80-Series won’t track straight (15 Viewers)

[Broski]

35PSI currently

IMO 35PSI is to much for 37s
The bigger the tire the lower the pressure.
Lots of info on the net about this.
I run my 39s at 25 PSI

 

[COS80]

IMO 35PSI is to much for 37s
The bigger the tire the lower the pressure.
Lots of info on the net about this.
I run my 39s at 25 PSI

Where, for example? I wrote BFG re: proper pressure for my 35s, and they told me 35psi. The text they provided was identical to that of some online calculator, which claims "tires of this size" need to be at or above 35psi, but my chalk test shows 35 is way too high. I haven't found anything reputable on which to be confident the chalk test should override BFG.

 

[Broski]

Where, for example? I wrote BFG re: proper pressure for my 35s, and they told me 35psi. The text they provided was identical to that of some online calculator, which claims "tires of this size" need to be at or above 35psi, but my chalk test shows 35 is way too high. I haven't found anything reputable on which to be confident the chalk test should override BFG.

Google is your friend.
BFG is going to cover there a**
I’m covering my A** by saying IMO
Trust the chalk test. BFG can’t test every vehicle and if you’re running a E rated Tire their specs will be too high.

 

[mudgudgeon]

My pitman arm almost felt like it seize

How did you make that judgement?

 

[roaminglost]

How did you make that judgement?

By taking the pump off and trying to turn it

 

[mudgudgeon]

By taking the pump off and trying to turn it

By trying to rotate the pitman arm?
You have something like an 18:1 ratio working against you. I'm not sure this would give you any indication.

( not certain on the steering ratio. 18:1 is what's stuck in my brain)

 

[MooseMichaels]

Following along as my 80 seems to be all over the road also, and I've been chasing ghosts trying to get it to track nicely. I've done most things in your original post, including adding an extra half degree (iirc) of toe-in from the factory alignment. IMO the extra toe-in didn't make a significant difference. I may try dropping my front tire pressures as suggested above.

Have not had steering gear rebuilt, but plan to send it to redhead who said they oversize the circulating bearings when rebuilding to get it back to spec.

You said your caster was a bit low - maybe try adding some additional caster with brackets or eccentric bushings?

 

[roaminglost]

I ended up swapping to Delta 5L and it got me to +3 castor from 0 (with 3L)... So still not perfect but drives better. I think 2 more degrees would feel better. but i cant afford to keep swapping arms lol.

 

[landtank]

Bent LCA maybe

 

[daytonadogie]

My latest 80 was all over the road till I tightened up the steering box. Do you have much slop in the steering wheel turning left to right? You should only have to back off the adjustment screw about 1/2 turn after bottoming it out.

 

[CivicFerio]

I ended up swapping to Delta 5L and it got me to +3 castor from 0 (with 3L)... So still not perfect but drives better. I think 2 more degrees would feel better. but i cant afford to keep swapping arms lol.

Have you inspected the rag joint? PN 45230-60010? My 80 also on the same boat steering wise. I can't seem to get it to tighten up. I have driven 80s with 350K miles that tracks tighter than mine. I spoke with one owner and he said he was able to fix it by getting a brand new steering box.

 

[roaminglost]

My latest 80 was all over the road till I tightened up the steering box. Do you have much slop in the steering wheel turning left to right? You should only have to back off the adjustment screw about 1/2 turn after bottoming it out.

I tried this. Helped a bit.