80-Series won’t track straight (9 Viewers)

[roaminglost]

Hi everyone,
I need your advice on a steering issue with my ’90 80-Series. The truck won’t track straight. It fights the road over grooves and bumps, and I have to correct constantly

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

• Rebuilt the steering box and backed off the top adjuster screw
• Installed new tie-rod ends and drag-link ends
• Fitted a fresh heavy-duty steering damper
• Checked wheel bearings - no play
• Verified panhard bar and track-bar geometry
• Measured caster at 1.8° - too low for 37” tires and Dobinson lift
• Installed Delta 3” long control arms (3L) as per their website recommendation

It still wanders and bumps push the steering off course. Any ideas on what else to check or how to fix this?

I am getting an alignment to double check numbers Monday hopefully.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Tanner H]

Frame looks ok at the steering box? they tend to crack right there....maybe have someone turn the wheel while you take a closer look at the steering box/frame area.

 

[roaminglost]

Frame looks ok at the steering box? they tend to crack right there....maybe have someone turn the wheel while you take a closer look at the steering box/frame area.

Mines been reinforced already.

 

[Tanner H]

Ah Yeah i thought i remembered you said that a while back. Couldnt remember.

 

[NeverFinis]

Check your toe in, especially since you changed your relay rod. There are simple methods using string, tape measures, etc.

Professional Alignment is overkill for FJ80s...

 

[roaminglost]

Check your toe in, especially since you changed your relay rod. There are simple methods using string, tape measures, etc.

Professional Alignment is overkill for FJ80s...

Toe is def being checked. already having a shop help me but just cant figure it out.

 

[Outsane]

Have you raised the rear panhard?

Mine wandered a bunch until I got the panhard bracket from Delta.

 

[TheBussman]

sounds like a panhard issue if you have good castor numbers. what is your panhard angle?

 

[roaminglost]

Have you raised the rear panhard?

Mine wandered a bunch until I got the panhard bracket from Delta.

Yea it’s almost level.

 

[roaminglost]

sounds like a panhard issue if you have good castor numbers. what is your panhard angle?

 

[Outsane]

Hmm double check wheel bearings are tight.

Part time kit also made the steering lighter on the freeway for me, nice on long drives.

 

[Outsane]

Also check all the bushings with a pry bar.

 

[smritte]

I'm running the same front Delta arms. With 3" (ish) lift im about 3 degrees of caster. I have a part time kit which makes my front looser on the freeway. As was stated, toe, caster, rear panhard and bushings control wandering. On mine, I found the frame side hole for the front panhard, wallowed out badly. I have also had bad tire pull on some brands causing the vehicle to track weird on the freeway. This was a long time ago and name brand tires dont seem to have this issue. Cant say cheap off brand wont.

It still wanders and bumps push the steering off course.

This is called bump steer. Your front panhard and drag link need to be at the exact same angle. On our rigs, the only way this gets out of sync is if you move either away from stock. As you raise the vehicle they stay pretty much aligned. High steer can change this as well as repositioning the front panhard.

 

[roaminglost]

Hmm double check wheel bearings are tight.

Part time kit also made the steering lighter on the freeway for me, nice on long drives.

The wheel bearings are tight (check original post).My steering isnt hard to turn, it's light enough. The issue is that the truck needs to constantly be corrected left and right, micro turns to stay straight.

 

[roaminglost]

Also check all the bushings with a pry bar.

all bushings are new.

 

[roaminglost]

I'm running the same front Delta arms. With 3" (ish) lift im about 3 degrees of caster. I have a part time kit which makes my front looser on the freeway. As was stated, toe, caster, rear panhard and bushings control wandering. On mine, I found the frame side hole for the front panhard, wallowed out badly. I have also had bad tire pull on some brands causing the vehicle to track weird on the freeway. This was a long time ago and name brand tires dont seem to have this issue. Cant say cheap off brand wont.


This is called bump steer. Your front panhard and drag link need to be at the exact same angle. On our rigs, the only way this gets out of sync is if you move either away from stock. As you raise the vehicle they stay pretty much aligned. High steer can change this as well as repositioning the front panhard.

ill give this a further look.

 

[robnicko]

have you tried adjusting the tyre pressures? If theyre on the harder side will be more susceptible to tracking road snakes & grooves and less conforming to bumps. Maybe drop 4psi in each and see how that goes

 

[roaminglost]

have you tried adjusting the tyre pressures? If theyre on the harder side will be more susceptible to tracking road snakes & grooves and less conforming to bumps. Maybe drop 4psi in each and see how that goes

35PSI currently

 

[CruiserDave]

What was the reason for backing of the steering box adjuster? Could this change have caused enough slop/play to where you're now having to fight to keep it straight? Seems counter productive to loosen the adjuster thus causing more free play in the steering, or am I misunderstanding?

 

[roaminglost]

What was the reason for backing of the steering box adjuster? Could this change have caused enough slop/play to where you're now having to fight to keep it straight? Seems counter productive to loosen the adjuster thus causing more free play in the steering, or am I misunderstanding?

My pitman arm almost felt like it seized. So I turned it back because I think it was overtightened.