3000 mile trip-figured I better introduce myself

[73Style]

We just stopped for the night after our first 400 miles. Everything is running great, but it is wandering on the highway. We have new Bilstein 300 psi shocks up front. Hard to keep in the lane. Did I overshock the front? Alignment specs for 35"s? Not sure where we are off. Definitely a two handed drive right now.

 

[Skiddy]

if it just start doing it, check to make sure everything is still tight. check your tire pressure. if it hasn't just start doing it let us know, maybe we can give some tips

 

[DirtDonk]

Hard to say if you overshocked it just from the pressure rating (though that is pretty hefty!) without the valving specifications. And single shocks or duals?
Either way, too much shock doesn't usually leave you wandering. Just bouncing.

Did I miss what else you have done to the rig? Suspension height, steering mods and such?
Wat about re-torquing after that first few hundred miles? Your u-bolts loosening up in the rear can give you some nice little wandering issues.
So can a loosening trackbar. If the bushings are new, then perhaps a mount or bolt is coming loose?
Steeper steering linkage angles will just make any little thing more noticeable as it wears in/out/off.

What mods were done to the steering? Because of the lift kit or whatever other reasons.

Tire pressures staying the same? One tire leaking might do it too. And these days, if you're running a metric truck tire with an E rating, you might not even notice it looking flatter. You'll still feel it as it loses air, but you won't see it since it's so stiff it'll hold up a Bronco even at zero psi!

Good luck. Keep up the fun!

Paul

 

[ransil]

try 25 pasi for the tires
nothing else will be a quick fix

 

[bronconut73]

try 25 pasi for the tires
nothing else will be a quick fix

Agreed...Tires are prolly crowned. Bring that PSI down until you got all of your tread on the ground. That will make a big difference.

 

[clarrance]

You could also try toeing in your steering linkage. Just mark where it is currently and turn it in 1-2 turns. If it helps drive it, if not turn it back to where you started. The toe in can be off by 1/8" and make it drive like crap.

 

[73Style]

I can retorque ubolts this morning. New larger bolts. Has to drill out holes and I noticed they are at a slight angle still. 3.5 lift progressives up front. 11pack 3.5 rear leafs new and riding high. Bilstein 5125 up front and old cage shocks rear. It's a total jumble of parts. Goodyear mtr 35/12.5/15.

Tires are at 28. I worried about the heavy load. Is 25 still good loaded down for a week? That is definitely easiest thing to fix!

 

[bronconut73]

Just check your tread with the chalk mark.

Rub it across the tread then drive a little. If you are wearing the chalk off almost all the way across the tread then you are laying your whole tread down.
But do what feels right. Don't let us push your tire pressure down to a range you don't feel comfortable with.
But 28 psi wouldn't scare me a bit.
Have fun. What a cool trip to take.

 

[sprdv1]

Seems a little low for me too.. Keep on truckin man

 

[Justafordguy]

If the tires are E rated, I would try 25psi in the front. If the rear u-bolts/springs are new and you didn't re-torque them after a few hundred miles, they will be loose. If they are heavy duty bolts you should go to 95-100ft-lbs.

 

[tabascom16]

I had this issue before I restored my Bronco. You could not look away from the road for even a split second. Especially if the road would lean one direction or the other, my Bronco really liked to dart that way. In my case it was the hole in the frame bracket that the track bar attached to. It was worn out over the years about 1/16" to 1/8". Not saying this is your problem, but it could be. Did you replace the track bar when you put your lift on and notice the bolt hole?

Squatting too much in the back if you are loaded down can make it feel light and wonder on the road.

Others I see have posted other legit reasons it may wonder.

We just stopped for the night after our first 400 miles. Everything is running great, but it is wandering on the highway. We have new Bilstein 300 psi shocks up front. Hard to keep in the lane. Did I overshock the front? Alignment specs for 35"s? Not sure where we are off. Definitely a two handed drive right now.

 

[73Style]

670 miles from NC to Scranton. Made it to the starting line last Night. Running strong. We get release at 6:30!

 

[half cab]

Ready...set..GO!;D good luck

 

[sprdv1]

670 miles from NC to Scranton. Made it to the starting line last Night. Running strong. We get release at 6:30!

Glad to hear it....

 

[tasker]

Keep up the good work!!

 

[73Style]

Watkins Glenn NY

 

[bbaltered]

I guess there must be certain routes that you have to follow if you are in Watkins Glen .

 

[73Style]

That stop was just for fun. Wanted to see the race track. It only added a few miles to go that way and it was way more scenic.

We got a packet this morning that had 10 possible stops for the day with points associated for each one. We have to make it back to the hotel lobby in Pittsburgh by 8pm to get our daily points.

 

[bbaltered]

It is nice country down there .

 

[DirtDonk]

...New larger bolts. Has to drill out holes and I noticed they are at a slight angle still.

That's what they'll do if you just enlarged the holes concentrically. You need to drill any spring plate holes to the outside only. The vertical line of the leaf spring is already at the inner edge of the existing hole, so any further inward you drill will just put the u-bolts at an angle trying to get around the leaves.

How big did you go? 9/16" or 5/8" diameter? Either one can be torqued to the point that it will deflect the stock top plate. So you're limited to well under 100 lbs if I remember.
Between the angle and the potentially loose initial tightening, I would definitely double-check the u-bolts. Loosen then re-torque them to a proper spec.
If the plates won't hold the proper torque for the bolt without deforming too much, some heavier aftermarket plates would be called for. There are some good ones out there these days, so not a problem to find some.

Goodyear mtr 35/12.5/15.
Tires are at 28. I worried about the heavy load. Is 25 still good loaded down for a week? That is definitely easiest thing to fix!

Your 28 is probably fine for normal use. But if loaded a lot I might even be tempted to play with higher pressures. But as someone asked what load range and max pressure rating do your particular tires have listed on the sidewall.
How much of a load do you have in the back?

As someone also mentioned, the added weight in the back and the different heights front-to-rear can effect handling. Usually too high in the front is worse, but either way by too much can really mess with things.
Normally the worst is a too-heavy load for a given vehicle. Not only will it lift the front up to catch more air, but it also unloads the front too. Making for some strange characteristics. But if yours is high in the rear still from the new springs, you're probably catching a break.

Tire pressures.
Toe-in
Loose bolts
Worn trackbar bolts, holes, bushings etc. (even just slightly worn)
Lower trackbar bolt loose from it's stitch weld cracking (fairly common)
Angles too steep on the draglink and trackbar.
Too much weight in the back for a short wheelbase high center of gravity utility vehicle.
Tire wear.
Ride height.
Loose wheel bearings (front OR rear)
Cracked frame behind the steering box
Worn steering linkage (even slightly worn)

Those are just some of the things that can make a Bronco wander.

But have fun anyway!!!

Paul