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steering issues

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Offline dellstoptracker

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steering issues
« on: March 27, 2010, 11:17:17 AM »
I picked up a 90 tracker yesterday with 4.5 inch roc ky road lift and 30inch super swamper sx bias play tires. Drives okay but trying to figure out some steering issues. When doing freeway speed rig will kinda just all of a sudden throw me left and then right almost out of my lane. It doesnt really happen at slow speeds. I noticed wen turning the steering shaft the box moves a bit so maybe the bolts are lose bu I dont think this is causing the issue. Tie rod ends are pretty worn out as well it looks like. Any other ideas were it could be or do these rigs just drive like crap on the freeway? thanks!
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Bobthebiker

Re: steering issues
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2010, 12:10:46 PM »
this is definitely NOT a normal thing.  check your steering box out, make sure it doesnt have too much play in it, and get any worn steering parts replaced NOW.    the longer you ignore it, the worse it'll get, until either A. it causes a catastrophic failure,  B. you crash, or both.   things like that are best NEVER to be ignored. at all.
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Offline dellstoptracker

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2010, 03:19:41 PM »
well the box was a bit lost on frame, kinda weird that happened but I tightened down real well.Tie rod ends can be moved easily with my hand so im sure there all worn out. Went to look for replacement ends and no one had them/could order them.
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Bobthebiker

Re: steering issues
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2010, 04:56:10 PM »
The Suzuki Sidekick is the same rig, so try that too.   worst case, salvage yard, but hopefully you dont have to go that route.
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Offline dellstoptracker

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2010, 09:48:02 PM »
driving home from work on the freeway im really just starting to think its the short wheelbase along with the grooves in the freeway and 30x 11.50 bias play swampers. Man I cant wait to have  a better street tire on this thing
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Offline dellstoptracker

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2010, 08:01:33 PM »
So after doing some driving for a while and downgrading to 30 x 9.50 yokohama geolanders I noticed its really just the ruts in the freeways throwing me around a bit. Unfortunalty in this area ya cant really get rid of them all freeway lanes have them. my tie rod ends arent in the greatest shape but I have minimal slop in steering. Anything I can do to make these rigs a little more freeway friendly or is this something you just have to deal with on these?
thanks again!
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Offline Drone637

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2010, 09:59:28 PM »
I put a sway bar in the rear of mine, it helped with the body roll.  Get your alignment checked, if the camber is off it causes them to change lanes a lot faster.
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Offline bentparts

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2010, 05:49:44 AM »
It's a bit of work to do, but the HAGEN widening mods ( front) and axle ( rear ) overrotation seemed to really help with mine at freeway speeds, especially with oversized tires. The front mod involves relocating the control arm mounting point which in turn widens the stance, moves the wheel forward in the wheel well, with the concequence of adding more castor to the steering. This really makes our short wheelbase rigs that are lifted handle much better and steer straighter over freeway irregularites. Highways around here are grooved pretty bad too ( east coast) and mine used to throw me back and forth all the time.  A good professional alignment helps too.
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Offline dellstoptracker

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2010, 06:38:32 AM »
I usually do at home alginments on my trail jeep but I will probably take this one in for an alignment. Witll they check castor? I thought they just did toe. Also on these widening mods I read the writeup for the front. Little confused from the pictures there. Anyone have  some good pictures on the install so I can see whats going on. Still learning my rig and how this suspension works as composed to easy solid axle rigs and simple steering geometry. thanks
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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2010, 06:38:58 AM »
Quote from: dellstoptracker on April 06, 2010, 08:01:33 PM
So after doing some driving for a while and downgrading to 30 x 9.50 yokohama geolanders I noticed its really just the ruts in the freeways throwing me around a bit. Unfortunalty in this area ya cant really get rid of them all freeway lanes have them. my tie rod ends arent in the greatest shape but I have minimal slop in steering. Anything I can do to make these rigs a little more freeway friendly or is this something you just have to deal with on these?
thanks again!

So you know the TREs are loose, but you are changing other things in an attempt to fix the problem?  I don't understand that way of thinking. ???  Replace the TREs.
ANY slop in any steering component is TOO much.  1) it makes the vehicle drive like crap.  2)  while not real common, TREs can come apart/break, if they get too loose.   Replace the TREs.
Even after replacing the TREs, you will find the trackick won't drive quite like a stock trackick.  Any change in lift, tires, wheels, camber, caster, toe, etc. can (and usually does) cause it to wander and/or dart around on the road more than a completely stock trackick.  Replace the TREs.

You can't find replacement TREs?  Have you checked rockauto.com or amazon.com?  Replace the TREs.
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Offline rascott

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2010, 12:46:14 PM »
just a thought.
an alignment will, at least, tell you if you have a caster issue.
camber and toe are easily adjustable- i'm not sure how you'd deal w/a caster problem, but that would eliminate2 out of 3 angles.
do you have a front sway bar?(i took mine off- more body roll, but consistent).
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Offline bentparts

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2010, 01:59:57 PM »
Castor is not adjustable on Trackicks, but is modifiable ( is that even a word?) via the Hagen mods. Really sounds like Skihigh hit it though, worn TRE's will make you wallow. try replacing them, or have the alignment shop do it.
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Offline Drone637

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2010, 02:35:42 PM »
I get caster and camber mixed up every now and then, my bad.

Caster is the angle of your suspension travel, which can be adjusted on a link style suspension and is part of what gets thrown off on a shackle lift.  You can read up on it at http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm
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Offline dellstoptracker

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2010, 06:43:44 PM »
its nice adjusing castor in my cherokee by adjusting my upper control arm on my three link setup. I will replace my ends and get an alignment then post results.
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Offline Dennisr

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Re: steering issues
« Reply #14 on: April 07, 2010, 06:58:09 PM »
light vehicle and large tires=Just like a bouncing ball being caught by high winds...it will wander! I still Second the checking of theTre's though. Let me know.....sometimes i have the same issue! Wondering, Will the Calmini steering stabilizer kit help any?
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