Safari buying troubles

[Forged]

Im looking to buy a safari 1991 SWB diesel to get into the off road game, however the first problem is it has a steering wheel shudder at 60kph-66kph and comes back at around 120kph, the seller has told me that it began when he switched to 33" BFgoodrich, do you think this would be alinement issues or the common warn bushings death wobble thing?

also i found it had play in the drive line somewhere when changing gears 3rd-4th and 4th-5th when letting the clutch out quickly (kind of dumping) with the clunk coming from the rear diff. it was also prominent when leaving it in gear eg 3rd and decelerating then adding throttle immediately, also feeling like it was coming from the rear diff.

My brother said it was common to have play in these big commercial trucks, his hilux did this. Can someone advise whether this is not normal and could be a warn/broken diff or drive shaft play....

Sorry for the all the questions, I am from a road race background, mainly racing hondas, and do not have much knowledge on these vehicles.

Many Thanks
Andrew

[Dirtydog]

Could be that the rear diff isnt setup properly, but could also be something to do with gearbox.

As for the wobbly front thing, i got a safari diff under my terrano and it starts doing the same thing, but i think thats due to needing an alignment.

[Forged]

yea, it could be gearbox related, the truck has a gearbox spacer due to the 2 inch suspension lift?

[Dirtydog]

Havnt delt with gearbox spacers, so not of any help there, check the driveshaft Universals for any play aswell, someone i know has a navara thats got a buggerd Universal and it does the same thing, fine in low gears but as soon as you get above 3rf is really starts throwing a wobbly. (its at the point where the driveshaft can rotate 1/8th before diff side starts moving)

[curly12]

..

[passengerpete]

As for the wobbly front thing, i got a safari diff under my terrano and it starts doing the same thing, but i think thats due to needing an alignment.

just thinking out loud hear but, the angle of your front arms is very steep. similar to a safari with a 4'' lift. could it be a caster issue, ?

[stinky]

Nah you guys don't know shit its a common problem most safaris have it the wobble is because the air all rushes to the top of the tire as it spins there by creating a flat spot at the bottom and hence the wobble

[Ralfie]

Im looking to buy a safari 1991 SWB diesel to get into the off road game, however the first problem is it has a steering wheel shudder at 60kph-66kph and comes back at around 120kph, the seller has told me that it began when he switched to 33" BFgoodrich, do you think this would be alinement issues or the common warn bushings death wobble thing?

also i found it had play in the drive line somewhere when changing gears 3rd-4th and 4th-5th when letting the clutch out quickly (kind of dumping) with the clunk coming from the rear diff. it was also prominent when leaving it in gear eg 3rd and decelerating then adding throttle immediately, also feeling like it was coming from the rear diff.

My brother said it was common to have play in these big commercial trucks, his hilux did this. Can someone advise whether this is not normal and could be a warn/broken diff or drive shaft play....

Sorry for the all the questions, I am from a road race background, mainly racing hondas, and do not have much knowledge on these vehicles.

Many Thanks
Andrew

I would be checking the wheel balance.
Especially if its just a shake or shudder as you suggest.

[Forged]

Yes, I read up in another thread

To correct the wheel shimmy, try things in this order:

Wheel Balance
Pan hard Rod Bushes
King Pin bearings

Would it be a good idea to put castor adjusters in for the 2inch lift? and Why?

Finally judging by the response there shouldnt be play in the diff as described? I will look into seeing where the play is coming from.

Thanks

[coxsy]

generally caster correction is not needed for a 2'' lift, check other bits first your on right track

[Dirtydog]

As for the wobbly front thing, i got a safari diff under my terrano and it starts doing the same thing, but i think thats due to needing an alignment.

just thinking out loud hear but, the angle of your front arms is very steep. similar to a safari with a 4'' lift. could it be a caster issue, ?

yea i may have a look into that, ill chuck her in for an alignment anyway, and if it still does it i will get some correction bushes for her and see if that helps.

[Twodiffs]

With the clunk from the rear also check that the pinion nut is tightened to correct torque, may not be which will cause said clunk as well.

Your correct in thinking 'death wobbles' for front end shimmy, usually fixed by fitting new front panhard bushes and/or king pin bearings.