Thread: My car is 'wondering' a bit like a boat on the road

I assume you mean "wandered"?

Change your shockers, and have a look at all your suspension bushes first.

The size of the tyres has nothing to do with it, although the tyre pressure may have.

I would look first for free play in the various suspension links, starting with the panhard rod. Check this by having someone move it back and forth while you make sure that the chassis does not move sideways relative to the front axle. If it does, check where the movement is - probably the panhard rod bushes, but could be the bracket loose on the chassis. Check that the steering box is not loose on the chassis.

Check all the tie rod ends for any free play. Check the bushes at the rear end of the front radius arms for any signs of movement, and use a lever or very large screwdriver to check for movement where the arms are attached to the axle.

At the rear, check all suspension bushes, but especially the ones at the back of the lower link.

Less likely causes of the wandering, but still needing to be checked, jack up each front wheel and check for loose wheel bearings or loose swivel bushes. While you are at it make sure none of the wheels are loose.

You may have more than one issue, so don't assume that once you find a problem that you have found "THE PROBLEM".

If all this checks out OK your issue is most likely to be tyre pressure and how the vehicle is loaded. I don't know the recommended tyre pressures for the Perentie, but the on my equivalent civilian 110 the pressure for full load and high speeds is specified at 60/65psi (F/R).

Looking at that image it looks to me that the way you have loaded/setup your truck it is top and rear heavy.
It looks like most of the weight is on or behind the rear wheels which would affect you steering quite a bit.
Also the more weight that is loaded up on the roof rack the more the truck will have a tendency to sway around.

It might be a simple case of too much weight down aft. Does your steering seem light as well?
Also, if the weight up top is significant, that would exacerbate the problem.

Have a wheel alignment (toe in) done or measure it yourself. Front wheels should be pointing inwards by a couple of mm. If they are the other way around the car will wander as well.


Erich

Originally Posted by Bundalene

Have a wheel alignment (toe in) done or measure it yourself. Front wheels should be pointing inwards by a couple of mm. If they are the other way around the car will wander as well.


Erich

Er, pretty sure it should be toe out 0mm-2mm

Originally Posted by weeds

Er, pretty sure it should be toe out 0mm-2mm

Correct, should be toe-out not toe-in

Erich