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View Full Version : Bad trunions... Drive home to fix?


Climb or Slide
11-02-2004, 01:33 PM
Hey guys

Cliffnotes: OK to drive truck w/ bad trunions 6 hours to garage? Tires are heavy and out of round.

I have an 81 pickup with some lift and 35s. The lift is custom, with chevies in the rear, front drop mount, rear 53s, and underframe shackle. It has a lock-right, 5.29s, warn hubs, and the steering is Marlin's kit (hysteer).

I noticed the truck has some play in the wheels (some wandering while driving). SO I checked some things out. Nothing seems to be loose, and there is play in the knuckles. I can move the top of my 35" tire in and out (about 1.25-1.5" total). I have reason to believe this kind of play in camber is caused by the steering bearings in the knuckle (trunion).

The tires I have are 35x15.5x15 TSLs. They are heavily worn, out of round, properly balanced, and bias ply (heavy as hell). They make the whole truck shake at around 55mph. I think these trashy tires are what is causing this whole mess. Unfortunately, I wont have fresh 35x12.5 MTRs until february.

My question is this: Am I likely to cause serious damage to the axle housing or knuckle if I drive from Klamath Falls to Portland to fix this myself? It is about 300 miles, or 6 hours. I am in college and have all my tools back home in Portland.

Thanks guys,

Joey

Klif01
11-02-2004, 06:23 PM
Did you check to make sure the steering arms are tight? Its only like a 17mm bolt 8 per side, give them a tug to make sure. Are your lugs on tight? Me personally if its got that much play, I wouldn't drive it, and I wouldn't want other people driving it on the same road I was on.

Climb or Slide
11-02-2004, 11:24 PM
Strangely it drives pretty tame. I have decided to pull some strings and fix it here. I will be driving a maximum of 2 miles before new bearings are in it. Thanks for your input!

Joey

hammerhead
11-02-2004, 11:44 PM
Good call dude... didn't sound safe to me...