80 series sways
Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 08:52
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36614
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Old Nick
Hope this one goes to
forum!! My son inlaw has a workmate who has bought an 80 series fulltime 4x4, has 186000 kms on clock and has been
well maintained and is all decked out with extras. Apparently on the bitumen at 100 kph it sways in the body quite quickly, and is very direct in the steering. I have not driven the vehicle but my soninlaw has and says it feels unsafe. They are both good experienced drivers (both drive B-doubles carting logs out of the bush in SA to long and short destinations). The 80 series is fitted with an OME lift kit. Can anyone give me an answer why the cruiser hadles like it does? Is it caused by the lift kit? Can it be fixed? Surely someone on this
forum may have heard or have had this happen to them or is it normal? I will not get back to this
forum until this evening. Regards Nick.
Reply By: Scoey (QLD) - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 08:57
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 08:57
They may be talking about the good ol' "80 Series Lurch" - you get used to it.
They could also be talking about a much more serious problem! Plenty of experts on this
forum will be able to provide advice on the latter....
Cheers
Scoey.
PS I'm used to the lurch in my 80 and now when I jump in the other halfs VT Commodore it feels extremely 'twitchy'!!! ;-)
AnswerID:
188051
Reply By: Member - Cruiser (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 09:15
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 09:15
I have had 2 80 series and both have had after market suspensions on them, and they dont lurch, so I suspect that there is a problem somewhere in the
suspension, however not being a mechanic, I cannot offer any suggestion as to what.
I would suggest getting it to a
suspension specialist and have it looked at.
AnswerID:
188057
Follow Up By: ross - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 09:59
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 09:59
I agree. The 80 series is very stable for a large 4wd on the highway.
I suspect the steering needs an inspection. It may need an alignment to suit the lift.
FollowupID:
445294
Reply By: crewser - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 10:14
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 10:14
How high has it been lifted? what size tyres has it got? Lift and bigger tyres will make it move around on the road ,more so if tyres are new. also if lifted was the castor angle checked. take it to a tyre
shop and get them to check wheel alinement and more important castor angle. then go from there.
AnswerID:
188083
Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 10:18
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 10:18
Could the sway bars be disconnected or even removed?
This gives great wheel articulation but not good road handling characteristics.
Cheers, Trevor.
AnswerID:
188085
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 12:46
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 12:46
I'm with Cruiser,
What is an OME lift?
A lift can be 50mm, 100mm, or if someone is certifiable, 150mm.
You can have a body lift, a
suspension lift, or both,
Coupled with bigger diameter
wheels and tyres, you could end up with a vehicle looking similar to a container carrier. (and about as stable)
I think we need a little more information?
AnswerID:
188121
Follow Up By: BenSpoon - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 14:55
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 14:55
old man emu
FollowupID:
445377
Reply By: Hairy - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 12:52
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 12:52
As some said get your castor angle checked.
I fitted higher
suspension to
mine and had to get a castor kit fitted because of the same problem, it ride great now. 140 kmh and no sway whatsoever.
Under $200 too
Cheers
AnswerID:
188122
Reply By: Roughneck - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 22:02
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 22:02
Hi Old Nick I have the same trouble with my 80 series and what I have been told is that when you raise the front, the front axle tilts foward and puts your caster out, what they want to do to
mine is put new rubbers in the two arms that hold the front axle with offset holes in them , then they can alter the caster by ajusting the rubbers . The rubbers in WA are about $160 and they said about two hours labour pluss the cost of wheel alignment. Hope this helps . Cheers from Roughneck
AnswerID:
188257
Reply By: Old Nick - Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 22:52
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 at 22:52
Thanks one and all for your answers. I will print them out and pas them onto the bloke with the problem and he can decide which way to go from there- answers were helpful to solving a problem , keep it safe, regards Nick.
AnswerID:
188267