80 series steering problem

[bud_da_stud]

hey guys i have a 80 series wagon and it has started wondering across the road a bit lately, well a bit to much for my liking haha, More noticable on the highway and wen hitting small bumps or dents on the road. It has 2 inch lift and 33x12inch muddies on it. Any idea on wat i shud start lookin at to correct this problem wud be much appreciated.

thanx

[RAY185]

Wheel bearing freeplay, King Pin/Swivel Housing bearing freeplay, wear in front end suspension bushes, freeplay in steering rod ends and steering box. Irregular front tyre wear and incorrect wheel alignment can also play a part in this.

[bud_da_stud]

there does seem to be sum play in my steering wheel wud this indicate play in the steering box and how wud i go about fixing that problem? May also have to pull the for bearings down and check them all and re pack them

[RAY185]

Freeplay in the steering wheel just means there is freeplay in the steering somewhere, not necessarily in the steering box. You'll need to jack the front end up, grab a front wheel at 3 and 9 oclock and rock the wheel in and out while you (easier if you get someone to help you here) look for the freeplay in each steering rod joint and the steering box itself Repeat on the other wheel.

Feeling for freeplay and diagnosing the part at fault is a bit of an art so if you're not sure, go get a wheel alignment and ask them to check the steering components for freeplay while they are there. They probably won't charge you much extra if at all.

Bearings on 80s are supposed to be inspected and repacked every 20K so yeah they are probably due for a look anyway.

[Shadow]

Freeplay in the steering wheel just means there is freeplay in the steering somewhere, not necessarily in the steering box. You'll need to jack the front end up, grab a front wheel at 3 and 9 oclock and rock the wheel in and out while you (easier if you get someone to help you here) look for the freeplay in each steering rod joint and the steering box itself Repeat on the other wheel.

Feeling for freeplay and diagnosing the part at fault is a bit of an art so if you're not sure, go get a wheel alignment and ask them to check the steering components for freeplay while they are there. They probably won't charge you much extra if at all.

Bearings on 80s are supposed to be inspected and repacked every 20K so yeah they are probably due for a look anyway.

i find it better to leave the car on the ground, and switched off. get someone to rock the steering wheel left to right(but not actually turning the wheels, just rocking the freeplay). If something is not right underneath you will see it moving, bouncing, twisting, etc. Should be virtually no movement.

I would then jack the car up and check the wheel bearings and swivel bearings for movement. Grab wheel at 12 oclock and 6 oclock, rock top to bottom. again, should be no movement.

The next thing i would check is the radius arm bushes.

[RAY185]

i find it better to leave the car on the ground, and switched off. get someone to rock the steering wheel left to right(but not actually turning the wheels, just rocking the freeplay). If something is not right underneath you will see it moving, bouncing, twisting, etc. Should be virtually no movement.

Yeah there are many ways to do it, I just find if it's only a small amount of movement you might miss it when rocking the steering on the ground. Actually feeling it through your hands the same way you do for bearings means you can actually pick up a smaller freeplay problem that you otherwise would have missed. It's just the way I've always done it.

[BadMav]

Check the panhard rod is . tight