Steering Woes

[Koukandowie Brangus]

Ok am at a loss and need to talk to someone who knows what his doin so its online here to aulro i come. Ok the problem: Car veers to the left, not under braking (used to but bled the brakes and all seems ok now). I have replaced the front wheel bearings cos i thought that was the problem, the front right had totally disintergrated so lucky i did, however the car still veers to the left. i have pretty new tyres on so changing them side to side hasn't fixed anything either. I have tried to adjust the drag link but don't think i should have, it just makes my steering wheel ofset and the car still veers. I guess i should be centralising the steering box but i don't see how taking off the drag link from the drop arm, turning the wheel then putting it back on will do anything???? i could understand maybe if you took the drop arm off the steering box and moved it around on the spline maybe, but i really don't know what i'm talking about at that stage. so if anyone can maybe throw me some ideas and explain the steering centralising practise i would be most appreciated cos at this stage all that i'm getting is a bigger bicept from trying to hold trhe wheel of centre,

[DEFENDERZOOK]

have you checked your wheel alignment....?



and..................if you drive on the other side of the road......will it veer to the right.......?
camber of the road causing it......?


are the panhard rod and radius arm bushes in good nick......?

[Koukandowie Brangus]

have you checked your wheel alignment....?



and..................if you drive on the other side of the road......will it veer to the right.......?
camber of the road causing it......?


are the panhard rod and radius arm bushes in good nick......?

Wheel alignment was done with the new tyres, have probably ruined it with the drag link adjustment though. It is definately not the camber of the road as i have checked this, as for the panhard rod and radius arm bushes i havn't checked but would this make a noticeable difference?? and if so how do i check them?? or should i just replaced them anyway as they would be the originals i reckon 140000k's old.

[justinc]

The other thing to ask is does the 'veering' change when you power on and off? Check the Rear trailing arm bushes and upper A frame for looseness. This can cause throttle steering even under light acceleration or decelleration, or even camber changes as the rear suspension shifts.

JC

[Koukandowie Brangus]

The other thing to ask is does the 'veering' change when you power on and off? Check the Rear trailing arm bushes and upper A frame for looseness. This can cause throttle steering even under light acceleration or decelleration, or even camber changes as the rear suspension shifts.

JC

Would this cause a bit of a knock aswell cos i reckon there is a noise that aint right back there somewhere:confused: :confused:

[justinc]

Would this cause a bit of a knock aswell cos i reckon there is a noise that aint right back there somewhere:confused: :confused:

Definately will, but this could also be your mandatory worn axle splines and drive members...
JC

[Koukandowie Brangus]

Well all the a frame joints look ok, rear left shock was loose, actually think it may be shagged but that will have to wait a little bit till this steering thing is sorted. Radius arm bushes and panhard rod bushes are ok. Sway bar bushes have had it but don't really need em anyway do i????

[Koukandowie Brangus]

Can anybody explain the centralising of the box for me???? in laymans terms?? or is it that simple that i'm missin g it???

[JDNSW]

I am unclear just what you mean by veering to the left, "but not under braking".
Both front and rear axles are located by links (A-frame and two trailing links at the rear, two radius arms and panhard rod at the front) with a total of fourteen (if I counted right) bushes plus a ball joint. wear to the extent of play on any of these will lead to wandering, which could be described as "veering", most likely to the left since that is the way the road usually is cambered. Also potential problems are the wheel bearings (front AND rear) which can cause problems by being either too loose or two tight, and the swivel pins, which can cause this effect if loose. And then, of course there is wheel alignment, where the only adjustable item is toe in. Also a potential problem is any lost motion in the steering, usually due to worn tie rod ends - last time I had this problem it was the ball joint on the pitman arm on the steering box. Get someone to wiggle the steering while you look for lost motion. There will always be a small amount in the steering box, and if this is excessive due to end play on the pitman shaft there is an adjustment for it, but don't overtighten it. There is a slight possibility that there is unrepaired damage to either the chassis or one of the axle housings, but I doubt these would give this symptom.

My guess is you will find it is either a tie rod end or one or more of the suspension bushes.

John

[Koukandowie Brangus]

thanx for all your input guys, i think it may be a tie rod end the boot has been damaged and it won't move around freely, just clunks side to side. so looks like i'm up for a couple of these. ahhh the joys of a fender:D