Steering Problems

[antt]

After doing my hilux axle swap, my steering has developed a shimmy from side to side when travelling. It does it at random times, and doesn't seem to feedback through the steering wheel.

I'm trying to think of what it can be. The tires on the front haven't been balanced since being swaped onto the cruiser rims, so could possibly be that? Or maybe castor? I had approx 8 degree's when i set it up, but may have changed slightly since it was completed. And maybe the steering dampner may be shot? but it seemed alright when i put it on.

So anyone got any idea's of what it could be???

[pongo]

it could even be that the tyres arent happy. maybe try rotating them first. I always try the cheap/easy/immediate things first. I dont really have a clue though.

Good luck

[HotFourOk]

yeh i thought whenever you put a tyre onto a rim it must be balanced.. becuase tyres arent perfectly balanced when they are made

[83 lux]

this problem happens hiluxs when you do a RUF job on them (something about the extended shackels)
i have not yet had any issus but tony and beebee have both said they did thats why they have moved the shackel to below the chassie and used standed shackels, this seams to have work for these 2.

[zooki]

its a harmonic thing and seems to be caused just by one thing in the front end not working with everything else, seen it caused by king pin bearings, swivel seals, offset rims, longer shackles (all on sierras but still same principle with any soild front end)

I got it when I had to remove the steering dampner after PS install, fitted one from housing to tie bar and problem fixed, but no idea what is causing it, went through everything nothing would dtop it, the dampner just absorbs the start of the shimmy and kills it

this thread was helpful for me

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... ight=death

[Ryano]

yeh i thought whenever you put a tyre onto a rim it must be balanced.. becuase tyres arent perfectly balanced when they are made

Ideally wheels like to be balanced however wheel/tyre vibrations are consistant at certain speeds. As this is a random vibration I'd put it down to mechanical. I'd check to make sure everything is tight and that none of the bushes are flogged allowing movement. Other than that I got nothing!

Cheers,
Ryano

[bad_religion_au]

i'd check castor.

[Area54]

i'd check castor.

Same here, 8 degrees is WAY too much, aim for around 1 degree positive.

Do a search on my posts in the Nissan forum on the shimmy issue.

[antt]

shouldn't be bearings or swivel hubs. the diff was totally rebuilt.

scotts post about the extended shackles is interesting. i'm runnin bubs' banana shackles, which are fairly stout (12mm steel iirc) so i cant see why they'd cause wobbles.

the castor issue is what i think it could be too. i thought hilux's had about 4 degree's standard? obviously that extra 4 degree's could be causing the havoc

[J Top]

more castor will reduce the shimmy and give more "feel" but heavier steering
J Top

[TWISTY]

Mine did the same thing (but its a coily with hilux diffs) when I fitted some worn kuhmo mud tryes....even though they were balanced they stil gave it bad vibes some times (mainly on the left front)......Fitted some new claws and it was all good....I'd deffinetly get your rims/tyres balanced first, then if it still does it, try a different set of tyres and wheels too.....

[ZOOK60]

check to make Shaw all bolts on your king pin and flip arm are tight they can work themselves loose. Worked for me