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[drift]

Hello all, kind of new to the forum, found it a couple of weeks ago and have read some great info here.  I really appreciate the knowledge you all have...

and now I have a question;

One shop tells me I need new tie rods, that there is a lot of play in the tie rod ends.  They are checking it with the wheels in the air.

One shop tells me the tie rods are fine; that the shimmy in the front end is due to some other problem.  They are checking it with the wheels on the ground.

Which is the correct way to tell if I need tie rods?  I've done alignment, wheel balance, etc.  Maybe a new damper?

Thanks for your time...
Bruce

[isle of man]

Hello all, kind of new to the forum, found it a couple of weeks ago and have read some great info here.  I really appreciate the knowledge you all have...

and now I have a question;

One shop tells me I need new tie rods, that there is a lot of play in the tie rod ends.  They are checking it with the wheels in the air.

One shop tells me the tie rods are fine; that the shimmy in the front end is due to some other problem.  They are checking it with the wheels on the ground.

Which is the correct way to tell if I need tie rods?  I've done alignment, wheel balance, etc.  Maybe a new damper?

Thanks for your time...
Bruce

ok what vehicle is it? and is it stock or any mods fitted? and further describe shimmy? do you mean the death wobble?

peter henry

[drift]

sorry, my bad.  really fast response though!  Thanks!

Stock tie rods on a 2002 TJ, fitted with 3 inches of lift and 32 inch mud tires.

47000 miles, I go off-road mainly in summer and winter, spring and fall are too busy at work.  I don't rock crawl, I just like the trails, and sand dunes.

the problem started out as not much, just a feeling of "loose steering."  not that the steering wheel rocked side-to-side, but it would kind of wander a bit at higher speeds.  Then it started to shimmy the steering wheel back and forth, just a little, over 50 MPH.  That shake got worse, now does it over 40.  I've had bad tires before (out of round) and it felt different.  I guess this could be the beginning of that, but it definitely felt different last time.

thanks,
Bruce

[isle of man]

sorry, my bad.  really fast response though!  Thanks!

Stock tie rods on a 2002 TJ, fitted with 3 inches of lift and 32 inch mud tires.

47000 miles, I go off-road mainly in summer and winter, spring and fall are too busy at work.  I don't rock crawl, I just like the trails, and sand dunes.

the problem started out as not much, just a feeling of "loose steering."  not that the steering wheel rocked side-to-side, but it would kind of wander a bit at higher speeds.  Then it started to shimmy the steering wheel back and forth, just a little, over 50 MPH.  That shake got worse, now does it over 40.  I've had bad tires before (out of round) and it felt different.  I guess this could be the beginning of that, but it definitely felt different last time.

thanks,
Bruce

so is it there every time you go over 40mph? or intermittent?
and on a separate note i guess your one of our american cousins!!


peter henry

[drift]

so is it there every time you go over 40mph? or intermittent?
and on a separate note i guess your one of our american cousins!!


peter henry

yep, every time.

seems to lessen a bit with turning, as the interstate corners... also seems to lessen if I'm on the power.  But if there's a bump in the pavement it sets a larger wobble that's just a second or two in duration.  Still not nearly as bad as the wobble with the out-of-round tires, but I'm hoping to catch the problem before it gets to that.

yes, I'm located in San Francisco... an American cousin!

Thanks again,
Bruce

[isle of man]

so is it there every time you go over 40mph? or intermittent?
and on a separate note i guess your one of our american cousins!!


peter henry

yep, every time.

seems to lessen a bit with turning, as the interstate corners... also seems to lessen if I'm on the power.  But if there's a bump in the pavement it sets a larger wobble that's just a second or two in duration.  Still not nearly as bad as the wobble with the out-of-round tires, but I'm hoping to catch the problem before it gets to that.

yes, I'm located in San Francisco... an American cousin!

Thanks again,
Bruce

can you rotate the tyres? then check the uni-bearing on the front also the uj's and the steering damper also....after that it gets a bit more complicated.


have-a-nice-day

peter henry

[drift]

yep, rotated, balanced.  I bought a new steering damper, maybe I'll put it on and see if that helps.  how do I check those joints/ bearings?

thanks,
Bruce

[isle of man]

yep, rotated, balanced.  I bought a new steering damper, maybe I'll put it on and see if that helps.  how do I check those joints/ bearings?

thanks,
Bruce

would only fit the steering damper after all other points checked first as it could mask the problem only to return in the near future......could i add to check the over axle rod (panard rod) bushings also......
uj's can be checked by close inspection for free play and sign of wear normally a light colour by the joint...
the uni-bearing should show free play if you jack-up the wheel leave on the vehicle and hold with one hand on either side wobble from side-to-side then top-to-bottom also spin the wheel and feel the axle for rumble if all good then take as serviceable....
i believe all joints should be checked under load that is when vehicle weight is on them.


peter henry

[drift]

thanks again... I'll check all those soon and hopefully will have an answer.  I may fit the damper anyway, I'm driving this weekend to visit the folks.  Even if it's just masking the problem, it will alleviate it if I can't find the real problem... then I'll go after it again after the trip.  Any thoughts on the replacement damper?  I bought a KYB direct bolt-on replacement, sounded like a good name to me.  I know they have a good reputation for shocks, and I was able to get it cheaper than OEM.

thanks again,
bruce

[Dodster]

Good luck with the damper it can be a PITA to get the old one off, be prepared to fill the swear box..  :roll:

[MK1]

Are the steering dampers only needed for PAS equipped vehicles?

[isle of man]

Are the steering dampers only needed for PAS equipped vehicles?

not to my knowledge!! even the tgb bounces like a mofo that has not been paid........would benefit if i was to fit a damper but it's stiff enough....will have arms like popeye by the end of the year.




peter henry