Making the Frontend Handle Better?
- Thread starter cdngearhead
- Start date
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cdngearhead said:
Why would you want to tie the shackles together? BAD BAD!
And why do you feel your front end doesnt handle well? Is it wobbling or something? Get your tires balanced, rebuild your knuckes, get a front end alignment and new shocks.... it should handle just fine. If you are expecting something more "sporty" get a car
check the sway bar?
I had an FJ60 where the sway bar links rusted out and broke...I kept saying, Man! this thing handles horribly on the road. Maybe that's the culprit if everything else looks good. Replacing the sway bar links is super easy...
Another thought is...if you have the original bushings, they might be just plain worn out. think about 24 squished, crappy rubber bushings - maybe each of them contributes about 1/16" (or less) play at each point. that's could be thought of as an aggregate of about an inch (+/-) play.
.....$.02....
I had an FJ60 where the sway bar links rusted out and broke...I kept saying, Man! this thing handles horribly on the road. Maybe that's the culprit if everything else looks good. Replacing the sway bar links is super easy...
Another thought is...if you have the original bushings, they might be just plain worn out. think about 24 squished, crappy rubber bushings - maybe each of them contributes about 1/16" (or less) play at each point. that's could be thought of as an aggregate of about an inch (+/-) play.
.....$.02....
- Thread starter
- #4
I meant welding the the 2 plates together inbetween the spring and the frame mount like the exspensive ones on ebay
it drives fine but needs to be able to rock and roll better as a daily driver, especially as I navigate the mountain highway to snowboard everyday and fight off all the bmw x5's on the way
it drives fine but needs to be able to rock and roll better as a daily driver, especially as I navigate the mountain highway to snowboard everyday and fight off all the bmw x5's on the way
cdngearhead said:
You probably need normal maintainence. Probably dont need to really change anything.
if by "handle better" you mean that the steering is too loose or sloppy, apart from the above suggestions, you should consider the condition of your tie rod ends, drag links, steering shaft column, and power steering gear box.
all of these components can contribute to excessive play at the steering wheel and impart the impression of poor handling.
my 2¢,
-dogboy- '87 FJ60
all of these components can contribute to excessive play at the steering wheel and impart the impression of poor handling.
my 2¢,
-dogboy- '87 FJ60
- Thread starter
- #9
suspension is good, just has bad rollover, gonna put some urethane swaybar bushings in this weekend that I have laying around, also gonna order some urethane shackle bushings
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
cdngearhead said:
Cool, do that and I'll predict it will make no difference. 99% of older FJ60s I have seen have loose or worn out drag link ends. You can pull the cotterpins and tighten them up which will buy you a bit of time. THe long term solution is a new TRE kit, and run the drag link ends a bit tighter than factory specs.
Also look for play in the wheel bearings and knuckle bearings.
- Thread starter
- #11
things that make u go Hmmmm
makes sense, i'll look at them
whats a TRE kit?
is that toyota jargon! i'm a chevy guy, u guys have to talk slower for me
makes sense, i'll look at them
whats a TRE kit?
is that toyota jargon! i'm a chevy guy, u guys have to talk slower for me
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
cdngearhead said:
Not jargon. The drag link connects the pittman arm to the tierod end on the right side of the truck. The ends are spring loaded. There are large tensioning screws held in place with a cotter pin. Pull out the pin, screw it down and back off about 1/4 turn. Reinstall cotter pin. If they are still loose, there is the nickle trick where you disassemble the end and but a nickel behind the cup that holds the ball of the drag link end. This is only a temporary fix. THe definitive fix is a new set of tie rod ends. The kit will include all 4 ends (2 tie rod, 2 drag link). You may want to service the knuckle as well. Good luck, FJ60s when worn can have some scary steering!
- Thread starter
- #13
yes thats it scary!
thx
thx
The rear sway bar is easy to add if you have the mounts already on the axle. The earlier models don't have them.
Is there a lot of slop in the steering wheel? You can check the wheel bearings by jacking up the wheel off the ground and grab it at 12 o clock and 6 and try to rotate the top towards/away from the engine.The new sway bar bushing should help and they are easy.
Is there a lot of slop in the steering wheel? You can check the wheel bearings by jacking up the wheel off the ground and grab it at 12 o clock and 6 and try to rotate the top towards/away from the engine.The new sway bar bushing should help and they are easy.
- Thread starter
- #15
no slop, box is nice and tight
I like the rear swaybar idea, I have a bunch of camaro units, but i'm going to the wrecker today to look for some rear shoulder belts for EXPAT, going to snoop around for swaybars too
will have this baby rally ready
I like the rear swaybar idea, I have a bunch of camaro units, but i'm going to the wrecker today to look for some rear shoulder belts for EXPAT, going to snoop around for swaybars too
will have this baby rally ready
cdngearhead said:
I've been to Northstar and Bigwhite and Silverstar - I know exactly what you're talking about!
Here's a post (from the FAQ) I put together a year ago about handling. Some of it might apply to your situation. If everything is tight, to spec, etc then I'd guess that three things will make a difference for you: tighten the TRE's, install a rear sway bar, and install new stiffer springs. The springs are expensive, but will reduce roll a lot. The stock springs are pretty soft.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=18543
Hope this helps!