4 degree caster correction shims (1 Viewer)

[lextechautomotive]

I will mention this due to BBQ boy's delima with his concern of the extra effort required to turn the steering of his 40 since all of the mods we added. When i purchased my 40 the saginaw conversion had been done, but the pump is not there due to it now being a diesel. He drove my 40 and was impressed with the power steering, then i told him it was not operating due to the missing pump. In his defense i agree with him that his steering is much stiffer than mine, but mine has a severe case of wandering and darting off from side to side. The OME 2.5 lift kit had been added to mine along with what i bellieve to be 1.5" shackels. and could immediately tell that the vehicle had a negative caster issue when i firsttest drove it. The PO did notadd any caster correction shims after the lift. Well i finally had the time to have tha caster checked so that i could order tha appropiate shims The before reading was -2.3 DEGREES. Ordered 4 degree shims and installed them yesterday morning. WOW what a difference i can now drive without the white knuckle grip. But now the steering effort has doubled and will be trying to source the necessary partsto mount the power steering pump.

Sorry mike didn't meen to slam you like that but it's all in fun

 

[Brock]

so you called BBQBoy a sissy...and said his sister can drive the FJ40 twice as good as he could ever hope? That is cold!!!!!

 

[lextechautomotive]

I'm sure i'll reap the rath from mike on Satuday. I DESERVE IT.

 

[dbenke]

How about your drive shaft angle? I thought about adding shims to the front of my Jeep, but was worried the angle might be too much. I,ve gotten used to the wandering,as I don't drive it much now except on the trail. However, the P/S is working

 

[BBQ BOY]

I am pissed how hard it is to turn my 40. I have driven a few different 40's without PS and they had the same tires as mine. All of them turn 100% easier. What could be the issue? I do have a bent drag link and tie rod.

 

[dbenke]

That shouldn't do it unless it is bent so bad that the tie rod ends are binding.
I would check the knuckle bearings. Take the right side tie rod end loose and check for binding.
It shouldn't be that hard to turn, but with the tierods loose, you can check parts individually.

 

[mooker82]

What kind of shape is your steering box in? Do you have the stock (huge diamerter) steering wheel? I've got 34x10.5 swampers on mine and have no problems turning without PS.

I would try jacking up the front end and turning with the wheels off the ground. If you feel binding then start searching for the cause. If you tires turn easy up in the air well....time to hit the gym

 

[ocdbeetle]

My tires are small 30 x 9.50 but so is my steering wheel.....I'm probably the weakest of the bunch but I can turn mine extremely easy with no power assist......Does larger tires really toughen it that much?

 

[mooker82]

My tires are small 30 x 9.50 but so is my steering wheel.....I'm probably the weakest of the bunch but I can turn mine extremely easy with no power assist......Does larger tires really toughen it that much?

Larger are not near as much of a problem as wider. If you have a 35x12.5 on wide wheels with a large scrub radius it sucks. More aggressive tires are more difficult to turn sometimes too.