I need some help

[roobs]

Gday,
I have an 06 turbo diesel Gu ute with a serious wobble problem at just over 80 but is intermittent comes and goes as it pleases, I know this has been discussed many times before but i cant seem to get rid the problem and the cost is really starting to add up. I have done every thing to my knowledge : new front wheel bearings, new pan-hard rod bushes, new leading arm bushes, new sway bar bushes, new king pin bearings, new shocks front and back also replaced all the bushes in the back and when all that failed i put brand new rims and new A/T tires on all corners. All the ball joints seem fine but i have noticed a clunk noise in the steering box could this be the problem? This is a little dodgy but when i hang my head out the window while the car does its thing the front wheels are wobbling left to right not bouncing but it feels like a bounce. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

Regards
Adam

[the ferret]

Could be the steering box, could be the drag link/pitman arm loose.
Is there a lot of play in the steering wheel, as what you desribe is a wheel balance problem.
Some adjustment of the steering box may be the go.
Also check the bolts holding the steering box to the chassis.
Cheers, the ferret.

[roobs]

cheers the ferret, I have adjusted the steering box nearly to the point where there no adjustment left but there is still play with a clunk noise when i turn the steering wheel side to side, nothing seems to be loose I have checked the bolts holding the steering box and there are tight, I have had the car at a mechanics and they couldn't sort the problem either they told me they checked everything, wheels have been balanced a couple of times and i have been assured they are Ok. I have had three sets of wheels on the car and all three made no difference. It seems to be more aggressive on smooth roads and not to bad on the exposed blue stone type of roads which makes no sense to me. Also if i hit a pot hole it puts the car into and uncontrollable shake and i have to completely stop the car and when start again it goes away.
The patrol only has a 2inch lift and the tires on it now are standard size.

[97_gq_lwb]

Have you checked the chassis for cracks .

[roobs]

where would i check for cracks? surely it couldn't be cracked it hasn't really done anything to serious and its not that old, plus its a leaf cab chassis which i was under the impression where stronger? I will get a good light and go have a look now.
cheers 97_gq_lwb

[the ferret]

Check for sideways movement at the spring shackles, this could be the clunk you are hearing, has the toe in been checked? along with castor and camber.
Try swapping the wheels from front to back, you may have a lumpy tire, even tho they are brand new.
I had a simliar problem once when a tyre fitter left a balance weight INSIDE the tyre LOL
Also check for broken centre bolt in springs.
Cheers, the ferret.

[roobs]

Shackle bushes on the back are all new, every bush on the car is new, I checked for cracks i chassis and all seems to be good. replaced steering dampener no change... It has castor corrector bushes (new ones) in the leading arms and had a wheel alignment when the new rims and tires where fitted. I just disconnected the drag link from steering box and turned the steering wheel side to side clunk is definitely from the steering box but play seems to be within reason and the noise might even be normal dose any one else have a noise from the steering box? Anyway i found that ball joint on the right side of the drag link has a tiny amount of play.. could that miniscule amount of movement be the problem?

Thanks again the ferret, i have had this problem on and off for a good six months now so all ideas are helpful. I just want to be able to drive my truck over 80 without crapping myself when she does her dance.

[macca]

Not sure of correct names for parts, we had worn "spindles" when front wheels were off the ground the wheel could be lifted up and down like it had worn bearings or ball joints.
BUT could not move forward and back. The bearing had spun on the "spindle" and worn the bottom of it allowing the wheel to move one direction only.
It was that bad that tightening the bearing did not help.
I know it was damn expensive repair, but the front is nice and tight now.
Just a thought,
Macca

[roobs]

Thanks macca i will jack the front up and have a look.

[GUtsy ute]

Hi roobs,
You have covered all of this below, these are just my thoughts so far.
Were the new panhard rod bushes genuine Nissan ones or ones of equal quality?
These are critical in stopping wheel wobble, as cheap ones don't work properly.
Also if you haven't yet, take it to a reputable wheel alignment place and get a castor sweep done.
This will tell you if the correct castor correction bushes have been fitted.
Also these and any other bushes need to be good quality.
Did you fit a good quality heavy duty steering dampner, as the original sized ones are not up to the job.
Were the swivel hub bearings shimmed correctly?
From memory they have a .5mm shim under each cap from new.
you can buy shims of varying thickness to get the clearances spot on from Nissan.
This is also critical in eliminating wobble.
I'm sure there is a thread on here about this.
Did you replace the rear bushes on the front arms?
Keep us posted on this issue and I'll look for more info on the swivel hub shimming.

Cheers Gavin

[roobs]

Thanks for the feed back GUtsy ute,
Panhard rod bushes were genuine Nissan ones (done them myself) but the leading arm bushes are not and only the front 2 bushes on left and right leading are were changed, would of liked rubber bushes but the mechanic done these without discussing it with me, along with a lot of other stuff.
Im going to get back into it this weekend got a new steering box coming and adjustable panhard rod, and adjustable draglink so I'll take it in and get all the alignment stuff done after i get them in. I'll get a good return to center steering dampener too. Going to do it all myself now i have a bit of time so i know it actually been done.
I had some road base in the tray on the weekend less then a tonne and as soon as i got to 80 shit hit the fan had to pull off into the center island haha. Its defenatly the front end thats the problem so I dont know why having weight in the back made it all a hell of a lot worse??

[truant]

Roobs,

There is no update on your problem, but I see your last reply above indicated you were about to fit a new steering box.
I have exactly the same issues: a decent wobble above 80 and a massive harsh clunk near full lock on each side, particularly when hardly moving such as parking. The noise is a crunch bang type of noise that is a real head turner. I've had a mechanic friend under the front end while I moved the steering and all we could conclude is the noise is coming from the steering box, but it rings through the whole chassis. Doesn't appear to be from bushes.

Anyway, did replacing the steering box fix your problems?

Cheers.

[MEGOMONSTER]

Could it be a failing shock absorber

[mudski]

@ truant. Jack the front end up and see if it still does it. Also disconnect the tie rod connecting the two wheels, and then turn the wheel so that only one wheel will turn at a time to see which side its coming from.

[Bloodyaussie]

Sure it's coming from the front... It can easterly be in the ass end causing the problem.

Most people think because the front is shaking the problem is there.

Good luck with it mate,