un-controllable then fine fj62

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Joined
Dec 16, 2014
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8
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55
Location
Fondis Colorado
I was driving in town yesterday when I hit a pothole hidden in water. All of a sudden my truck goes all crazy handling like I hit a curb at 70 ( I was going between 30- 35 mph ) I pulled over and stopped then had my passenger articulate the steering to see any problems.I couldn't see anything obvious got back in and drove fine for two more hours 40=50 miles running errands and it happened again remedying itself again just by stopping.I know I am just lucky to get back home safe but now I have something new rotting my brain.What caused this??? Oh yeah the vehicle is a 1987 fj62 with a 6 inch soa lift and 33 x 10.5 " tires
 
When it happened again was it due to hitting something? Did you snap a lower shock mount and it looks fine but is just hanging there? :meh:
 
Sounds like the ever-popular "death wobble" condition. Generally caused by lack of caster and compounded by worn bushings, TRE's, tire issues and the like. Search will provide better information, but have everything thoroughly inspected and checked for proper torque. I nearly rolled in rush hour traffic once upon a time because of my poorly engineered lift doing the same thing (non Yota product) Scary stuff!
 
Remember the little sticker on the visor: This vehicle could go out of control and crash!! :confused: I always liked that! Good luck :)
 
I do respect the visor warning :steer:,and I know it has been modified a lot from the original ride geometry:worms:.Which only makes more to go wrong. But what is Rotting my brain :censor: is the fact that it goes away just by stopping the vehicle. So yes I am getting out the torque wrench and I will torque it all down.This makes the most sense to me as a cause that would " go away". Thanks for the info,I will post any findings / results
 
was the caster set for the 6" lift? (c&T)
 
You may have broken a belt in the tire or thrown wheel weights or maybe dented a rim when you hit the pothole. That will throw the tire way out of balance and cause or exacerbate a deathwobble feeling in the front end for sure. Good luck!
 
Going through the same issues now. Get to 35-40 and it feels like the truck is coming apart. Got my son to drive and me follow and it actually looks like the front axle is going to walk out from under it. Rotated the tires first. Didn't cure. We're now going with all new tie rod ends and steering ends. I felt one that seems a little loose. Will let you know what works!
 
Spring bushings are commonly a culprit as well. Pretty much, anything that touches the axle can't be loose.
 
You may have broken a belt in the tire or thrown wheel weights or maybe dented a rim when you hit the pothole. That will throw the tire way out of balance and cause or exacerbate a deathwobble feeling in the front end for sure. Good luck!
I had the tires inspected today
 
I jacked it up and waggled and tugged on the tires and it seemed that everything I did to one side was transferred to the other side,,,nothing real telling :confused:.I am going to get it up on a rack tomorrow, I will be surprised if we don't find at least one bushing ruined on the right side,,, we'll soon see:idea:.

I can't afford to much my wife blew up (Timing belt) her Honda Civic and I just bought another engine.It has been a while since I have R+R an engine ,the thing is really small but still a lot more than I'd like to be doing:worms:
 
I found the culprits:):bounce::beer:. I was having so much trouble figuring out what was wrong because all my bushings are good. The problem was remedied by tightening the adjustment on the steering box and replacing the steering dampener.Now I can concentrate on fixing the wife's Honda :cheers::smokin::rimshot:
 

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