View Full Version : New buy got a case of the wandering steering
79raven
14th February 2013, 10:38 PM
Picked up my Mq today. Its a 3.3L dist SWB with power steer. When I drove it home it seemed to sometimes get sort of a wander in the steering, dont know if really from the road surfaces or something else, not one side in paticular but random. I also noticed once or twice it pulled right under braking. I did some research on here and I am 99% sure its got a lift kit on it. Its also got AT tyres ( size?) and a small diameter aftermarket sports steering wheel.
I only got the thing home at 7pm tonight, so I dont know much about it yet but I will do some more research on what the cars got tomorrow. Do AT tyres have a tendency to wander, could it be the small steering wheel, maybe the bearings ( will check for play tomorrow) or should I be looking somewhere else? It wasent all the time just occasionally and it doesnt seem to have much play in the steering wheel.
MudRunnerTD
14th February 2013, 10:57 PM
it could be as simple as tyre pressure. but it could be a steering dampener knackered. Check your tyre pressue first.
No, AT tyres are rock solid.
the ferret
14th February 2013, 11:13 PM
I'd be getting the "toe in" checked for a start, and having a good look over the suspension and spring hanger pins, bushes and wheel bearings..
Cheers, the ferret
79raven
15th February 2013, 12:21 AM
Tyre pressure was my first thought, so i pulled into the first fuel shop on the way home and made sure they were all ok. Still happened after that. Its kind of like the beast runs along fine and then all of a sudden she just pulls to one side, then when you correct it she is fine for a while. It pulls either way too.
I thought about wheel alignment or maybe tyre balance, but wouldnt it do it all the time if this was the case? Also wouldnt the bearings cause shudder at high speeds and through braking if they were rooted? Is it just the same as a car to check for play in the bearings i.e raise wheel and rock to check for play?
Sorry guys new to the Patrol and havent had a 4x4 for a LONG time so a bit fresh. Suspension looks ok, front bushes look ok and all well oiled.
Whats the steering dampener and spring hanger pins?
Thanks for the help guys. I love this car already and just want to sort out this gremlin
Parksy
15th February 2013, 06:28 AM
When you say everything looks well oiled, do you mean the bushes in particular? If so and they are rubber then there's a good chance that they are knackered. Rubber will swell and soften when in contact with oils. If they are nolathane then nothing to be worried about as they need lubing from time to time.
Cheers
MudRunnerTD
15th February 2013, 07:54 AM
But if they are Nolathane then that is probably your problem as they are rubbish. It sounds like you have a Bush or Tierod end fault. I'd start with Ferrets suggestion then mate. Wheel alignment.
79raven
15th February 2013, 08:45 AM
Will do with the alignment. Sh has nolathane on the front sway bay and rubber on the rest. The rubber ones look ok. There is a grease nipple right near the bushes that are greasy. Thanks guys
ns3474
15th February 2013, 01:36 PM
i would still look at the tie rod ends ,i have had the same problem on a gq
79raven
15th February 2013, 05:28 PM
They actually look like they are not tightened enough on the top of the bush. Ill get them to check when they do a alignment. Whats the torque setting of the upper bolt on the tie rod ends bushes?
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