Steering wheel shake uncontrolably.

[BronBronBronco]

I have a 69 bronco with 3 on the tree and a 302. I had some bald tires on the Bronco so I found a great deal on a set of fairly new tires on some good rims.

After mounting the tires on the Bronco I took it for a drive down the street. About 20 miles an hour the steering wheel starts shaking so bad it feels like the front end or tire is falling off. <_< Worse than a tire out of balance or bent rim. I also just installed a rebuilt steering column today as well.So I motored it home slowly and at very low speed its ok. I looked at the drag link and it has alot of play in it. It looks like the original as it looks like it has a spring load at the ball joint new the pitman arm. Would this cause this eratic shake? Everything else looks ok.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

I looked at the drag link and it has alot of play in it.

There should be NO play in it.

it looks like it has a spring load at the ball joint new the pitman arm

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying here, but it probably is not important that I do.

 

[BronBronBronco]

I looked at the drag link and it has alot of play in it.There should be NO play in it.

it looks like it has a spring load at the ball joint new the pitman arm

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying here, but it probably is not important that I do.

I attached a picture of the end of the drag link that looks like it is spring loaded and loose.

 

[Bully Bob]

Joe's right...i.e. no play., at least not back & forth. (there is some twist)

I thought they discontinued the "spring loaded ball joint" on the tierod end in '67 or '68.

Someone may have put that on for some reason.

At any rate.., the springs tend to "shatter" & cause play.

Soooooo.., your prob. could be one., a combination., or all five.

1) draglink at the tierod joint.

2) ball joint (springs) at the pit. arm

3) if there's a drop bracket on the track bar...it could be loose or broken.

4) worn out track bar bushings.

5) tierod joints at the knuckle.

Get the front axle on good jack-stands & give a "wiggle" to every component related to the steering.

Move the steering wheel & do it some more.... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Just saw the pic. You can take that apart & clean it up & re-grease it (the spring loaded joint.)

It's pretty simple., there's a couple cups., 2 springs., washers., & that top cover. The big end ***** is for tension.

Good chance the springs are broken... if so., you'll be needing a newer style drag-link setup.

"installed a rebuilt steering column today as well"

Assuming this all went together clean-n-tight...?

"I found a great deal on a set of fairly new tires on some good rims."

And BTW.., an out of balance front wheel would really exacerbate any steering weaknesses.

 

[BronBronBronco]

I just looked at the trac-bar & it is tight. Looks original thou.

Bought the complete steering column already rebuilt from www.broncoparts4u.com and it went in great.

I purchased a drag link & will install it and let you know if that takes care of the shaking. I tried to install it yesterday but did not have a ball joint buster to get it apart. I tried smacking the link with a large hammer (always good) after soaking it with wd40 and pull down with a pry bar . No luck. Even tried a puller. Still no luck. Time to get a pickle fork on a air hammer on it unless you have a better way.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Bully Bob]

Fork is the way to go...

There are some variances in the pitman arm small end. Lets hope yours mate up.... B)

Again bal. wheels will help.

Test for trac-bar is wheels on ground...turn str. wheel back & forth...if nose of veh. moves left/right....bushings are shot.

Good luck.,

B

 

[BronBronBronco]

I am going out right now to test the track bar.

Thanks Bob for all you great input! You too Joe...

 

[BronBronBronco]

I put a new drag link on and still had problem with steering shaking.

I removed all four rims & tires and took them to the tire shop to be balanced. I could hear the mechanic's laughing in a distance. When they came out with my tires & rims they showed me two of the tires were they stacked 7.5 ounces of weights. So I put those rims on the back & the better two on the front.

Took the Bronco out for a spin & what do you know, the problem was gone.

I should have learned from past experience that when failure occurs go back to the last thing you replaced or modified as that's always been for me the cause & frustration.

Peace! /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Bully Bob]

That very suggestion was at the bottom of my 1st post..... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

"Smooth" trails to ya fr. now on...!! B)

 

[BronBronBronco]

That very suggestion was at the bottom of my 1st post..... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
"Smooth" trails to ya fr. now on...!! B)

OUCH!! But so true...

Thanks Bob!