Scout survivor
New member
64 Scout 80 4WD Dana 27 front axle open differential: 2 issues, most important, significant shimmy (death wobble) at 35 mph, goes away at 20 mph. Bearings on both sides just replaced and tightened correctly (I think). With front tires off the ground, 12:6 push/pull shows no movement either side, but definite movement on 3:9 push/pull. No detectable wobble when pulling in and out on either wheel. When tires are engaged on ground and steering wheel is turned, the pitman arm seems to "jump" in its slot in the drag arm. This doesn't happen when tires are off the ground. Do I replace the drag arm to fix the problem? The tie rod seems to be solidly engaged with the steering knuckle
Second problem. Before putting on the Warn locking hubs, the axle on the pass side has a lot of play in all directions, including in-out. Once the inner part of the locking hub is on, along with the snap ring, the play goes away (since it should as the splines of the axle are engaged with the locking hub) but there is still some in-out movement. Then, with all wheels off the ground and both front wheels locked and in 4WD, with engine running and in 1st gear, the driver side turns as expected but the passenger side does not (occasional small amount of movement) Locking hubs switched sides- same problem. With engine off, but still engaged in 4WD and wheels locked, when I turn the driver side by hand, the pass side turns the opposite direction. The same is true when I turn the passenger side by hand. I actually pulled the axles out when I changed the bearings, I don't recall any major issues, certainly not a broken shaft, but I'm less familiar with spline issues. And, when I changed the front diff fluid (had to take off the cover to do so) I didn't see any major issues inside on the differential. What is going on? Is this in any way part of the cause of the shimmy?
Second problem. Before putting on the Warn locking hubs, the axle on the pass side has a lot of play in all directions, including in-out. Once the inner part of the locking hub is on, along with the snap ring, the play goes away (since it should as the splines of the axle are engaged with the locking hub) but there is still some in-out movement. Then, with all wheels off the ground and both front wheels locked and in 4WD, with engine running and in 1st gear, the driver side turns as expected but the passenger side does not (occasional small amount of movement) Locking hubs switched sides- same problem. With engine off, but still engaged in 4WD and wheels locked, when I turn the driver side by hand, the pass side turns the opposite direction. The same is true when I turn the passenger side by hand. I actually pulled the axles out when I changed the bearings, I don't recall any major issues, certainly not a broken shaft, but I'm less familiar with spline issues. And, when I changed the front diff fluid (had to take off the cover to do so) I didn't see any major issues inside on the differential. What is going on? Is this in any way part of the cause of the shimmy?