Manuel Steering fix

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TF360

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So I have a D100 with Manuel Steering. Truck came with 195/75/15 Tires, but it has 205's right now. I'm wondering if I go to a light weight Rim, will it help with turning at very slow speed. Anybody done this? Thoughts?
 
NO. Steering is affected by condition and lube of components, by caster/ camber settings, tire size, and WHEEL OFFSET. "Custom" offset wheels for no other reason than "wide stance" appearance can cost you both for steering effort and handling.

Within tire size, tread design could certainly be at least a bit noticable
 
Thanks 67Dart. I already greased the front end, so maybe a skinny tire would help?
 
Haha, I have a V8 Duster with Manuel Steering, and it's a lot eaiser to steer. Trying to narrow down the cause, and a fix.
 
So I have a D100 with Manuel Steering. Truck came with 195/75/15 Tires, but it has 205's right now. I'm wondering if I go to a light weight Rim, will it help with turning at very slow speed. Anybody done this? Thoughts?
Sell me the D100 and buy a Tacoma. :rofl:

It's a big truck with manual steering. If you want to make it easier to steer, add power steering.
 
No, the Truck is light. It's a Slant 6 with no A.C. and no power steering. I think it's only about 3,500 lbs. It should be a little easier to steer.
 
Haha, I have a V8 Duster with Manuel Steering, and it's a lot eaiser to steer. Trying to narrow down the cause, and a fix.
i was serious about the tire pressure.

okay, maybe not 65 but go make sure you're not trying to roll into the TJ Max parking lot on like 12psi or whatever.

anyway, 195's to 205's shouldn't make more than a gnat's *** of difference unless you swapped some mastercraps for potenza RE71's or something.

check your criticals: alignment, gearbox lash, components for binding, pressure.

also, your south of the border steering is suspect. might wanna look into that...
 
Thanks Junkyard. I did pump up the tires to the max level, and it helped some. I want to get it eaiser though
 
Truck came with 5.5 inch wheels. I'm thinking maybe I'll go to a 5" lightweight Rim, and a tire that's a little skinner than stock
 
Yea, can you believe it's a factory 195 on a 5.5 in Rim. D100 Slant no power anything
 
that's IFS then

check your alignment and components.

i mean, i don't know what you expect out of a 4800lb truck, but skinny-ing up them fronts and going with a lighter rim is just flushing money down the toilet.

at least it'd be easy to convert to power if you go that route. probably cheaper than a gym membership.
 
Back in the 60's the Dodge dealer I worked at we would use STP in the box if a customer complaint came in.
Not much lube from the factory in 'um just some grease. Now a days I use Luberplate as most lower seals don't seal after 40 or so years.
 

You may also check the idler arm. If no grease fitting on the frame bushing side it may be stiff.
 
Re adjust the box. Many times people tighten the adjuster to eliminate play without it being centered. There is a high spot on the sector to prevent wonder when going straight. Once past that high spot in either direction it should steer easy unless it was over tightened when not centered. It is critical when a alignment is done that the box is centered. so when steering in either direction it comes down off the high spot. The high spot like I said is to prevent wonder when going straight.

Also is the lube to thick.? Shops use to pump grease in the box to tighten them up. Use the proper recommended lube after cleaning it out . I can steer my car with one hand with a tuff wheel and manual box.

One other thing is caster. Negative caster It steers easier, Positive Caster steers harder.


  • Caster is the forward or backward tilt of the steering axis in reference to an imaginary vertical line viewed from the side.
  • Positive caster ensures the vehicle moves straight with little to no steering wheel correction.
  • Negative caster improves steering at the expense of handling and stability when driving in a straight line.
 
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