Re:Kingpin Bearings - Advice

Robin

The first check for light steering is to look at the tyre pressures, 23PSI max at the front.

Martin

Hi Robin,
Worth checking tyre pressure are not too high, but for me the steering feels light when everything is set correctly. I appreciate this is a personal preference thing, but compared to my (ex) VW Polo and even my 2CV the steering feels very light.
I fitted the standard steering damper kit (the cheap one) that uses a Land Rover damper. I believe looking at Jimny Bits they call it the Armstrong option. Its proven to be plenty and is still fine, so nothing bad to report on quality.
I got mine from Ebay cheaper than JimnyBits, it was is the same kit even down to the shape of the brackets.
With this fitted the feel is more like the VW, but still lighter than my 2CV. I would not be without one now.
All the best

Mike

 

Thanks,

Tyre pressures are fine. The steering is not over-light, no wobble or wandering, just a slight steering wheel vibration, but that might be Kingpin bearings yet.

I found that on a run to see my parents (200 mile round trip), I would be gripping the steering wheel quite tightly and you can feel it in your arms when you get back home, if the damper eases that, it will be well worth it.

I am going to go for an Armstrong type damper, I think on balance I would like the steering a little less sensitive, especially at around 60mph.

It’s possible your slight wobble is the unchanged Kingpin or tyres, but a damper will help to some extent with this also.
I have stopped gripping the steering wheel tight these days, I now prefer a light hold so I can’t feel the rough state of the roads. The damper has certainly helped with “kick back” due to pot holes etc, I now just guide the car rather than holding on for dear life. It won’t change the Jimny “jiggle” though, its just inherent due to the short wheelbase and axles.
It is a personal preference, so unfortunately the unbiased answer is you need to try one and see if it works for you. That said Suzuki felt the need to fit one on the G4 as standard, so they think it’s a good idea these days.
The good news is they are easy to fit and relatively cheap, the damper is cheap also if you ever need to replace.

Mike

I have armstrong fitted on mine
The kits you can buy use disco 1 armstrong damper around £18 on ebay
if you own a drill and grinder make your own it's not hard 
look here  www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum?view=topic&catid=8&id=60814 page 10

Nice job Jack.

Unfortunately time is not my friend at the moment, I spent last weekend making a set of castors and brackets to fit my motorcycle lift, the weekend before changing the Kingpin bearings on the driver's side and next weekend changing the Kingpin bearings on the passenger side.

Fortunately my piece of plastic was ready to help out, so I, Err, hit the buy it now button.