Steering to the left ....

[Baggy]

Hi All,

Ive recently injured my shoulder and it's highlighted a problem with the 1992 classic I've recently purchased.

First off ....what I thought was a steering wheel refitted back incorrectly ....points at 10 to 12 oclock it turns out that I've been pulling the steering back to centre without thought in what is a geniune pull to the left when I'm driving.

Driving the Rangie with a sore shoulderhas highlighted this as my arm aches in pain.

Driving home the other night with no traffic around I let go the steering (no braking involved) and it pulled to the left in fact the steering wheel was pointing at least to 10 to 12 on the clock.

I pulled the steering back to centre and tried it a further two times always with the same result.

Ive fitted my wheels and tyres from my 2 dr classic while I'm rebuilding the engine, the're nearly new and wheels were recently balanced so would rule them out.

The vehicle is fitted with a return to centre steering dampener ...could that be the cause.

So my question to those more knowledgeable than me is what's your thoughts on what's causing it to pull to the left or where would you start to diagnose the problem.


Cheers

Baggy

[Meccles]

Baggy I would start with a wheel alignment. This would be first step before looking at anything else. Any decent tire place should be able to help you here. Sorry to learn of you shoulder hope you get better soon.

[Homestar]

I would have thought someone fitting a 'return to centre' damper was trying to correct another issue. A properly set up and working steering system should self centre. As mentioned I'd start with a wheel alignment but I'd be looking at the obvious stuff like tie rod ends, but also the pre load on the swivels.

[PLR]

G`day ,

leading arm chassis bush on both sides would be worth a look .

[Lockee]

If spring set up wrong on rtc can cause this unbolt and see

[Baggy]

Thanks Meccles .....took a tumble while Scouting.
As you get older recovery takes longer ........I'll arrange a wheel alignment first off.

Lockee ... I vaguely remember something about set up on return to centre dampener and will do some research on it.

I'll see if it has a brand and model number and go from there.....

PLR and Homestar .... I'll jack her up and check the tie rod ends and bushes.
How do you measure the swivel pre load?

This gives me some areas to to look at .....thanks gentleman.


Baggy

[Homestar]

Swivel preload - The full procedure is in the manual but basically, unbolt the track rod so you can move the hub backwards and forwards by hand (wheel removed). Hook up a spring scale to where the tie rod goes and pull slowly - once the resistance has been overcome to move it, you read the scale while it is moving - too light or too heavy compared to spec requires adjustment of the pins with shims - but if it is tight, I'd check to make sure there's lubrication to the top pin - if it's had one shot in there for years, the top pin may be a bit light on lubrication - mine was after 10 years running one shot. I still have to replace the seals though so I can go back to oil lubrication.

Don't know the spec for the pre load off the top of my head though.

[Baggy]

Hi All

Ive done some research on return to centre dampeners - funnily enough I gleaned some information from a patrol forum and YouTube.

Most return to centre steering dampeners have an aluminium collar that slides along the dampener with Allen keys and the external spring is attached to it.

I jacked her up (both wheels off the ground) and with the ignition on (steering lock disengaged) and the wheels turned 10 to 12

Using an Allen key and found that both bolts were loose.

A simple matter of tapping the collar (to the left) and the wheels started to straighten up.
Once they were straight I tightened the bolts .....and took her for a spin, no pulling to left.....the easiest repair to the Rangie so far.....:D

I will still do a wheel alignment and will look at the swivel hubs as I noticed a little weeping from the RHSide.

Still ......I do enjoy driving my new Classic Vogue

Cheers

Baggy

[Meccles]

Great work good to hear👍

[Homestar]

Simple fixes are the best - glad to hear. :)