New toy - Cyprus

Hi all,

i live in Cyprus and just purchased a 1998 model Jimny, mainly for off road use (hunting).

The car was imported from Japan during 2002.

The car is in a very good condition, interior and exterior but I have no clue what is going on under the bonnet.

The car has been fitted with new lift suspension but I have no idea the height and the condition of it. Is there a way to help me by looking at the pictures? Btw I will upload the pics soon.

Also there is a lot of steering wheel vibration while downhill above 35mph!!! I mean a lot of vibration. Please note that the wheels need alignment thought!!! Is that the problem?

I have also note that the car has a steering dampener (if I am correct) which is located across the front part.

Can you please quite me a bit on how to check, what to look for and when visiting the mechanic not taking advantage.

Mike

CY wrote:

Yes that is most certainly a steering damper, so it might be masking an even worse problem.

Personally I would take it off and work from there. If the vibration only occurs downhill, does that mean your braking as well? If that's the case you might have warped disks.

But then you say the wheels need aligning so do those first then see how it stands.

You also have alloy wheels. I maybe wrong, but I am sure I have read they can warp a little on Jimnys when the wheel bolts are tightened, so it's worth checking that too.

i agree with GA, get the allignment done first as this may be the cause of the wobble.

is there greasy shity fluid coming out of the swivels on the front hubs? if so this is a sure sign the kinpins are probably knackered which causes "death wobble" generally between 40-50mph.

warped disks cause wobble as also suggested but mainly when braking.

does it wobble when driving on flat ground?

will be hard for us lot on here to help problem solve when the alignment needs doing

i know the traingle alloys like your spare are a nightmare to balance properly!looks like the road alloys are different tho.

sort the allignment issue then get back to us is your best course of action.

does it have wheel spacers fitted? the drivers side (uk spec) rear wheel looks like its sticking further out than the passenger side, might be an illusion tho but if you have no wheel spacers and it is indeed sticking further out one side id guess its a 3" lift with no adjustable panhard rod so the axle is off centre.

Hi,
Thank you both.
I will have the alignment checked and update you.
I will also visit a mechanic to check the brakes etc.

I don't know if the wheels have spacers on, I haven't removed the tyre. Does it affect the driving?
I have also noticed that the car has a trempling driving whilst on road as we'll.

From the whole picture the car looks that the modification done was good but I'm not sure when is time to change, how I know is time to change and how much does it cost, no labor involved.

Thank you.

Hi Guys,

I got the car back from the mechanic and the wheel balancing shop.

The car now has made HUGE difference while driving,

I have changed both front brake discs - pads
I have changed the front bushes
also the wheel bearings Left side changed and the right sight have been readjusted (if this is the correct word)

finally, the steering damper is fixed and is now attached on the chassis - which is the best position (as advised by the mechanic)

the mechanic has also advised me - so the car will be in a top driving position - to change the leaf springs as, due to the higher suspension (2 inches) the wheels need to move front or back, i cannot remember.

Also, the steering wheel box needs to be replaced

any thoughts/comments?

Thank you.

CY wrote: the mechanic has also advised me - so the car will be in a top driving position - to change the leaf springs as, due to the higher suspension (2 inches) the wheels need to move front or back, i cannot remember.

Glad things are starting to get better.

not quite sure what you/he means by this, the jimny doesnt have "leaf springs", its shocks and coil springs.

he might mean the radius arms (the bars that run parallel to the chassis, connecting the axle to the chassis rails), with a big suspension lift you need to correct the caster as the lift alters the axles geometry. this can be done with bushes for a 2-3 inch lift but above that you really need caster corrected radius arms like these . i believe if the steering doesnt self center the caster is wrong.

Thank you,

Yes you are correct - its the radius arms
i could not find the propper word in English

not a problem, thought it might be a translation issue :laugh:

if its only been lifted 2inches id think CC bushes would do fine. i believe the test for correct caster is if when cornering you let go of the steering wheel it will turn back to centre on its own, if the caster is wrong it wont self centre. im no mechanic so THIS MIGHT BE WRONG.........but i think im right.

AAAA yes,

thank you again - now it does make sense

the steering wheel does not return on its own!!

any points to tell my mechanic to pay attention?