77 steering problems (while driving)

F

firefighter1970

New member
Hello all, I have a 77' Scout II, 304. I have recently installed all new upper and lower ball joints, everything else was tight and in great shape, I also installed new energy bushings to replace the old rubber ones, also installed a new steering stablizier shock, the truck still wants to wonder down the road, especially when I hit a bump in the road, its scary to drive and feels like something is loose.
When I put on my plow the extra weight seems to keep the front end from bouncing around, any suggestions?
 
Two things on this:
-look closely at the wheel bearings. With a wheel off the ground, put one hand at 12, the other at 6 and try to rock the wheel as if you were moving the camber (you can't). So if there is play here, that could be part of your issue.
-the second is the inherent caster issue all scouts suffer from. Some are worse than others. Look in the archives for what others have done with 4-6 degree shims. You'll fine that when installed correctly, the yoke on the front diff will be lower to the ground than it used to be. This May add vibration at speed you didn't have before when in 4wd. You'll also come across the "cut and turn" procedure. Lots of info on this. Not always necessary, but definitely solves the problem (if done correctly).
The search feature will help, but your query needs to be exact. Just type in "caster" or "cut and turn." you'll be reading for a while.
 
Is there a thread on how/where to put these caster shims? I have a good friend that does Ford stuff all the time, he would probably know exactly what your talking about, I'm just not 100% sure.
 
I had the same problem with mine when I put new shackels on it. It wondered all over the road. I put 6* caster shims in and now it drives great. Make sure you put the shims in the right direction, I put them in the wrong way the first time, if you do you will know because it will be like driving a shopping cart backwards
 
Thank you for the reply, help me understand what everyone is talking about with the caster? I had someone look at my truck, its a solid axle and he said there is no adjustment, just camber adjustment. Are you talking about the shims that are under the axle under the perches by the u-bolts? I do see on both sides there are some spacers on each side, but I have not ever touched the u-bolts. Am I off track? Or even close to what your talking about?
 
Re: 77 steering problems (while driving) & ball Joint question!

Thank you all for your replies, I will get my alignment and see if it makes any difference on my front end.
I also put in new upper and lower ball joints and when we were installing everything back the lower stud or thread of the lower ball joint was hitting the inner front u-joint, we ended up having to grind the stud down before tightening the nut down, is this normal? Do ball joints have a different length on the stud shaft? I had a professional shop press them in also, and they only go so far as the snap ring has to fit. Has anyone else had problems with this? I was told it might be because I purchased cheap china ball joints?
 
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