Re: [AMC-list] Slight vibration in steering wheel at 55 or so ('65 Rambler American)

[Wrambler <wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Did you perhaps mean a 4' length of 2X4" ?!

Technically you check balljoints with them "unloaded"
For our cars you hang the suspension as Tom says, place the jackstands under the subframe and let wheel droop.
Then work the hanging tire with a pipe or 2X4.

With a GM car that runs the spirng to the lower control arm you place the stand or jack under the control arm and work the tire to see if there is play.

There is a little bit of an art to it as you have to induce or find the play if something is worn and fingure out WHAT is worn out!

Mark Price
Morgantown, WV 26508
1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5
2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.7L, Quadratrac II
"I realize that death is inevitable.
I just don't want to be around when it happens!"

----- Original Message -----
From: "tom jennings" <tomj@xxxxxxx>
To: "Rambler AMC, Nash, Jeep and family" <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2009 12:28:35 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [AMC-list] Slight vibration in steering wheel at 55 or so ('65 Rambler American)

Side to side play in these things is often due to the steering box. Both of
my old'uns have worn boxes. Stable, but a bit of wander. I've been meaning
to do up the Classic box, I have a spare (the original).

If it's bad enough, you can simply squat down, grab the top of the tire and
SHAKE THE CRAP OUT OF IT. Shouldn't have ANY noticable slop.

Also, jack up a wheel enough to get a 4" length of 2x4 under it. Lift up on
the 2x4 (far end on the ground) and see if you can "rattle" the suspension
that side. With car weight on it it's harder to notice. Do the same side to
side, though that's less conclusive since the tie rods will move the other
tire etc.

The 2x4 trick is pretty good. Spend a few minutes getting a feel for it, and
you can often figure out where the where is, lower ball joint, etc.

Drop the car on a jack stand with a wheel dangling, get your kid to do the
lifting (or put a rock under it and press down with his foot) and crawl
under the car, look to see what's moving, or put your hand across a part
(trunnion, etc) and see if you can feel part A moving against part B.

Almost certainly, if one side is bad, no point in checking the other, it's
bad too. If one is good, well, check the other :-)

-- 
All of your arguments are invalid.
Enjoy your unstable system.
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