ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: vuzuki on June 05, 2012, 05:35:34 PM
-
Okay so for those of you who remember my last post, Hopefully this is a less stupid question.
I took my zook out to star lakes the weekend before last and since then it has been wandering like crazy, I hope that's the right word. Even on the 40 mph city streets I can only just stay straight in my lane for one block. My first thought was it's just a tiny car and it's been windier lately, but I've driven in wind before and it's never been This bad. Hope someone knows what might be wrong, I also tightened up the steering pretty good
88(.5 I think) samurai, stock.
-
If you got the leaf springs wet it will some times make them real soft ver. a dry spring pack with less movement.
-
It could be a number of things (worn out bushings, loose wheel bearings, loose u-bolts, shackles etc), but I would bet that the front end has never been serviced. The knuckle seals and felts are a service item that helps with the tracking of the front axle. The seals are supposed to be replaced every 20k miles, but most Samurais are running the original ones, and they turn to sticky goo after 10+ years.
I also bet the kingpins (at least the top ones) are rusty and need to be replaced. See the links below for the parts and read up on the web (Izook) on the front end rebuild.
http://www.trailtough.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=456&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53 (http://www.trailtough.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=456&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53)
http://www2.izook.com/?page_id=401 (http://www2.izook.com/?page_id=401)
-
In addition to the aforementioned:
Lift the front end up with a jack and check each tire for up/down play and also left/right play.
up/down is wheel bearings
left/right is steering link(s)
Tire pressure of course is an easy check as well.
-
thank you jonny and I will do said checks this weekend and hopefully fix it if I don't have to order anything. driving the tacoma to work for now. But thank you those sound very likely, can't wait to fix it >.< I love driving the sammi.
-
Not sure of your vehicle...but one of the worst lifts is a "shakle" lift. If you have longer shakles in the front they will point your steering geometry downward causing it to constantly search for a level position. This causes wandering. Maybe post more information about your vehicle.
-
Nope, totally stock. Thanks for warning me though! xD Don't get to work on it for another week for medical reasons, still driving the truck.. not liking gas so much :(
-
Also, jack up the front end and try turning the wheels to make sure one of your lock-out hubs isn't stuck in the engaged position. I had a friend have this happen on a J**p once...
-
I just checked the hubs just while it's on the ground but no such luck. Might still be stuck on the inside? while I was out there I pushed on the top of the wheel and it clicked top and bottom so I'm pretty sure there Is play >.< Hey anybody think I can fix it in a straight weekend?
-
Yes, you can rebuild the entire front end in about 4-6 hours. It's a messy job though.