MOTOV8R
SILVER Star
Where is the dislike button... Not cool
Steering Wander on my 82FJ, help needed!
- Thread starter merbesfield
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Where is the dislike button... Not cool
merbesfield
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #82
The steering has a power steering box, which was freshly rebuilt before installation. The truck wondered before I installed the powersteering so I don't think the box is the issue. The center link was supposed to be rebuilt, but when I got it back I could see it moving all over the place. Seriously! WTF!. So I took care of that, but it still wonders. Wonder might not be the right word. The steering moves when turned, but the truck just floats all over the road. To keep it going straight down the road, I have to really concentrate and constantly adjust with movements to the steering wheel. PIA. So floaty, wondering, call it what you think, but I find it hard to believe this truck drove like this when it was brand new. And brand new is what I expect when I take it to a shop and say all new front end and freshly rebuilt PS box etc.
MOTOV8R
SILVER Star
I had an 82 with factory power steering. It had a good 3 to 4 inches of play side to side. All of this is adjusted out through the connections, TRE, drag links, center box. Not centering is caster and or some drag on your system. The alignment results show about 1 degree of caster which is factory and about what my 82 had. What I suggested is also consistent with the clicking you desribed. Your center joint could also be adjusted to tight. Having driven my 82 with the box to tight I can tell you it's hard to control.
No sense of humor, must be a liberal
merbesfield
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #85
The clicking sound is coming from inside the truck. I think inside the steering wheel hub. Definitely not outside or under. Regarding the center joint, so I am clear, you are referring to the center link that is bolted to the frame up front, yes? The same part that the shop said they adjusted but didn't. How do I know it is properly adjusted?
Your issue is most probably caster. Floaty steering, wander, following ruts, wheel not returning to center, are caster related. This is due to not enough positive caster. Your earlier readout shows .9 degrees. I would install a two or three degree shim. Also, have you verified your power steering box is centered? Do you have the same amount of turns left to right from center?
MOTOV8R
SILVER Star
Dry humor is hard to read. Probably a vegan too.
A vegan wouldn't have the energy to type. Either way he is a Mud guy so we will just color him obtuse.
It might be incorrect. Something does not make sense and this is as likely as anything. Maybe they said -2 degrees.
MOTOV8R
SILVER Star
I would at least check the steering box adjustment. Plenty of rebuilt parts get set up wrong or it could have been induced during some of the later work. You have addressed most of the common sources of play in the steering. FSM will explain settings for the center arm and steering box. .9 caster isn't a lot, but it is what came from the factory and is not normally unsafe. It seems like you have something else going on. Good luck.
1980 FJ40 FSM -OEM Power Steering adjustment
Stumpalama
Forum Junkie
WTF? Did he say he was looking to sell it?
It was a joke
Stumpalama
Forum Junkie
I reviewed the thread and didn't see any pictures of the spring shackles from straight-on.
merbesfield
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #95
Your right. I need to look. Could have been negative 2 degrees. And who knows if done correctly also.
merbesfield
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #96
Guys, I am still in the same place I was when first posting, though I have not made any major effort to solve the problem because I was waiting for the money to buy an OME suspension kit. I am ready to buy the kit, but I need a referral to someone, in Atlanta preferably, who can install these new parts and make sure that my FJ40 will drive like it should, better than new. What I don't want to do is have the kit installed and still have a sloppy ass truck. Help would be greatly appreciated.
@GA Architect ... isn’t there an ACC or something, Rick?
For what it's worth I just replaced the springs , bushings and shackles(had done shocks years ago) on my 45lv with OME....it was all over the road before, it was a nightmare on the Hwy. afterward...drives like it did in 1964..perfect, it just goes where is suppose to and tracks great. besides the springs being shot, it had extended shackles on it which screwed up the caster. I did not add any caster shims because the OME put everything back where is should be.
Wishing you luck
Wishing you luck
GA Architect
SILVER Star
FWIW - Being I didn't have a cutting torch at the time, I worked a deal with my local Toyota Shop. GOOD THING I DID! They had to cut 5 of the eight spring hanger bolts. Right after they installed the OME 2" kit, I took it to an old shop to align it.....Drives like, well like a 4x4, but it doesn't wonder all over the road. It is a pleasure to drive and it sure isn't sloppy. I'd not stand for that!
But I also replace all the tie rod ends with the 555 kit from Cruiser Outfitters.
I'd also I'd suggest buying the OME kit from Cruiser Outfitters, @cruiseroutfit
So you ask if there is a shop around Atlanta that can install the OME kits, there are plenty of locations that can do this. Yes, ACC is one of them, if you are close to their location. Call around....I'm on the northside of the ATL, so if you are up this way, shoot me a PM and I can provide some good shops.
In your last picture, you see that hole under your frame - the dampener should be attached there.
Front wide angle pic:
View attachment 1035703[/QUOTE]
Those spring straps you have are fine. They are not always bolted like Landpimps.
Front wide angle pic:
View attachment 1035703[/QUOTE]
Those spring straps you have are fine. They are not always bolted like Landpimps.
