Steering wheel wiggle at 55mph+

[cstarbard]

Ive been working the kinks out of my 96 2.3 4x4 (TTB), vibrated and generally handled pretty bad when I got it. Lot of issues with drive line angles, bushings, mounts, toe etc

I've got the truck to the point where it will hold a straight line and not wander at highway speeds on a good road, most if not all drive line vibration is gone, but there is one odd issue remaining. At 55 or so mph and up, the steering wheel wiggles left to right. Not noticeable at speeds below that. I don't feel any vibration in the ride, or in the cab, or even in the steering wheel- it just kind of wiggles back and forth. Not violent, does not affect track, just a weird annoyance. Any idea what could cause that? Is this common with the TTB front end?

Other strange thing I've noticed: when steering wheel locks, the wheel is pointed right slightly, not centered. Guessing that is not related, but wondering if that's normal as well

I do not seem to have any loose tie rod ends or other steering links. Wheel bearings are new and the locknuts have not loosened up. I have the toe set to 1/16" in, which should be in spec? I have not balanced my tires which I realize is an obvious thing I should do to rule it out, but they are getting close to the wear bars and I plan on getting new ones very soon so I will wait on that til I put new ones on

Thanks in advance

 

[adsm08]

Your front tires are not balanced correctly.

 

[Dirtman]

I have not balanced my tires which I realize is an obvious thing I should do

Thanks for taking the time to answer your own question!

 

[cstarbard]

Hah! Thanks guys. Appreciate it. Just don't know enough to do know if that was the issue or not.

Clearly I will get my new ones balanced when I get them. I meant to get the current ones balanced but they were used and didn't have a lot of life left so I just didn't bother knowing I'd get new ones soon anyway

Thanks as always!

 

[4x4junkie]

Make sure they do what is called "Dynamic balancing" on your tires, otherwise the wiggle could still remain afterward (some places cheap out and only do a "static balance" because it generally uses less wheel weights).

 

[Dirtman]

Make sure they do what is called "Dynamic balancing" on your tires, otherwise the wiggle could still remain afterward (some places cheap out and only do a "static balance" because it generally uses less wheel weights).

Excellent point!

Cant tell you how many times I've seen guys with those goofy imports who refuse to get the wheels properly balanced because they dont want a weight on the outside of the rim. "It looks ugly!". Then they bitch about shakes at certain speeds. On a car with huge offset wheels you can usually dynamic balance with one weight way inside, and one weight way outside but both on the inner side of the rim (with stickies). Truck rims are usually pretty small offsets, you need real weights on both sides.

I've never been to a place in this day and age that would take a daily driver truck and try to static balance anymore except when I worked at a shop that did 4x4 work. We did a static balance then loaded up the shot. These were trucks that did not belong on the highway or even basic roads and they all signed a huge form before we would put tires on.

 

[cstarbard]

Thanks again guys, that's great to know. Much appreciated.

 

[adsm08]

Make sure they do what is called "Dynamic balancing" on your tires, otherwise the wiggle could still remain afterward (some places cheap out and only do a "static balance" because it generally uses less wheel weights).

Go one step farther. Find a place with a RoadForce balancer and specifically request that be done. Although most places worth what you pay them that have one will do it to new tires anyway.

 

[cstarbard]

Go one step farther. Find a place with a RoadForce balancer and specifically request that be done. Although most places worth what you pay them that have one will do it to new tires anyway.

Thanks for the tip!

I had my local wal mart balance the last set of wheels and tires I brought in, they actually told me they do Roadforce balancing and there were wheel weights on both sides of the wheels, I was surprised to find how ridiculously smooth that truck went down the road after, I guess I'll do that again

Sad to say the alignment shop I have always gone to has been going to pot, they didn't even touch the toe or anything else on a ttb ranger my brother brought there, not sure they did anything other than a static balance from what you guys are describing