Sloppy Steering on 91 E350
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Sweden
Did you try actually just lubing the joints and the top/bottom of the kingpins yet?
Oh yeah, forgot to mention this- the steering box has an adjustment on it. DO NOT MESS WITH IT.
That's the mesh preloading screw. AFAIK it's never a problem in need of adjustment, but if you DO mess with it, it'll probably end up wrong for sure and it'll tend to ruin the box to drive it like that. It can only be readjusted off the vehicle in sort of a complicated procedure.
It's a bad idea to mess with it, but there's just a natural inclination to think you can "tighten up the steering box" by tightening the screw.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention this- the steering box has an adjustment on it. DO NOT MESS WITH IT.
That's the mesh preloading screw. AFAIK it's never a problem in need of adjustment, but if you DO mess with it, it'll probably end up wrong for sure and it'll tend to ruin the box to drive it like that. It can only be readjusted off the vehicle in sort of a complicated procedure.
It's a bad idea to mess with it, but there's just a natural inclination to think you can "tighten up the steering box" by tightening the screw.
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
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I have not lubed the kingpins yet, but I am planning to do that this weekend. I went and had the tires rotated and that seems to have made a difference. It seems there is a bald spot occuring on one of the tires in one spot (wheel balance?) and that is what was causing a lot of the front shimmy. I rotated the tires to the back and it now handles a lot better.
My next project once I get back from the road trip is going to be replacing all of the drag links and possibly even the kingpin if lubing it doesnt make a difference.
What else do you guys think should be done before a road trip? Got everything for an oil change on the engine as well as the axles. Also changing the brake lines and the fluid this weekend too. Anything else im missing??
My next project once I get back from the road trip is going to be replacing all of the drag links and possibly even the kingpin if lubing it doesnt make a difference.
What else do you guys think should be done before a road trip? Got everything for an oil change on the engine as well as the axles. Also changing the brake lines and the fluid this weekend too. Anything else im missing??
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23
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So I finally got around to getting this job done and took it to a shop for evaluation. Their report: basically the whole front end needs to be done.
So I have ordered the full drag link and tie rod end set, kingpin set, and a set of front springs. I then put the van up on jackstands and started taking apart the front end. Sure enough, the hole in the ibeams where the spindle goes through it are worn down. I put the new king pin in there where it is supposed to be and it wiggles. And that king pin is apparently supposed to be machined to fit to begin with. So what now?
Do I just try and find new ibeams? Find some good takeoffs at the junkyard? Or is there something I can do to make my existing ibeams work? Any ideas?
So I have ordered the full drag link and tie rod end set, kingpin set, and a set of front springs. I then put the van up on jackstands and started taking apart the front end. Sure enough, the hole in the ibeams where the spindle goes through it are worn down. I put the new king pin in there where it is supposed to be and it wiggles. And that king pin is apparently supposed to be machined to fit to begin with. So what now?
Do I just try and find new ibeams? Find some good takeoffs at the junkyard? Or is there something I can do to make my existing ibeams work? Any ideas?
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bkr2
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
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Mar 8, 2012 04:53 AM
