This is my first attempt at photo uploads on here to bear with me. I am happy to take more photos if needed.
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It would be extremely unlikely for the steering wheel to move because of a wobble, as then that would mean that something is really loose underneath and is really dangerous.
The idea with steering and steering components, is that they are able to be locked into position by fixings like large bolts / nuts which exert a massive clamping force to make sure that things stay in optimum alignment.
Patrols are even more rigid than that, in that things like the drag link and camber are pretty much fixed in position by mostly non-adjustable fittings. The only things that can really be changed in the front end of a standard Patrol is toe in/out, tracking and castor.
It is a little bit tough to pick from the pictures, but it seems like the draglink is straight. The Adjustable Panhard rod looks like it had been installed upside down, but that in itself wont be the cause.
Point one of the front wheels straight .. get out and check .... are they both straight. If not, check track rod behind the diff, and ball joints.
Get someone to rock the steering wheel from side to side, and check to see if any ball joints are moving/rocking/clunking independently of the arm it is connected to. A steering component and its connecting arm should move totally together. Check Pitman Arm, Steering Box Arm, Panhard Bushes, Ball Joints, etc. A pry bar can help with that too
Grab a piece if string - check wheelbase from back wheel to front - check centre of wheel to centre of wheel on each side, and the piece of string should be the same length on both sides.
Last edited by happygu; 28th April 2018 at 11:13 AM.
GU PATROL 2011 Ti, with goodies...
Sofes (28th April 2018)
Not 90 degrees though. I have an adjustable drag link, this is where I can centre my steering wheel. So shortening or lengthening the drag link will alter the centre point of the steering wheel. To move the steering wheel 90 degrees, I'd have to adjust the drag link length about 15-20mm for this to happen I'd say.
Going by the pics, your drag link is straight. so is the tie rod. Something doesn't add up.
You have two stuffed ball joints by the look of it .
Way I found my panhard bushes were the problem was to get someone on the steering wheel turning left to right constantly just a frag more than the free play , then checked to see what was moving when it shouldn't be .
I got a wheel alignment done yesterday and they said that they couldn't get the drivers side wheel to move at all. As in the wheels are currently in a toe-in position and out by 4mm if that makes sense.
On the bright side the steering wheel is now straight!
I only just noticed that the drivers side wheel is out of the flares by about 10-15mm and the passenger is well inside the flare. Maybe they didn't adjust the panhard?
How did they do a proper allignment if they couldnt move a wheel. More to point how did they get the steering straight without you actually having an adjustable drag link?
Just pull the steering wheel off and put it back on straight? If that's the case that's a very half arsed way of doing things and you'll now have a better turning circle in 1 direction than the other.
I'd hit the roof if someone pulled that shit on mine.
96 GQ coil/Cab
08 G6eT
mudski (28th April 2018)