Figured out what the bump I have been feeling for months is from. On these Duff radius arms there are bushings between the head unit and the arm itself. They allow more flex as they take away the binding of a traditional radius arm. They also ride smoother with bushings to take up the road vibration. I always thought the mounting tabs for the bushings were too widely spaced because they would bend in at the front when I tightened the bolts, which would put uneven pressure on the bushings. I noticed one of the tabs was contacting the head unit, so metal on metal. I pulled the passenger side radius arm off, bent the tab straight and inserted a steel bushing, which was just a thin fender washer I had here.
Head unit and radius arms.
Shims, temp on the right.
Took it out for another long drive and some light wheelin'. Drove up to Ramona, then up through Black Canyon to Black Mountain Truck Trail. It did the wobble, but it was all in the steering, very light, always at 55 MPH or over, and dissipated quickly. However, the bump was gone. Gone, no more bump bump bumpity bump. I'm on the right track, because the only wear item I haven't replaced within the last six months is the tie-rod rod ends as they felt solid, but are original to the steering so about nine years old. I really like the way it rides on and off road with the new springs and shock valving. Much smoother and not much body roll, nothing like before. It's still very stable off road, even when flexed out. Don't think I will need that rear sway bar I was looking into. I can save my money up for Radflo rear shocks and air bumps.
Flexes good
I pulled both radius arms and added thicker spacers to the outside mounts, which were really just some metric washers with the correct thickness and outer diameter, that I drilled out to snugly fit over the bolts. I replaced the tie-rod rod ends. They were a lot looser than I though as they felt tight when mounted. I could spin the ball in the socket. I measured the toe and it was almost an inch toe in. I started to adjust it to get it closer to 1/4" toe in and the threads were all messed up on one of the rod end's tapered bolts. I think the castle nut tip got bent and gouged the threads all to heck. Ordered a new set, along with four new castle nuts for spares, from BC Broncos which came in today (great company). I also got some Royal Purple PS fluid and am going to drain and replace the fluid with the good stuff.
I also ordered and received today a Garmin Inreach Mini 2 GPS "help me" device. I am not getting any younger, still enjoy being out in the lonely places by myself, and thought it would be a good idea to have one more way to call for help. It requires a subscription, but its only about $12 a month, which will sound cheap if I need it, and sounds cheap if I don't. I can take it with me hiking or wheelin' because it is very small, and pairs with a phone for messaging.
