shaking in steering

[lazzboy]

I have a 2001 E 350 with the Quigley 4x4 package. I was curious if anyone has any ideas or input or have had a similar problem that I have when driving.

When traveling at a moderate speed if I encounter a pot hole or a significant hickup in the road I began to get a uncontrolled rattle and shake in my front steering. This is only hampered by minimizing my speed.

I have also had a similar reaction when braking to a stop on a grade, again this is only hampered by pulsing my brakes.

I have also noted a small crack in the front end where the swingarm bracket of the Quigley system is welded to the front axle. I'am unsure if this is the same crack or problem that I have been reading and hearing about with the Quigley package. (hoping to add pics to clarify).

Any ideas or help also I have done several miles off-road and have not done any repairs or maintenance on front end other than brake replacement and greasing zirts.

Thanks,
Scott

Happy Sportsmobiling

[yvrr]

The shaking of the steering could be either a worn track bar bushing, and/or a worn steering dampner (the shock). We have a Quigley 2001 and replaced both of these items together with the drag link end at the pitman arm at 54K.

I'm reading off the service invoice and only have a general idea of what the parts are. I don't recall having shaking problems prior to this service work but probably took it in for an alignment and asked them to check everything. If any of these parts are the problem, you might be able to check by manually pulling on the steering components from underneath the van and seeing if there is any movement...there shouldn't be.

The crack you describe is different and it sounds like you need to have a welding shop fix it. The service issue with the Quigley conversion is with the torque arms or radius arms. These are the arms which are bolted to the frame at one end and to the axle at the other end. (It sounds like your crack is where one of these arms attaches to the axle.) Unless they have been changed already, these arms are U shaped. As I recall, I found a crack midway along one of the arms. I replaced ours at around 66K.

[Bones_GSXR]

My Quigley had a shake in the front and I also changed the Tierod ends (both) and the steering damper. I still get a little shake but no more than any other 4x4 I have had (Jeeps, FJ40's Blazers)
I had a run of bad luck with mine (Tie-rods in May, Tranny in June) but its back on track now (TV top going on next week). As my Van is also a work van my mods have to account for this as well.

[lacoustics]

We recently had the same issue with our 2000 E350 Quigley. We had a local shop replace the tie rod ends and steering damper and machine the front rotors and it is much improved. Before doing this I called quigley and, based on the vin#, they sent me a parts list for my van. Incidentally they suggested replacing the track bar bushings - which we did not do.

[UJOINT]

What you have is "death wobble" and is pretty common on Quigleys. It's almost ALWAYS a trac bar issue. -- You need to get that crack repaired asap.