steering issues

F

fireride

Member
I need advise! Im having some steering issues I can't figure out. Let me give a little run down.
72 sii, 345, auto, 4" Skyjacker,33" tires, all new bushings including body. 5" shackles. Dana 30 front, cut and turn 5 deg + caster. Toe in 1/8", replaced rag joint with ujoint. Has a rebuild steering gear box from IH only,installed by previous owner. Repacked wheel bearings. Have not replaced tie rod ends or ball joints. Ive tried to make them the problem but they have no play any direction. Ive played around with the lash in the gear box.

Now having said all that I still have some bump steer and wandering going down the road. This is my daily driver and I want it to drive straight. Im thinking of building a straight steer and maybe a rs. Any thought on where to go next. At least 10 times I have jacked up the front end and checked for loose components also checked on the ground with a helper lock to lock and just dont see any wore out parts. I dont want to throw good money after bad trying to track it down. Any held would be appreciated.
 
Assuming your ball joints are good, your frame is straight and it's aligned, have you thought about shocks and/or a steering stabilizer? It really sounds like your suspension bushings are trashed but you say they're new, right? There's no reason you shouldn't be able to take your hands off the wheel on the highway and it run straight with all you've said you've done.
 
Doing the shackle reversal does help out greatly for a daily driven rig. I installed two kits in two of my scouts and both times solved a lot of what you described. Even held up to the beatings of the rubicon..

If you're near s.f. Bay area, I'll be happy to help ya out in getting it set up.
 
Thanks for the input. All the bushings are new. Body, springs ,hangers, etc. Steering stabilizer already on. Frame straight? Alignment checked and good.

Reverse shackle on the work bench. Should be on sometime in the next couple weeks.

Don't get me wrong it goes straight. Just seems to wander and shift from side to side. Almost like an over center condition. I'll give an update when the reversal is done.
 
Sometimes bad steering is because parts are too tight; no returnability. You should be able to turn the steering wheel a few degrees off center on the highway, then let go and it should return to center.

You said you played with the steering gear. Any chance it is overtightened? I have done that before.
 
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