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Old 02-14-2008, 10:20 PM   #4
j cAT
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Re: Pitman/idler Arms Question To Those Who've Done It Themselves

Quote:
Originally Posted by ukrkoz
truck is made on 11/99, so i am assuming it's 2000 model.
with setup described, it's not rack and pinion, as rack and pinion does not have trailing rod, pitman, and idler.

symptoms are viscious: if i hit a bump at freeway speed, on slight incline, and wheels turned to the left gently, the whole front may go into severe sidewise and upwise shake. it's mostly felt in steering wheel, as it starts dancing side to side, but up and down bounce is also very much present.

i found a post place else, from 2005, with very similar symptoms. guy had his pitman and idler replaced, and it took care of it.

the whole setup is g'ol paralellogram truck steering geometry. if i count it right, there are 2 tierod end ball joints, trailing rod to tierod end joints, and 2 ball joints for pitman and idler. thus, plenty of parts to go lose. truck "snakes" on the freeway - wonders sidewise as it wishes. not always, but does it time to time. and it ain't getting better. got to the point that i am afraid to drive it on freeway.

as that shake feels like it's amplifying itself - it does, i call it flutter, like in jet wing flutter - i have serious suspiscion that steering damper has some to do with it, as obviously sidewise resonance after bounce is not reduced. i did not have a chance to yenk on trailing rod or check on it otherwise, will do saturday. but before i go under and start tearing it apart, i'd love to talk to someone who's done this before, so i don't do something stupid, and get stuck. it's my daily ride. parts are redily available from local stores, obviously it's a daily issue with trucks.

oh, and i had alignment done by guys i trust some 4 mths ago, and they won't touch it if tierod ends are worn out. it's been maybe 6K miles since, so i don't think tierods blew on me all at a sudden.
my tie rod failed in this mileage time frame as i stated only a very small amount of wear causes this to do as you say the side to side , but this up and down is shocks......how many miles on the shocks....if 50k or more they are probably worn. with shock removed see if they are working properly when you check this weekend the front end....also have you ever adjusted the front torsion bars for Z hieght adjustment ?
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