Steering Stabalizer Upgrades?

[Bostonfj60]

Hey all,

My 1980 FJ40 is nearly impossible to keep going down a straight line. I'm coming from a 60 series with smaller tires, so I expected some 'wondering', but this is almost dangerous. I hit an uneven road, and randomly, the truck will shift left or right, fairly violently.

My rig is built, with a lift + shackle reversal. Stock Power steering. and I am currently running Q's for tires.

I've gone through the steering system and looked for excessive slop, but everything is nice the tight...drag link/tie rod ends are in great shape, ect...

So, I'd like to see how others have dealt with this. I currently have an Old Man Emu Stabalizer on it, that is in good shape. I was thinking about adding a second stabilizer (The Heckethorn one from Man-A-Fre)

Thoughts?

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! I would first put time and money into alignment work. Take it into a shop and get an alignment "readout only". The only thing they can adjust is toe in, so you could let them do that if you don't want to do it yourself. If the caster is less tha 2-4 degrees, then you need to add shims to get it right. A second stabilizer is just a bandaid to hide some other problem. It's a lot better to just fix it right. I do not run any stablizers, and my rig steers very nice, offroad, onroad, freeway construction zones, over 75 mph. John

 

[John Smith]

Hey all,

My 1980 FJ40 is nearly impossible to keep going down a straight line. I'm coming from a 60 series with smaller tires, so I expected some 'wondering', but this is almost dangerous. I hit an uneven road, and randomly, the truck will shift left or right, fairly violently.

My rig is built, with a lift + shackle reversal. Stock Power steering. and I am currently running Q's for tires.

I've gone through the steering system and looked for excessive slop, but everything is nice the tight...drag link/tie rod ends are in great shape, ect...

So, I'd like to see how others have dealt with this. I currently have an Old Man Emu Stabalizer on it, that is in good shape. I was thinking about adding a second stabilizer (The Heckethorn one from Man-A-Fre)

Thoughts?

Everything is not tight and as it should be or your caster is off. The steering stabilizer is just masking the issue if anything. What is your caster measurement? Have you inspected all steering linkages while someone turns the wheel?

 

[Bostonfj60]

Everything is not tight and as it should be or your caster is off. The steering stabilizer is just masking the issue if anything. What is your caster measurement? Have you inspected all steering linkages while someone turns the wheel?

hmmm...forgot about the caster. I didn't put the lift or shackle reversal in, so I suspect the caster is probably off..I'll check it out.

I have checked ALL the linkages with someone turning the steering wheel...everything looked tight.

 

[John Smith]

hmmm...forgot about the caster. I didn't put the lift or shackle reversal in, so I suspect the caster is probably off..I'll check it out.

I have checked ALL the linkages with someone turning the steering wheel...everything looked tight.

Following ruts in the road as if the vehicle were on tracks, scary wondering steering feel, wheel not returning to center after a turn are all signs of bad caster.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I run a lot of caster with NO steering stabilizer and drives straight with no herding at 65+

Caster is your friend

 

[DSRTRDR]

12.5 tires will wander more than 10.5 in my experience

 

[Bostonfj60]

SO I just checked, I have a 4 degree caster on there. Maybe I'll order 6 Degree.

First priority though: I'm going to bring it to the alignment shop and have them tell me IF my caster angle is off, and by how much...

we'll see!