Sloppy Steering with oversize tires and OME suspension

[arcteryx]

Hey all,

I recently purchased a BJ70 with 397K km on it. It has 33x12.5 tires and an OME suspension. Records indicate it was ordered/installed at the end of 1998. My problem is, the steering is very sensitive. If I go over a bump or down a two land road that has some bumps in it, the vehicle gets "thrown" around. My concern is with safety obviously- a bump can throw the vehicle into the other lane. Is this normal with oversize tires and the OME suspension? I have looked and there is an aftermarket steering stabilizer on it. The ride is soft and going around corners/turns you can feel the body roll. There is not a lot of play in the wheel, just that it is, well, extremely sensitive.

thx
jason

 

[Greg_B]

Hey all,

I recently purchased a BJ70 with 397K km on it. It has 33x12.5 tires and an OME suspension. Records indicate it was ordered/installed at eh end of 1998. My problem is, the steering is very sensitive. If I go over a bump or down a two land road that has some bumps in it, the vehicle gets "thrown" around. My concern is with safety obviously- a bump can throw the vehicle into the other lane. Is this normal with oversize tires and the OME suspension? I have looked and their is an aftermarket steering stabilizer on it. The ride is soft and going around corners/turns you can feel the body roll. There is not a lot of play in the wheel, just that it is, well, extremely sensitive.

thx
jason

Sounds like you might have some major bump steer going on. What is the angle of your relay rod? I know some 70 owners find a 60 series pitman arm and swap it out to reduce the rod angle when they put on the latest OME 70 series lifts (before Dakar).

Other then that check:

Knuckle bearings
Tierod ends, and adjust the ends.
Spring bushings
Wheel bearing preload

You are not talking about a violent shaking of the steering wheel back and forth that can not be controled unless you almost stop the vehicle...are you? (aka death wobble).

hth's

gb

 

[Tapage]

just to discard one issue .. go to some alignment shop and ask about you caster measurements.

 

[arcteryx]

Thanks for the advice on both topics. Never heard of bump steer before.

Greg, it is not death wobble. As far as measuring the angel of your relay rod, where do you take the measurement from?

 

[Greg_B]

Thanks for the advice on both topics. Never heard of bump steer before.

Greg, it is not death wobble. As far as measuring the angel of your relay rod, where do you take the measurement from?

1st pic head on is bad relay rod angle. 2nd pic from the side is with high steer, and is a much better angle. Bumpsteer effects can be enhanced from all the other stuff mentioned being in poor shape. Good note on the caster; have a shop check it out and give you the results.

hth's

gb

 

[mikeyT]

Is this normal with oversize tires and the OME suspension?

No, it's not normal.

I have a similar setup with OME and have no such issues.

I agree: go get things checked out at the alignement shop.

 

[bj70_guy]

I had pretty good bump steer on my 70 when the OMEs went on. The 60 series pitman arm has more of a drop to it, it helped mine out quite a bit. Do you have the Emu stabilizer?

 

[Tapage]

Use a OME steering damper or a second steering damper, maybe help you to cover other real issue ..

The caster is a very sensitive measurement ..

 

[arcteryx]

I do have a stabilizer, not sure what brand- will have to look. Will post a pic of the angle tomorrow showing the stabilzer and rod angle.