Need some help with this guys.

[Silicon 70]

I've noticed my driver side front tire is sticking out more than the passenger side front tire. I really don't know what is causing it, but I sure would like to correct this little problem.

If anyone knows, its the folks on this forum because you've been working on cruisers longer than I have. I'm still considered a Rookie in this so please help. I've also provided a link because I can't put the pics up on here because they are too big. I did that on pupose so the pictures are very detailed. You can click on view image info once you are in the album to look ate the original image, which is HUGE.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/p...893219&mode=invite&DCMP=isc-email-AlbumInvite



Thanks in advance.

 

[T Y L E R]

I know as you lift a cruiser the front axle will shift one way and the rear another. I wonder if your coils are sagging dramatically if the opposite shift is possible?




TY

 

[Aussie cruiser]

I know as you lift a cruiser the front axle will shift one way and the rear another. I wonder if your coils are sagging dramatically if the opposite shift is possible?




TY

HUH Shouln't they both go the same way?

 

[reffug]

Yaa but look at the sig TY...................bone stock.

 

[T Y L E R]

HUH Shouln't they both go the same way?

No.


The front track bar's frame mount is driver side, whereas the rear track bar's frame mount is passenger side. Use the idea of limits (from math) to approach this. If I put really long coils on the 80, each axle will want to define a path down AND across towards it's track bar's frame mount side. Hence the front axle arcs down and towards the driver side, and the rear axle arcs down and towards the passenger side.

Now if we eliminated the coils all together for sake of argument (limits) we would see the opposite shift taking place. The limit of this new shift would be defined by the length of the track bars themselves. If they could, they would, in the absence of coils, be almost horizontal. Since in there stock setup the track bars are angled down, if you lay them horizontal they will in fact move FURTHER away from they're frame-side mounts in the horizontal.

Since his driverside tire is sticking out more, then I am not sure why unless he has lifted his cruiser quite a bit. The only other reason I, personally, can think of is because perhaps his front track bar is bent (ie: shortened).



TY

 

[powderpig]

I would not look to the body first. I would take a measurement from the inside of the tire to just behind the shock tower on both side. This will give you the tire or axle to frame distance., hence if you have a problem or not with the axle/frame alignment. Your body may of shifted, it could of been in a accident, is the wheel bearings tight, Lower control arms not bent, frame bent. all things to look at. Are both fender flares the same (different model years have different flare).
Yes Auzzie cruiser the panhards are attached on different sides both front and rear. So when you lift a cruiser the axles will go opposite directions. later robbie

 

[landtank]

first thing I'd check is the panhard/track bar bushings. They're what dictates the possition of the axle where you are concerned.

 

[Aussie cruiser]

Tyler

You guys not only have your steering wheels on the wrong side of the car but someone has stuck your front ends in backwards too.

It appears there is a differce between the left and right hand drive cruisers as mine has both panard rods running the same.

This would mean the offset from a lift on a right hand vehicle would be he same front and rear.

Learn something new every day.

 

[T Y L E R]

Pic meld for peeps to visualize the difference ..

 

[Tools R Us]

Tyler

You guys not only have your steering wheels on the wrong side of the car but someone has stuck your front ends in backwards too.

It appears there is a differce between the left and right hand drive cruisers as mine has both panard rods running the same.

This would mean the offset from a lift on a right hand vehicle would be he same front and rear.

Learn something new every day.

Yep, the panhard is parallel to the drag link to minimize bump steer, so ours are backwards.

 

[Tools R Us]

That's over a bunch, is the panhard bent?

 

[Silicon 70]

Okay these are some of the things I need to check for, if anyone else has a suggestion please chime in.

I'll check to see if the panhard rod is bent when comes back from the mechanic.

 

[Bob_Garrett]

Some additional questions for you.

How long have you had the truck?

When did you first notice the difference?

Any accidents?

Does it drive ok? No unusual noises?

Same wheel type on each side?

Have you tried swapping the wheels to the opposite side?

Sorry for the somwhat obvious questions, but I'm just trying to make sure we aren't overlooking something simple.

It almost looks like the left side has a different backspacing on the wheel or a wheel spacer.

Bob

 

[Silicon 70]

All the wheels are 16x8 OEMs. I am the third owner of the truck. There were no accidents reported on carfax when I checked it out. It drives great, straight as an arrow. I noticed it about 3 weeks ago, but never really took a close look at it since yesterday. There is no spacers on it too, I know because I did a knuckle job on her.

Yeah I really don't know what's causing it, but I suspect carfax only records the accident that is REPORTED.

Maybe I should take it to a frame alignment place just to see if the frame is out of whack.

 

[T Y L E R]

3 weeks ago eh? And you've had it for a while now .. the 80? Any marks on any of the tires? Or wheels? Like a dent, or smear? I had a old fart run his bumper into only the wheel/tire of my 4Runner so hard that it set off the full alarm .. in a beer store prkg lot, no less ..


Just wonder if someone could have punted the axle by accident while it was parked at the mall etc.




TY

 

[Silicon 70]

When I said 3 weeks ago, I suspected it was off, but paid no attention to it until yesterday. Oh and this truck doesn't go to the mall. Just haven't had the chance.

TY thanks for resizing the pics by the way.

 

[Silicon 70]

Ok, so what can I buy from MAF or Slee to correct something like this. I really don't want to go to the frame alignment guy.

 

[Capt. Jim]

If you have a frame problem, you need to fix the frame. As mentioned above, I would suspect the panhard bar/bushings. Also, check to see if there is any visual difference in the camber angle of both front wheels. My 80 was hit hard and threw the camber out so much is was visually noticeable. The camber is not adjustable on 80's and if it out, the axle housing is bent. I have seen other 80's with similar camber problems.

Don't rely on CarFax too much. My 80 didn't show up as an accident vehicle til about a year after the crash.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

 

[Silicon 70]

Hey guys, I got the back from the mechanic today. I found the panhard rod is bent. I was comparing mine to my brothers 96 FZJ and that's how I found out. Is there a way I can bend this rod back into shape or should I just get another one?

I'm assuming this rod is made out of thick solid steel. So it would be difficult to bend it back.

Okay time for some answers folks. Thanks again too.

 

[cruiserdan]

Replace it.