83 FJ60 Death Wobble and weird steering

[htorbush]

Okay I know there’s tons of threads and write ups on this site about this topic but hoping to save some time and get some of it condensed here. I picked up an 83 about 3 months ago and drove it 8 hours home. When taking sharp low speed turns like parking I noticed some clunking in the front end and wrote it off as being almost 40 years old until I noticed that mid turn it felt like the wheels just stopped turning. This was mostly at higher speeds around 50-60 mph. I made it home and quickly got to work taking care of it and drove it for about 2 months before it developed a death wobble. I have paper work showing TREs have been done as well as a full knuckle rebuild and bearings. Any ideas what this could be? Sorry for the long post and confusing rambling. Any help would be greatly appreciated TIA!!

 

[dbleon]

Clunk is likely spring bushings DW maybe related .

 

[Seth S]

have you verified that your front hubs are unlocking?

 

[dbleon]

Go through the following and check

Alignment
Wheel balance
Tire condition
Wheel bearing preload
U bolt torque
Tre
Spring bushings
Caster angle
Steering gear box
Steering stabilizer

The problem is going to be with one/more of the above. Likely a combination of all. Even when you get things in 100% order... you might not have moderately tolerable steering by today’s standards.

Welcome to the 60

 

[htorbush]

Go through the following and check

Alignment
Wheel balance
Tire condition
Wheel bearing preload
U bolt torque
Tre
Spring bushings
Caster angle
Steering gear box
Steering stabilizer

The problem is going to be with one/more of the above. Likely a combination of all. Even when you get things in 100% order... you might not have moderately tolerable steering by today’s standards.

Welcome to the 60

I don’t mind the steering feel of old cars, actually prefer it lol. But thank you for the tips! Will check those and come back!

 

[duncanrm]

Check that the bolts holding the steering box to the chassis rail are still tight.. I chased a steering issue for months, and then found all four steering box bolts loose.