LC Axle Alignment / Suspension
Submitted: Saturday, Dec 09, 2006 at 12:03
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Member - Hughesy (SA)
Need some help!! I fitted HD raised
suspension to me 100 series over 6 months ago and because its only really used as a tourer haven't done alot of bitumen km's in it. Anyway until I fitted the 3deg castor correction it used to handle woefully. Now it handles alright when driving in a straight line but the other weekend I went to Coffins Bay (650km) and every time I cornered at highway speed, it would be steering great then get this sudden unsettled feel about it.
Anyway I've checked all the
suspension compnents and none have any excessive wear, but what I did notice is that the axle is not centre with the vehicle. Its about an inch and a half further to the right side. I know you can get adjustable panhard rods for big lifts but mines only about 3 and a bit inches (when unloaded).
I remember when doing the rear
suspension it said to take the panhard to diff bolt off and when I lowered the vehicle (with new
suspension on) the panhard didn't line up with the hole in the diff. We had to shake and push the vehicle to get it to line up.....which I reckon is whats caused the diff to be to one side...???
Will an adjustable panhard rod fix the unsettledness when steering?? It does feel like something is suddenly moving adn then unsettling the vehicle.
What is moving to cause the issue??
Any tips or hints would be great.
Reply By: V8Diesel - Saturday, Dec 09, 2006 at 12:17
Saturday, Dec 09, 2006 at 12:17
If yours is a 105 (the live axle front end) then from my experience you can ruin a great vehicle with an over enthusiastic lift.
Mine never felt 'quite right' no matter what I did or who worked on it. I went back to 40mm ( I think) Lovells from the 4" Kings in the front and it is a pleasure to drive again. 4WD Monthly did a 105 up with a big lift and they said it was a handfull to drive (and that was an advertisement too).
Plenty out there mind you, but lowering the front back down to a reasonable level made all the difference to me.
Have you got air bags in the back? I found I was running them far too high and it gave me a real rolling sensation. Dropped them down to around 5lbs and it is much, much better to drive.
AnswerID:
209445
Follow Up By: Member - Hughesy (SA) - Saturday, Dec 09, 2006 at 12:31
Saturday, Dec 09, 2006 at 12:31
Yeah its a 105. It is a Lovels spring set but its only supose to be a 2 inch lift. Now I measured close on 4 inches but thats not to say the orignal toyota springs weren't sagged to buggery (its got 250K).
When I did the Simpson this year I had the girl loaded up and only did about 15km of bitumen driving and bit hard to tell on the dirt whats being caused by the
suspension or just the road. But this trip the other day all on bitumen (and fully unloaded) was quite unnervy at times.
No airbags in the back.
I know what your saying about the over enthusiastic lift. When I fitted this gear at home and dropped the car on the new springs and they didn't budge I was at 2 minds to change to just HD and not raised.
I couldn't get over the size diffference in coil diamter and weight between the Lovels and the Toyota ones.....BLOODY HUGE.
FollowupID:
469444
Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Saturday, Dec 09, 2006 at 18:30
Saturday, Dec 09, 2006 at 18:30
how ya goin Hughesy,
I also have a 105, and also bought HD coils thru Don kyatt(terrain taimer)which I'm told are manufactured by lovells.
when I fitted my coils ,like you,
the springs didn't move, once the vehicle was on the ground, and drove like a pig.
I took the vehicle back to where I got
the springs and complained about the height/handling (I didn't want 4")cos I did research suggesting that a big lift leads to other probs such as castor as
well as rego/ins (if in a accident)
That was about 2 months ago and
the springs have settled nicely after I spent the day criss-crossing erosion ruts(members rig photos) deliberately trying to get a wheel off the ground (so that the vehicles weight was on two springs) This was suggested to me from a retailer to "assist" with the settling in. My 105 handles good now with no castor correction,It does pick up ruts a bit, nothing exciting, corners good, can drive at speed 'round corners one handed with out fear ands thats on 235/85 16s.
When I fitted my coils I didn't take off my panhard rods and I don't know why it was suggested.
In the
Gregory w/
shop manual, castor angles only have to be out 1deg. to be out of spec. maybe when you got your 3 deg. kit done it was right, but
the springs may have settled and caused the castor to wind back too far
It might pay to get another wheel align(WITH castor) If all other steering components are fine
I had a close look at my 105 now and front axle does stick out towards driver side by only 10-15mm and it took me some time to find
cheers
Shane
AnswerID:
209491
Follow Up By: Member - Hughesy (SA) - Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 06:38
Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 06:38
Thanks Shane. Looking at the front diff, there is still plenty of angle (tilt) on the diff so I don't think the 3 deg castor corr is too much.
Yeah I had the
Gregory's and it said to remove Panhard - and because it was 1 bolt I did it. Just getting it back together was difficult. I didn't fall for the same mistake when I did the front.
I got a wheel alignment after the castor corr and the guy said it was way out....not surprising really.
You don't often hear of people putting adjustable panhard rods on after a mild lift.....thats why I can't understand whats causing the issue.
FollowupID:
469603
Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 13:39
Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 13:39
Have you checked the other "basics" tyre pressures, bearings .If the wheel alignment is right,the
suspension is right,where else can it be wrong?
what's left?
steering box, tie rods, swivel hub bearings(king pins),if you jack it up find some movement in the wheel, the wheel alignment place SHUOLD'VE found an issue (these items where of issue).
This is all I can really help you with
AnswerID:
209590