New owner questions

[marbleman]

Hi all! I just bought a 1993 T100 SR5 4X4 with 170,000 miles. It's in rough shape and needs some TLC. The steering has a mind of it's own at times and when I checked it out all the joints seem tight but the bar connecting the two wheels seems really springy. I think this is causing the poor steering. The rod recall has been performed. Any suggestions?

Thx

[65riv]

When do you notice it? If it's most noticeable upon acceleration, I'd lean toward 'torque steer', but that is unlikely if unless the tranny's been worked on. Hmm, guess you wouldn't know that, since you just bought the vehicle. If it's jmore of a shimmy at constant highway speed, more than likely bearings.

Others here will most likely weigh in.

[marbleman]

At high speeds (about 50-60) it shimmies slightly. At low speeds (about 35) it seems that when it hits a flaw in the road it drifts real quick then comes right back. Maybe I'm worrying too much about it? I'll do more investigating and let you know what else I find. I would really like to get the majority of the slop out of the steering wheel though. Any help there?

[65riv]

You can't really go wrong with replacing the bearings, which it seems like from the behavior you mentioned. When the bearings are in their last days, the shimmy is less pronounced at higher speed, probably because the high tire revolutions are masking the effect. In the off chance that it's not the bearings, if you do the work yourself, it's an easy job once the front wheels are off. Haven't done mine yet on this vehicle, but past jobs have been under $50 for the parts.

[marbleman]

Thanks... So is that main bar supposed to flex?

[greent]

Take a look at the idler arm. It has a habit of wearing the bushings out, since you can't grease them.