bump steer, help me choose a fix

[smallcarguy]

Hi folks. My rig (a 1988 4x4 with a cummins 4bt) is my daily driver for the most part, with light off roading.

I have the superlift drop brackets, and the beams are in the upper holes. I also have the superlift drop pitman arm and one-off lift springs that are netting me 4 inches of lift.

I pretty much have this thing dialed in for what I use it for. But I'd like to tame the bump steer I feel while on less than smooth pavement.

This is what my steering geometry looks like sitting on level ground. What do you guys think?

A. Leave it alone, its not bad.
B. swap the pitman arm for the skyjacker extreme fa600.
C. put in the superlift superunner steering kit.
D. Both B and C.

 

[smallcarguy]

Fixed picture

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

First, I'm no expert. But...Here's my advice; Wait for 4x4junkie to give the definitive advice. However I'll go out on a limb and suggest the extreme pitman arm. The pic you show isn't much different than the one in this article; http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2008/steering_tech.htm but from what I see the drop arm would bring the arms level. Also I think the superrunner linkage doesn't need a drop arm, so no to 'b' and 'c' combined.

 

[4x4junkie]

Correct, can't do B & C. C requires a normal-type dropped arm such as Superlift's or the Skyjacker FA400 arm (most likely the arm you have on it now).

Since you have the axle in the upper (4") bracket holes and your springs are 4", the Skyjacker FA600 drop arm by itself should about match that up dead-on (the top pic on the page alwaysfloored linked is 4" lift w/FA600 arm).

 

[smallcarguy]

Thanks fellas. option B it is! I'll get it ordered and take a new pic of it installed

 

[smallcarguy]

Here is the new look with the FA600 installed. Thats a LOT better. It may be about 1/4" too low now, but I'll take it. I havent been able to reproduce any bump-steer at all during my test drives. Seems to have really done the trick

Thanks again guys!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Glad you got it fixed.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

 

[4x4junkie]

Looks good

You could even boost up that frontend a bit with a few washers under each of the lower spring seats to level it out if desired (compensating for the weight of your engine), though it should be fine just as it is too.

Clicky here

.

 

[bobbywalter]

the engine weight is what was pissing you off, it pronounces the flaw you had loudly.


stock engines it is a bit more livable. with is negative your perfect with how it strokes now.



now for the bad news. i have broken 3 sector shafts. if the steering gets loose after trail riding carefully inspect for cracks. that shaft is a box killer.