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Samurai stability problem

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Offline SamuraiGuy7

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Samurai stability problem
« on: August 20, 2006, 09:50:56 PM »
ok ive got a ssamurai that i recently lifted. Currently its got a spring over with wrangler conversion in rear, and a hybrid samurai rear springs set up in front. Its sitting on 31's and the sway bar has been pulled. when im on the freeway and i hit any sort of bump it starts rocking back and forth, like the whole body of the samurai and i have to slow down for it to stop. also, all of the sudden my front tires have just been eaten down to no tread when they should have lasted another year or more. its pretty scary and unsafe and im not sure what to do about it. if you guys have any pointers let me know.
87 Samurai
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Offline zutefisk

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Re: Samurai stability problem
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2006, 12:22:47 AM »
Do you have shocks?

Have you checked your alignment?

Did you use a Zlink or some kind of high steer?

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Offline ebewley

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Re: Samurai stability problem
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2006, 09:37:33 AM »
ok ive got a ssamurai that i recently lifted. Currently its got a spring over with wrangler conversion in rear, and a hybrid samurai rear springs set up in front. Its sitting on 31's and the sway bar has been pulled. when im on the freeway and i hit any sort of bump it starts rocking back and forth, like the whole body of the samurai and i have to slow down for it to stop. also, all of the sudden my front tires have just been eaten down to no tread when they should have lasted another year or more. its pretty scary and unsafe and im not sure what to do about it. if you guys have any pointers let me know.

Check your alignment for the tire wear. Do you have good shocks on the vehicle? Also, how are your shocks mounted. A lot of people tilt their rear shocks inward and that can lead to what you're talking about especially with a lightly valved shock.

-Eric
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Offline SamuraiGuy7

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Re: Samurai stability problem
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2006, 09:40:15 AM »
ive got ford shock towers in front so ive got a lot of travel but the rears have not been relocated for exactly that reason. I do use a hi steer setup. Would the alignment cause the wabble though?
87 Samurai
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Offline john1974

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Re: Samurai stability problem
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2006, 01:21:39 PM »
Did u install longer than stock shackles?
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Offline Drone637

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Re: Samurai stability problem
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2006, 03:22:59 PM »
You might want to get a larger offset on your wheels as well.  Lifting it up without increasing your vehicles width will affect your center of balance.
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Offline SamuraiGuy7

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Re: Samurai stability problem
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2006, 06:57:47 PM »
yes ive got different springs front and back so i did have to change shackles, would that affect anything but my aproach angle?

I was running 235/75/r15's before and when i lifted it i put 31/10.5/15 on aluminum 15/7 wheels. so i did off set it some...

Also my front wheels wobble when i go over a bump, i put a steering stabalizer on it and it helped, because i dont feel the wobble in the steering wheel, but they still wobble back and forth like crazy if you hit any kind of a bump....its pretty scary some times. I plan on puttin the sway back on so well see if that helps but i dont know about the wheels, could be the alignment mybe...
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Offline Utah_Tracker

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Re: Samurai stability problem
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2006, 09:55:31 PM »
unless your alignment is massively off, and you'ld feel it every time you drove fast or slow. I would put my money on something loose in the front end.  If you had a coil spring set up I'ld direct you to your control arms and traction bars.  However w/ the leafs I'ld start looking at your bushings at either end of you springs. Also if your shocks are getting old it may be time to replace them.
   The shocks won't cause the problem but a new set would help control the issue. Also look at tie rod ends and other front steering and suspension components for loose or worn parts.  By doing so jack up the front end a little off the ground and have a buddy use a large bar to move the tires up and down  and have him shake it back and forth while you watch for things to move as they shouldn't.  It's also possible to have a bad part and not be able to see it this way.  remember that as lite as these little rigs are they're still around a ton if not over.   that times speed equals a whole lot of force to start things to shaking and moving that may not be duplicated in the nice controled environment of our garages.   
   Other than that good luck.

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Offline SamuraiGuy7

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Re: Samurai stability problem
« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2006, 06:08:37 PM »
i got brand new rancho 5000's all the way around and new bushings on all four of them... i do have VERY loose tie rod ends...so that may be the problem...i appreciate the help getting this worked out, i will see if its the tie rod ends.

Taylor
87 Samurai
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