Posted by oscar on Saturday, January 26, 2002 at 10:03PM :
In Reply to: Driving, Bumps, etc. longish post/question posted by Sean on Saturday, January 26, 2002 at 7:01PM :
Time for a few quick tests
Check the king pins:
Grab a front tire at the 12 o'clock position and shake the truck side to side. If you can feel a knock or any movement in the joints you will need to replace the king pins on both sides. Check both wheels.
Check the drag link:
Have a friend move the steering wheel from the 11 o'clock to the 1 o'clock position and back repeatly. Watch the shaft coming out of the steering box. The shaft should rotate only - no up and down or side to side movement - If there is movement updown or side to side rebuild/replace the steering box. Watch both ends of the drag link. Both end should not have any movement in the joint. Any movement on either end - replace the drag link (try Rare Auto Parts - They can make new if needed).
Check the tie rod ends
move the steering back and forth - look for any movement in the tie rod ends. Any movement replace the tie rod ends.
It is probably time to rebuild the joints on the ends of each spring - front and back.
Check the arch of each spring
You should have 4 inches between the top of the spring and the bottom of the bumper. If the springs have sagged a lot consider rearching or replacing the springs.
You probably need to replace the shocks - Get up on the bumper and try to get the truck bouncing. Once you have it bouncing jump off and count the bounces - If the truck bounces more than once you need shocks.
The top steering bearing at the top of the steering column should not have any side to side movement either.
To improve the ride you will need to change over to radials.The radials do not have the really stiff sidewall so the tires do not follow the road ridges as much.The 900x16 10ply tires are very very stiff. They are a tough tire. You will need flex in the tire to make up for the limited amount of movement in the suspension.
You need to check the seat bottoms is well. The seat should not be saggy.
My guess is that you will need to rebuild a lot of the suspension + change tires + rebuild the seats.
My W200 was a handfull until I changed out the draglink. I still have much to change/fix but the draglink & tires & steering box made an adventure into a fun relaxing ride.
Good luck - take your time (I'd do tires first with some used radicals if you can find them, then draglink, tierod ends, steering box , kingpins, springs and spring ends.).
oscar