Swivel ***** are separate from the wheel bearings. The tension on them needs to be set or it will want to self steer badly. This is, of course, assuming your ball joints and steering box are ok.

 

Here is an excellent instructional / pictorial, for checking and adjusting preload.


http://www.***.hiof.no/~frodehaa/swivelpinpreload.htm

 

Now you are on the right track.
Also check each bushing and tie rod end. It is alway good to crawl the length of your truck, once a year , and retorque all bolts and nuts. You will be surprised at what you may find loose.

 

1ST--- This is not something to do for occasional mechanics --

If you're comfy with it,


IF you jack up your truck, grab the front tires @ 12 & 6 position, try & shake it off the mandatory jackstands, & feel vertical play, then your swivel brgs. are loose.
(tho' I think they could still be light on preload w/o play)

IF you feel play, remove (2) bottom bolts holding bottom swivel brg cap on offending side.
(Careful - Do NOT drop shims off of cap)

Remove thinnest shim & reinstall cap, drive it around & see if it solved the issue.
If not, replace shim & remove the next thicker one, etc.

THAT'S the concept - I've never had to do it, but it seems reasonable to me especially
given today's economic environment. It could take several tries.

I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I'd pop the tie rods for that wheel, remove wheel & then I'd set some preload to turn steering on that wheel.

You see it could be time consuming, the brits use a fishing scale to set preload so they don't test drive each time.

If you haven't already, I'd download the rave cd (shop manuals) & read them.

This is predicated on your sufficient mechanical abilities & I encourage Nobody to undertake repairs themselves if it's beyond their abilities.

luck,greg

 

you guys are awesome. I didn't realize that i could adjust the tension on the swivel *****. I'm comfortable doing anything and everything when it comes to working on vehicles, been a shade tree mechanic since before i could drive. I love disco's i just don't know them inside out yet. I have been through a 4.0 completely, i have it sitting ready to swap out my tired 4.0. I'm going to check the preload this weekend and see what i find.

 

Cool, I'll try (I'm one lazy man) to look up the preload drag on the spindle arm.

If memory serves, the (2)bolts @ bottom of swivel come out, pull swivel pin, the shims should drop with pin. (pay attention tho')

Mine's fine so I've not pulled them, I did however, repair gouged swivel ball & install new seal w/o removing from car --- cool

luck,greg

 

Yeah, I got that death wobble in the Jeep. Jesus, talk about getting the $hit shaken outta ya...