Bump Steer

Lamont_24 · Jan 30, 2013

I did the Dana 60 swap with new a tie rod, drag link, and track bar and now I've got a really bad bump steer and the steering doesn't respond back. It doesn't want to return to neutral is the best way to describe it. The track bar is at a good angle, pretty much parallel with the drag link. I've ruled it down to the steering shaft or maybe the gear box. I've been thinking about slapping a steering stabilizer on it and seeing if that makes a difference. But I wanted to see what kind of input you guys have. Thanks

NotStock · Jan 31, 2013

Did you do an RSK aswell or just the axle swap? What is your castor? Can you post a pic of your front steering/drag link?

Lamont_24 · Jan 31, 2013

Just did the swap, no rsk, and I can post a pic probably Saturday afternoon. I'm at school and won't be home till the weekend. But I also changed the ball joints and it almost looks like the caster is the opposite way, like the top of the tires lean towards the engine

NotStock · Jan 31, 2013

That is chamber. If an alignment hasnt been done, i would highly recommend one be done before it is driven.

Lamont_24 · Jan 31, 2013

I got the axle on a frame so it technically should still be aligned. We didn't take the tie rod off until we got it under my truck and on the ground so the tires wouldn't move. But, I guess an alignment wouldn't be a bad idea anyways. Just one more thing to rule out

JCart · Feb 1, 2013

At the risk of sounding like a nut bar (me) did you rebuild the axle u-joints and/or are they in good shape? If seizing they can cause a not to recenter after turning a corner....just a thought.

jrc

Lamont_24 · Feb 1, 2013

Yeah they were good, good thinking though

JCart · Feb 2, 2013

Might be the steering box or if there is any vertical or lateral play in your steering wheel might be the column bearings going out. I know the upper bearing in my column piled up earlier this winter and I thought it was a combo of the box and column bearings going out. Ended up being the column bearings. Upper one was so bad that bits and pieces translocated down to the lower bearing. Upon R&R very nice and well worth the effort to repair. Have a repair article in my sig link.

jrc

'94IDITurbo7.3 · Feb 2, 2013

IIRC, return to center issues are related to caster mainly. i think camber can also have an effect on return to center. you need an alignment for sure to see what is going on.

Lamont_24 · Feb 2, 2013

I've got to finish my fuel system then it'll be off to get aligned. My steering column is new. When I got the truck it was broken in two so I put a new one in