O.K. I took my Samurai out for a spin for the first time after front end rebuild...new Drag Link ,Steering rod and Tie rod ends and it still seems to "Wander" around on the road.The steering box seems to be tight. I did a back yard alignment but I need to take it to a real shopI know. Are the stock specs. O.K. or is there a better set of specs for a stock height Samurai with 8 in. rims and 235/75/15 's on it?

If you have lift shackles in the front or lifted springs , then your caster angle could be off . Just use shims between the axle and leaf springs too correct the caster angle . hope that helps .

Nope...Stock suspension......

Possibly worn kingpin or wheel bearings, then.  Jack up each front wheel separately  and check for play - top to bottom and side to side.  There should be nearly zero play.  Bearings are pretty simple to find. If the vendors that advertise here don't have them (sometimes their sources dry up) Auto parts stores or bearing supply houses have them.  For more info on front kingpin and wheel bearing replacement, download the Samurai FSM at Ack's FAQ (the link is in my signature)  do a search for fsm.

BTW - "toe" is about the only thing that you can adjust.

Does anybody have a cross Ref. # for a steering dampener that will fit that is not so $$$$$ !

Got one on order.....Any input on what to tell shop on toe? Need to stop that "Wandering".

Well, be sure to check the bearing play as Ack said before you even take it to an alignment shop. They woudl likely check anyways, but if they didn't & your bearings are out of spec no alignment will help. The good news is your sammys bearings are lots easier to get to, repack, retorque, &/or replace than trackicks are (sammy has no crush bearing). Another thought: your 8" rims may be a bit wide for 235's depending on the actual tire width, which varies some by maker. 235's work out to approx 9.2" wide tread. Maybe the sidewalls are spread too far? 8" is actually pretty wide for a 30x9.50... maybe they're causing the tire to 'reverse' crown? Just a thought...

For the steering dampner the local shop should be able to find one pretty cheap.  My winch is mounted through where the stock stabilizer ran so I ended up using a Toyota one instead.  It's about 4" longer and had enough length to run to a new mount on the other side of the frame from the steering box.  It was only $20-30.

I have it taken care of ....Thanks for the help everyone!

I have it taken care of ....Thanks for the help everyone!

And?

Quote from: one mile on April 21, 2009, 02:31:09 PM

I have it taken care of ....Thanks for the help everyone!

And?

Hehe, yeah, wut did you do to fix it?? 

Sorry about that......I took off my steering stabilizer to check to see how worn it was and it fell apart in my hands! I also ran my tire pressure up to 32 psi. The new Monro Magnum stabilizer was the trick. I now am so pleased on how it drives I have parked my other car an I drive this Baby every day!  By the way does anyone have a "source" for the new style King Pin Bearings for my '87 samurai that are not so $$$? Please let me knoww...O.K.?

You can get them at the auto store, or just pick up a full axle rebuild kit from Low Range Off-Road. 

A knuckle rebuild kit has all the seals, felt wipers, wheel bearings and kingpin bearings to do both sides. Trailtough only wants $199 for the whole kit... It's your best bet.
 http://www.trailtough.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=111&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53
As far as the alignment specs are concerned, just have it set to stock, but rebuild the knuckles first. There is no cheaper way to get rid of 20 years worth of play...
And as far as your tire pressure is concerned... WHy do you have them inflated so hard? Trying to wear out the centers of your tires? Read the tire inflation decal on the door jamb, dash or kick panel and do what that recommends for pressure. It should only be like 20-23psi. The truck doesn't weigh very much. 32 is appropriate for like a 4-5,000 pound Jeep, not a 2,000 pound Suzuki.

A knuckle rebuild kit has all the seals, felt wipers, wheel bearings and kingpin bearings to do both sides. Trailtough only wants $199 for the whole kit... It's your best bet.
 http://www.trailtough.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=111&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53
As far as the alignment specs are concerned, just have it set to stock, but rebuild the knuckles first. There is no cheaper way to get rid of 20 years worth of play...
And as far as your tire pressure is concerned... WHy do you have them inflated so hard? Trying to wear out the centers of your tires? Read the tire inflation decal on the door jamb, dash or kick panel and do what that recommends for pressure. It should only be like 20-23psi. The truck doesn't weigh very much. 32 is appropriate for like a 4-5,000 pound Jeep, not a 2,000 pound Suzuki.

or for other options around $140
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-Samurai-front-wheel-bearing-and-seal-kit-sammy_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZQ7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a3Q7c294Q3a30QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2el1262QQhashZitem220262781256QQitemZ220262781256QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories