help !! DW and suspension problems 1971 fj40

[sneek]

Gets DW very easy. Has a SOA and SR . The shackles measure 4.5" center to center of the bolts. I noticed the front leaf springs look farther apart up front than they do at the rear where they hang from the shackles so I measured them . The rear of the springs are 2' 5 1/2 " when measuring outside edge to outside edge of the springs . They measured 2'6 3/4 " in the front . Is this correct??
I would think the distance apart front to rear would be the same . I think they welded the hangers too far apart in the front and I need to cut them off and reweld them closer togather so they measure the same as the rear of the springs.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
One more problem is having the SOA. What is the best way to lower it without going to a SUA. I WAS thinking I could do stock springs and shackles . I just don't like the amount of lift it has and would like it down 2" in the rear and down about 4" in the front.
Last but not least is there anyone in south Alabama that works on FJ40s in the Mobile area??
Thanks for taking the time to read my problems with this FJ40.

 

[Cdaniel]

DW? = Death Wobble?

 

[inkpot]

More info like what drive line, mods, springs, tires, etc. Pix would be best. The front leaf springs not being parallel is probably not causing your DW. Go find a shop that will set your rig up on an alllignment machine. Have them set the toe to OEM spec, and then just have them print out the readings for everything else. I'm willin to be your caster is real close to zero. Needs to be around 4 degrees. John

 

[sneek]

The drive line is stock as far as the drive shafts go. Has 35" tires with 30lbs of air and 1" wheel spacers front and rear. Not sure how to tell if its had a cut and turn though. The springs are rancho and shocks are pro comp. All of the shock bushings are well worn and need to be replaced. The spring and shackles bushings look good but I am replacing those as well. It also has 2 steering stabalizer shocks . I will try to post some pics ASAP. Thanks for the quick reply. Any more good advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bigneily]

Is the front pinion at a 90 degree with level ground?, Or is it aimed slightly upward at your output flange on the t/c? If it is most likely been cut and turned. Could also check the front leaf pack's for shim's?, And not been cut .

 

[reddingcruiser]

2X inkpot. Until you know what you have, you don't know where to go. My guess, from working on similar problems, is your problems involve some or all of the following: zero or too much negative caster and worn bushings, tie-rod ends or steering gear box. An alignment shop printout can also tell you if the cut and turn was done properly - I've seen sloppy work create as much as 2 degrees difference side to side.
Springs should be parallel. The center to center distance at each end should be the same as the center to center distance at the spring perches.

 

[bigneily]

I am currently doing spring bushing's on my rig at the moment, I've been noticing that although the bushing's visually look fine from the outside once they are apart the bore's appear to be quite worn. It's amazing how frickin tough some of them are to remove from the spring eye's.

 

[Slowerthanu]

Need pictures but it sounds like you have lift springs with a SOA conversion and that needs to be addressed immediately if you want to do anything but flop over when you do take it off road.

PICTURES