Wobbly steering

[Lez325]

My steering wheel- which is on a 2.8 SWB 1993 is adjustable as I guess they all are- but lately I have found increasing play- steering wheel moves up and down when braking & there is some side to side movement also-sounds like a bush maybe??

I have re-set the locking mechanism to no avail - I still get ;lots of play- worried if its safe to drive in this condition- the steering seems un affected apart from the obvious play :shock:

Anyone have any advice as to how solve the problem - and the average cost?? etc etc

Thanks Guys


Les :cry:

[markbass]

it could be the bush in the steering colum breakers for a new colum about 50 quid should see you right

[Lez325]

On the last MOT it says Nearside upper front steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel????

anyone recommend a good Pajero Breaker ??

Les :oops:

[markbass]

that may be the idler arm milners for that quite common about 15 mins to change and about 30 quid ish

[Lez325]

Whay Mk is my vehicle then- its a 1993 2.8 swb on an L plate?

les

[markbass]

mark 2

[Lez325]

Thank you Mark- youve been a great help

les :wink:

[Lez325]

Contacted via Internet several car breakers and have received quotes of around £70 delivered-for a Mk2 steering column which aint a bad price really- anyone have any idea what a garge would charge to swop over a steering column??


Les :? :lol:

[markbass]

im not sure on garage prices but to remove and refit the steering colum is listed in auto data as a 1.2 hour job if that helps

[Lez325]

Ok thanks - not as long as I thought then 8)

Les :lol:

I have one arriving tomorrow- £40 + £10 next delivery with a 90 day warranty- not bad for £40

heres the e mail if anyone needs Pajero spares :wink:

foreigncarspares@btconnect.com

[Lez325]

arrived 8.15am- now fitted problem resolved

Thanks again Mark :lol:

Les :wink:

[markbass]

cool mate niice one not a bad fix cost wise :wink:

[shoggy]

for anyone else with this fault DO NOT replace the steering column there is no need pm me and i will tell you how to sort it without it costing you a penny :wink: .

[Lez325]

wish you posted this before I spent over £100 :cry: :cry:

Les :wink:

Ps why not post it anyway could save someone some £££££ :?

[markbass]

i think its a security issue maybe :idea:

[Lez325]

security issue - ok then don't post lol - wish I'd know last week :cry:

still I have a wandering Pajero to sort out now- drifting to the drivers side- and Yes I have done the tracking :!:

Les 8) :lol:

[markbass]

these are the things i would check on mine list as follows

tyre presures all round
wheel bearings for play movement whilst jacked up
front inner and out track rod ends both sides look for play whilst jacked up
steering linkage look for play excess movement
pitman arm look for play /ecsess movement
idler arm as above
top and bottom ball jionts as above
top wish bones as above you may need a bar on this
bottom wishbones as above you may need a bar on this

another thing does it do it on one particular road maybe the road camber is pulling you that way if that is the case pick a nice level road and test the car again

just a few items woth checking before laying out any money

[Lez325]

Found the reason with help from Mark ( Thanks Again)

Needs new Track Rod ends x 4 and an Idler arm- total cost including re-tracking £340 National Tyres :lol:

booked in for tomorrow ( Tuesday) :?

Thanks for the help


Les :wink:

[markbass]

thats a bit harsh mate :shock: :shock:

track rod ends are 14 quid each =56 QUID
idler arm is 30 quid 30 QUID
15 quid to get tracking done 15 QUID 101 QUID FOR THE PARTS IN TOTAL

idler arm takes 20 mins to fit
track rod ends take 2 hours to do the lot max

jesus im in the wrong trade :shock:

[Lez325]

Im not mechanically minded so I have to take the word of companies like National Tyres etc :cry: :cry:

I may just print off the thread and show it to the manager


Les :?

[markbass]

show them the parts price list
:D :D
http://www.milneroffroad.com/categories.asp?cID=11349

[Lez325]

Thats made me feel so much better Mark :cry: :cry:


Les :roll:

[markbass]

thought it might help them reduce there price :wink:

[Lez325]

It didnt :?

They say they use one supplier for all parts and they are expensive- so a word orf warning to fellow members
do NOT use National Tyres for steering / suspesion work- unless you want to pay well above recommended prices for parts


Les :lol:

[Lez325]

all done and it still wanders to the right- they suggested its the steering box??

I had a bearing replaced on the steering column any connection to this fault- its driving me mad
spent £340 and its just as bad :evil:

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!


les :wink:

[JRHartley]

Could be play in the steering box. Rock the steering wheel from left then to right whilst leaning out of the window and looking at the wheels.[stationary not whilst driving :) ] The steering wheel should move no more than 50mm in total from left to right before the road wheel begins to turn in or out. If you can turn the steering wheel more than this without the road wheel moving then you have excessive play in the box and it needs nipping up to take up the play.

Also does the car sit level ? ..If the torsion bars aren't level then you could have a lean that is causing your truck to pull to one side.

Check the ride height as well as the steering components.

[Lez325]

Thanks for that- I'll give it go :lol:

Les :wink:

[Lez325]

Checked out the play on the steering before I came into work- lots more than 50mm before the wheels actually turn :cry:

So I guess its the steering box- can it be adjusted or shall I look for a second hand steering box??

don't want to go to a garage to adjust it only to find its not adjustable :shock: :shock: look a right plomker :lol:

Looked on Jap part finder and they come in at £100 or thereabouts- inc next day delivery- so just labour to pay for any idea how long a job like that would, take??

Thanks in advance


Les :lol:

[Tigger_Rover]

Hi,

The steering box is adjustable for free play, look down in the engine bay slightly towards the engine from the Drivers side headlamp, you will see where the steering column enters the steering box, on top of the box there is a lock nut and within it the adjuster bolt, to take out the slack:

Jack up the car and support both front wheels off the ground
loosen the lock nut.
turn in the adjuster until there is a maximum of 75MM free play (ie before the wheels move),
tighten the lock nut, dont allow the adjuster to move.
start the engine with the front still off the ground.
Turn the steering lock to lock and check for "tight spots" and the free play at either end of the lock.
If the free play is similar all the way through lock to lock all is fine and put the car back on the ground and road test.
If you feel "tight spots", notchiness or the free play is no existant etiehr end of the lock but 75MM in the middle the steering box is worn and may need replacing.


Does the truck drift to the left all the time or only under braking?

I would jack each wheel up in turn and check they rotate freely, could be a binding caliper or handbrake shoe, but first of all would swap the tyres side to side to see if this makes any difference, although National Tyres would have checked the tracking, you should get the whole wheel alignment checked, castor angle and camber,

IMHO I would find a decent local independant garage to take a look rather than the National Chains, most dont load the price of parts like the Nationals do.

[Lez325]

very in-depth answer- it drifts when Im driving and relax grip on the streering wheel- under braking is fine stops in a straight line as you'd expect :shock:

National tyres diagnosed the problem as track rod ends and idler arm- these have all been replaced and the tracking re-done
Tney suggest a new steering box once they discovered that the £340 fix did not work :cry: :cry: They of course insisted that the track rods and idler DID need replacing :evil:

Ive checked all the calipers and none are sticking- so based on your explanation I can only say it must be the steering box

I appear to have understeer in one direction and oversteer in the other- either way its driving me mad having spent £340 and the problem is as bad as it ever was

I know I can get a second hand box for £100 - maybe thats the route I shoud try next

Thanks for your time its appreciated


Les :lol:

[Mudlark]

Les — go read the post I made on your other thread concerning this and check out the links

National Tyres are a franchise so theoretically any unscrupulous back street trader can buy in to the 'brand' and con you.

[pajpower0]

What about the pitman arm, I've been having the same probs & was told there was a re-call to replace the arms on all Paj's. Go to the Mitsi U.k site and they'll find bout from Japan if it has been done yet, if it hasn't then they'll contact you in a coulpe of weeks, and tell you to take it to your local Mitsi dealer & they'll sort it for FREE. :D