Road wander
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Road wander
On my 95 Bronco - the vehicle tends to wander and not run straight on the highway - sometimes it feel fine and the minutes later it tends to feel loose and wander. When braking it pulls hard to the left. Forward plan is to get an alignment but the braking pull makes me think that perhaps I have a braking issue as well (rotors or caliper). I have seen other posts to this site about road wandering on Broncos - is there some that typically is the cause of this? Feedback on things to check would be appreciated.
Tom
95 351 XLT
82 300-6 orignal owner
Tom
95 351 XLT
82 300-6 orignal owner
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
I'd suspect a seizing caliper with the pull to the left when you hit the brakes.
As to the wander, there are several components the hold the front end together that will allow the kind of wander you are talking about. Balljoints, tierod ends, radius arm bushings, axle pivot bushings are just a few. Underinflated tires, worn wheel bearings and steering gearbox "slop" can also contribute to the problem. The easiest checks are tire pressures and inspection of the rod ends and balljoints. For a complete list of the bushings and front end componenets check the red link in my signature "Big Bronco FAQ's".
As to the wander, there are several components the hold the front end together that will allow the kind of wander you are talking about. Balljoints, tierod ends, radius arm bushings, axle pivot bushings are just a few. Underinflated tires, worn wheel bearings and steering gearbox "slop" can also contribute to the problem. The easiest checks are tire pressures and inspection of the rod ends and balljoints. For a complete list of the bushings and front end componenets check the red link in my signature "Big Bronco FAQ's".
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 566
Likes: 5
From: SC
It certainly may be a combination of problems, but this rings a bell with me.
I've been driving over a year on BFG all-terrain style tires. I recently swapped them out for a set of Goodyear Wrangler HT tires. These are "highway" style tires, NOT offroad at all. My Bronco's steering feels much lighter and now has a pronounced tendency to wander. Same tire sizes and same pressures, the only difference is the brand and tread design. I wouldn't have believed tires would make such a difference but it has and I've still not gotten used to it. Nothing I can't live with, just different and slightly annoying.
I've been driving over a year on BFG all-terrain style tires. I recently swapped them out for a set of Goodyear Wrangler HT tires. These are "highway" style tires, NOT offroad at all. My Bronco's steering feels much lighter and now has a pronounced tendency to wander. Same tire sizes and same pressures, the only difference is the brand and tread design. I wouldn't have believed tires would make such a difference but it has and I've still not gotten used to it. Nothing I can't live with, just different and slightly annoying.
