Rut tracking, wind gust response

[eburrows]

Hi All, my D2, 220k miles old, is tracking ruts in the road, and responding to wind gusts too much for my liking.

II've tightened the steering box (just a bit), and checked all the suspension bushings and ball joints. They all look good to me. (Now... I did replace one worn joint.) I also replaced the steering dampener about a year ago.

Is there anything else I can try, before resorting to swapping out the steering box?

Thanks.

 

[Levi]

As far as tracking ruts, check your alignment and maybe toe in a little.

 

[eburrows]

I just checked my alignment last night... It's 3mm toe out compared front to back of tires. Something like 170cm 3mm vs. 170cm. The shop manual says it should be 0deg, 5' toe out. My trigonometry isn't good enough to do that math, but both seem like a 'tiny bit toe out' to me...

 

[matt marquardt]

kinda waiting on a follow up here.My d2 has 170k w/new heim tie and drag link and I'm experiencing the same. Nothing looks terribly worn...

 

[LuisC]

Same thing happened to me and a month later the tread came off one of my new Michelin tires in the front just like a retreaded tire. It suffered belt separation.

 

[Mongo]

shocks and springs...

 

[Jagfixer]

How much air in tyres? Sometimes if over inflated will track.

 

[KyleT]

i think that factory is nearly 0 toe, i have set both mine to a little toe out (prob 1/16 or 1/8 inch as measured at the tire and it has killed nearly all of the rut following. AND running 32-36 psi in the front. i never liked 28 in the front...

 

[matt marquardt]

So,KyleT,what your say'n is at the perimeter of your tyre your'e toe out 1/116 to1/8? I'll have to check that in the morning...

 

[KyleT]

ya something like that, its not very scientific at all.

 

[eburrows]

The answer for me was my tires. My last few excursions had long sections along railroad tracks. The gravel they use can have very sharp edges, and tore up my tread pretty good.

Putting my oldest tires in the back, and newest (almost brand new) in the front, at 35PSI has made the problem almost totally go away. I'll replace the torn-up tires I have now in the back, and expect it to be fully resolved.

 

[matt marquardt]

I feel like a goof ball.

After dicking around under the disco looking for a problem, many times, I checked the tire pressure. It was at 42psi. I lowered it to 32psi. Problem solved.:banghead: