The Most Effective Steering Wander Fix Cost Me $0 (Updated 1-7-23)

[Lunentucker]

If a larger bolt that fits tighter makes any difference, the clamping force wasn't enough. Relying on a bolt is relying on the sheer strength of the bolt. If it's clamped properly, the clamping force holds it even if the bolt isn't snug in the hole.


As a note on caster - there's such a thing as too much. It causes caster WOBBLE which is a shimmy. In short, too much can cause something like DW.

Which is why I tested it at 90 MPH, and it drove like a dream.
As with all of my tinkering, I will continue to monitor and assess. Moving it back up one hole is easy enough.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Which is why I tested it at 90 MPH, and it drove like a dream.
As with all of my tinkering, I will continue to monitor and assess. Moving it back up one hole is easy enough.

I've been watching your posts on the caster and your move to another hole in that bracket. Looking for that time when you get to actually measure it. I know yours is different and unique - heck, unless these trucks are stock, they are all unique, but still how yours turns out can be a basis for other things. Even for one differently modified.

 

[notoriousms33]

Which is why I tested it at 90 MPH, and it drove like a dream.
As with all of my tinkering, I will continue to monitor and assess. Moving it back up one hole is easy enough.

That’s illegal

 

[Lunentucker]

That’s illegal

Live Free or Die

 

[Lunentucker]

I've been watching your posts on the caster and your move to another hole in that bracket. Looking for that time when you get to actually measure it. I know yours is different and unique - heck, unless these trucks are stock, they are all unique, but still how yours turns out can be a basis for other things. Even for one differently modified.

I may just spring for a dealer alignment, just to get the actual numbers. Seems silly, but having it verified and documented could be beneficial to future owners who want to try similar changes.

 

[Burghardphotography]

One last update, just in case anyone stumbles upon this thread through an online search.

Yesterday I installed the Metalcloak Sector Shaft Brace, and while it certainly made everything feel much more tight, it was almost too tight, and the wheel didn't want to return to center quite as well as before.

I had this brace installed initially when I built out my rig. You mention the difficulty returning to center.. how bad is that on yours?

I ended up uninstalling mine after a couple of days because it completely defeated any return to center ability. I took it off when it started to groan in the center and bits of metal shavings showed up. I had the installing shop double check their work twice before we just decided to take it off.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That’s illegal

He forgot to mention, that was on the salt flats while there was no other events going on over there.
I think I may hold the world record in a gladiator at 95 although it took a while to get there.

 

[Lunentucker]

I had this brace installed initially when I built out my rig. You mention the difficulty returning to center.. how bad is that on yours?

I ended up uninstalling mine after a couple of days because it completely defeated any return to center ability. I took it off when it started to groan in the center and bits of metal shavings showed up. I had the installing shop double check their work twice before we just decided to take it off.

It wasn't as bad as that. Just a little more sluggish than before the brace.
With the last adjustment to caster it now returns to center than pre-brace.

 

[notoriousms33]

It wasn't as bad as that. Just a little more sluggish than before the brace.
With the last adjustment to caster it now returns to center than pre-brace.

Lunen

can you tell me what the higher pitch equal is besides that background noise from the electric steering

volume up

 

[notoriousms33]

He forgot to mention, that was on the salt flats while there was no other events going on over there.
I think I may hold the world record in a gladiator at 95 although it took a while to get there.

This is the only vehicle I have owned where I don’t feel I need to floor it to enjoy it

 

[notoriousms33]

It wasn't as bad as that. Just a little more sluggish than before the brace.
With the last adjustment to caster it now returns to center than pre-brace.

Stand by

 

[Lunentucker]

Stand by

Did you find the bolt part number?
I've been searching for it. I know I posted or commented it somewhere. Just can't find it right now.

 

[Lunentucker]

Lunen

can you tell me what the higher pitch equal is besides that background noise from the electric steering

volume up

I can't hear any high pitched squeals. It may be out of my damaged hearing's frequency range.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It wasn't as bad as that. Just a little more sluggish than before the brace.
With the last adjustment to caster it now returns to center than pre-brace.

Was the brace "dragging" the pitman shaft? Was it perhaps pulling on it a bit instead of just holding it in position so it could not move side to side under stress?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This is the only vehicle I have owned where I don’t feel I need to floor it to enjoy it

I hear ya, and agree totally. Even slow driving is enjoyable in these.
My 95 was to literally "check some things out".
Otherwise, the only time the truck went really fast was at the urging of my generally speed-conservative wife when she insisted we outrun the big Iowa derecho a couple of years back. "Faster, faster, get around that guy, go around that truck, get home!" was what I kept hearing. The day before and the days after - "you aren't speeding, are you?"

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