Steering: '72 Good Enough?

A

AndrewGnj

New member
I've been working on my '72 Scout II steering/suspension and I am wondering if I have reached "good enough". I would like steering to be better but where I am right now is much better than any Scout I have ever had/driven.

1972 Scout II
345
4 speed manual (t18)
Dana 30/44
power steering
SUA

my mostly stock Scout was driving poorly, back and forth slop in the wheel of a couple of inches, wandering and a significant body roll(flop).

After much reading I came up with a game plan and did the following:

1. All new rubber spring bushings(old were metal to metal)
2. New body bushings plus 1" lift bushings
3. 5" shackles
4. Reinforcement plate at steering box
5. Replaced both steering joints with borgeson's
6. 4 deg shims, fat end forward
7. New shocks

still have old tires and haven't done an alignment.

My only complaint is that the steering feels to "easy" or "dead". It drives straight but there is no real "feedback" although I can feel rocks in the road which I presume is because of the borgeson vs the rag joint. From reading every post I could find on the subject, I assumed my castor was off. When I check (the best I can) with a digital angel finder, it looks like it is between 0 and -1 castor.

Do I try at 6 deg shim? Or am I over doing it?

Lack of feedback in the steering is a bit unnerving.

Thanks!
 
Very good start, don't stop. That sounds like classic lack of caster, but how old, worn out, are the ball joints, drag link, and tie rod ends? Wheel bearings? Shocks? Slop in steering box? A bunch of old worn parts add up. Also what diameter steering wheel are you running?

I would definitely add more caster, just make sure your pinion yoke doesn't bind on full droop. It probably will from what Jeff posted the other day. If that happens he has offset u-joints you can buy.
 
Rm...thanks.

I think I will try 6 deg and see what the binding looks like.

Shocks are new. Steering box has been adjusted and appears to have very little "slop" left in it.

Wheel bearings, ball joints and drag link are probably all original so I assume they aren't in great shape although I cannot see any issue when I get in there and handle them. 45k miles on it so I am sure they are worn/just tired.

Since castor is between 0 and -1, I assume adding 2 deg May help. I will then take it to someone to check the remaining front end questions you bring up.

Thanks
 
Sounds like a plan. More caster and new tires will probably make the most difference. Even a brand new saginaw box has a little play so you're good there. When I mentioned the steering wheel I was wondering if you still had one of those huge factory monstrosities. They really kill steering response.
 
Ha ha...I do have one of those monstrosities but it is one of those things that is very "Scout" to me....so I will keep it. Funny, that huge wheel was a great idea without power steering but with power steering, it is over kill!
 
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