How To Adjust Your Swivel Pin Preload
Camel Trophy
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 11
From: Tulsa, OK
Great write up. I tried to start this several years ago but didn't get much help and the RAVE isn't too descriptive. This should help a lot of people. I rebuilt my entire swivels, not knowing you could just do the upper pins. Didn't hurt anything as I am close to 200k now, but had this thread been up, I would have just done the uppers.
After replacing everything and setting the box, the alignment guy couldn't believe how tight it was.
After replacing everything and setting the box, the alignment guy couldn't believe how tight it was.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 23
From: Boston
there are a few things that can affect your "loosy goosey" steering, but pre-load is usually a front runner. If you have the abilty, throw the front end up on jack stands, disconnect the steering linkage to one wheel and see how easy it is to move the wheel around. Should move with effort, but if it's extra floppy thats pre-load.
Baja
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,232
Likes: 52
From: Georgia, USA
Just saw this.
One thing to keep in mind is that the spring balance method of setting bearing preload is only for non-abs vehicles.
Vehicles with ABS are set with a torque wrench using tool LRT-57-024 (or homemade equivalent) as described in service repair 60.15.43 steps 52 & 53.
For both ABS and non-ABS it is set without the swivel housing oil seal installed.
One thing to keep in mind is that the spring balance method of setting bearing preload is only for non-abs vehicles.
Vehicles with ABS are set with a torque wrench using tool LRT-57-024 (or homemade equivalent) as described in service repair 60.15.43 steps 52 & 53.
For both ABS and non-ABS it is set without the swivel housing oil seal installed.
TReK
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 165
From: CT
Just saw this.
One thing to keep in mind is that the spring balance method of setting bearing preload is only for non-abs vehicles.
Vehicles with ABS are set with a torque wrench using tool LRT-57-024 (or homemade equivalent) as described in service repair 60.15.43 steps 52 & 53.
For both ABS and non-ABS it is set without the swivel housing oil seal installed.
One thing to keep in mind is that the spring balance method of setting bearing preload is only for non-abs vehicles.
Vehicles with ABS are set with a torque wrench using tool LRT-57-024 (or homemade equivalent) as described in service repair 60.15.43 steps 52 & 53.
For both ABS and non-ABS it is set without the swivel housing oil seal installed.
Baja
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,232
Likes: 52
From: Georgia, USA
Ideally you'd want to remove your steering damper completely, fix any steering issues, then reinstall it, or install a new one if yours is worn.
Baja
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,232
Likes: 52
From: Georgia, USA
Chris mentioned bearings sort of in passing, but just removing shims should generally be considered a temporary fix. In the ABS type swivels the lower bearing gets crushed over time and just removing shims doesn't address that.
