...

studentwheeler · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 20, 2009, 08:44:27 PM »

just got done with mine and the front wheels seem to be "skipping" and "fighting" across the road just like you talked about....any ideas???

Ghtoyrunner · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 21, 2009, 02:46:52 PM »

did u put shocks and a steering stabilzer on it??? im still working mine out i think the trunion bears are off im working on. im still stomped. its wierd how some people do the same swap and they get none off this.

dirtchicken · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 21, 2009, 03:38:27 PM »

Quote from: Ghtoyrunner on Jan 21, 2009, 02:46:52 PM

its wierd how some people do the same swap and they get none off this.

It's not weird. It doesn't happen to some people because their trucks are set up correctly. A steering stabilizer is nothing more than a band aid for a problem in the front end.

Ghtoyrunner · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 21, 2009, 04:29:52 PM »

yes but it helps out. i think my problem is alianment. and i pretty sure i did every thing correctly.

studentwheeler · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 21, 2009, 05:02:11 PM »

Quote from: Ghtoyrunner on Jan 21, 2009, 02:46:52 PM

did u put shocks and a steering stabilzer on it??? im still working mine out i think the trunion bears are off im working on. im still stomped. its wierd how some people do the same swap and they get none off this.

yep, shocks and stabilizer are on.... My alignment was fine before i did the swap...Won't have time to tear into it this weekend but I'm going to start with the shackles and bushings and then see if there is any way that the center pins are not in the same alignment in their respective holes (one center pin is pushed to the front of the spring perch hole and the other pin is against the back of the spring perch hole) and causing the front axle to be slightly crooked....not sure that little bit could make a difference???

whokrz · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 21, 2009, 07:14:11 PM »

Quote from: studentwheeler on Jan 20, 2009, 08:44:27 PM

just got done with mine and the front wheels seem to be "skipping" and "fighting" across the road just like you talked about....any ideas???

Jack up a wheel and check if there is free play in the knuckle or wheel bearings? Grab the top and bottom of the tire and rock it back and forth there shouldn't be any play. If there is play your trunnion bearings or wheel bearings are loose or need replaced. Follow the instructions in the manual and use a pull scale.
Make sure your spring bushings are still in good condition then tighten the leaf spring bolts to 70lbs and u-bolts to 80lbs
Make sure the bolts to the shocks are tight
Set the toe at 1/8"
Set the tire pressure to the number found on the side of the tire. (when my pressure is low it likes to pull)

If you still have problems I would think the caster is out and you need to get a shim. A alignment shop can tell you what size you need.
The caster can be off if didn't use a drop hanger and or you have a lot of arch in your spring pack, even though it was fine stock.
Hope this helps, and when you get the bugs worked out it will be worth it.

93tonkatoy · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 21, 2009, 10:13:16 PM »

Also, check all of the tie rod ends for any free-play, and have the tires checked for balance.

Ghtoyrunner · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 22, 2009, 04:50:09 AM »

so i did what whokrz said and one off my trunion bearings is loose. so i tighted that last night and am putting my small tires on to see if that will help out at all. im doing the tow and shocks tonight. i hope this does the trick and i can finally go wheeling. i love snow wheeling!!!!

whokrz · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 22, 2009, 05:07:14 PM »

snow

I always worry about getting stuck, but I normally wheel alone too.

Ghtoyrunner · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 22, 2009, 07:35:41 PM »

haha i no snow sucks. but hey i fixed my death wobble. i spent like an hour doing the alinment and got the toe to 1/8. thanks for all the help. i also put in the front shocks and she can handle some speed now.

doing the rear shocks and rear brakes tomarrow.

whokrz · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 23, 2009, 08:29:27 PM »

Have fun in the snow and don't forget to bring your shovel.
$Beer Chug\'n$

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