Darting 96 disco...any ideas why?

[Milan]

Our 96 with 245/75R16 GY MT/Rs seems to "dart". It feels too loose in the front end, yet the steering stabilizer is fine, all tie rod ends seem fine, wheel bearings too. The only thing I have not checked are radius arm bushings and swivel bearing preload. I don't have a scale to use. Is there an easy "rule of thumb" to follow for that bearing preload?

The disco seems to folow road imperfections/ruts very easily, darting from side to side (and swaying if it's at highway speed) instead of steadily going straight. It's quite driveable so it's not too bad and it does not do that on smooth pavement but I know it's looser than it should be. I have no lift (sagging stock springs if anything). It also became more pronounced after the addition of the 245s last year but it was there with the stock tires too. It just feels as if the steering is too light when going straight. Yet when steering/turning it seems fine (resistance-wise) and the vehicle can wiggle in curves as well when going over uneven pavement.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[BaldEagle]

it sounds like steering bushings. if you look along the steering tie rods and stuff where they join, you'll see rubber bushings. the ball inside usually cracks after a while. mine just did. the right side goes out first. if you cant find them ill take a picture of it for you. grab hold of the two pieces that are joined by the bushing while someone jiggles the steering wheel. you should feel the play. my mechanice said he's never seen them break before, so you should be safe. this happens to all older cars. they're about 50 buck pieces, and can be hard to change sometimes. so live with it until you cant stand it anymore is my suggestion. hope this helps, its hard to describe so im happy to take a pic and email it to you

 

[Milan]

Please take pics. I have no idea what you mean. Do you mean trackbar bushings perhaps? Thank you!

 

[Milan]

Anyone else?

 

[Sergei]

Scales available at pretty much anywhere and cost you like 10$.

If you unhook tie rods and push wheel a bit (not hard. just light tap with hand) and it turns further - you got weak preload. There got to be resistance.

 

[bri]

Scales available at pretty much anywhere and cost you like 10$.

If you unhook tie rods and push wheel a bit (not hard. just light tap with hand) and it turns further - you got weak preload. There got to be resistance.

I do not get it Sergei. If you unhook the trackrod, then the right wheel will just flop around, no? Can you describe more?

if you look along the steering tie rods and stuff where they join, you'll see rubber bushings.

Those would be ball joints on the end of the track rod and drag link. The Panhard rod and front radius arms have bushings.

 

[Sergei]

Brian - nope. It really should not. There is about 4-6kg (i cant remember right away - it may be pounds. 6 is for new one, around 4 is for used one) resistance to turn it. If it just flops by itself - its time to get those shims adjusted.

 

[bri]

Brian - nope. It really should not. There is about 4-6kg (i cant remember right away - it may be pounds. 6 is for new one, around 4 is for used one) resistance to turn it. If it just flops by itself - its time to get those shims adjusted.

Actually I meant left, but understand your point. So if you remove the trackrod so that nothing is steering the DS wheel, it should have good resistance. Also if you then also remove the drag link the PS wheel should also have good resistance.

Correct? I'm going to have to look at this since I have had some work done and make sure I am still good to go.

Brian

 

[Sergei]

Yep.


With truck on horizontally equal stands, tie rods unhooked, wheels removed - scale applied to steering "hand" (place where you hook up tie-rod, and with wheel removed) should be within 5.5kg and 7.3kg (as i just looked up). Higher load is - tighter steering. New stuff is got to be towards upper limit, to allow wear. Dragged in horizontal movement, slowly.

 

[Milan]

Thanks Sergei.

Does oneyone think it could/should be something else?