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vague steering

  • woody woodpecker
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09 Dec 2019 12:54 #216315 by woody woodpecker
vague steering was created by woody woodpecker
Hi all HELP required . I have a t reg jimny completly standard except for 205/75/15 general grabber at3 tyres , at any spped over 45 mph the steering feels very vague I have adjusted the steering box for play ,tried all different tyre pressures , no play on any steering joints or wheels bearings .wheels balanced and wheel alignment checked. when I bought the car it steered normally and you could drive on the motorway happily at 70 mph like my previous jimny . I am at the stage were I don't no what else to look at for the problem and the car does not feel safe to drive . your thoughts please .
thanks in advance chris

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09 Dec 2019 15:34 #216318 by jackonlyjack

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09 Dec 2019 15:38 #216319 by woody woodpecker
Replied by woody woodpecker on topic vague steering
Hi front 23 psi , rear 26 psi I have tried all manner of different pressures and its made no difference. thanks chris

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09 Dec 2019 15:52 #216320 by jackonlyjack
Replied by jackonlyjack on topic vague steering
Do you offroad have you bent steering drag links panhard rods
are your trackrod ends in good condition

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09 Dec 2019 19:27 #216325 by woody woodpecker
Replied by woody woodpecker on topic vague steering
Hi not used for serious off road just for checking sheep and light jobs on farm and everyday transport.
Cheers chris

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09 Dec 2019 19:53 #216326 by Scimike
Replied by Scimike on topic vague steering
Just musing some alternative possibilities.
So if you have checked everything for play, bent bits, alignment etc and everything looks fine, is it's possible something is actually tight or notchy?

If a part in the long list of steering components is not free to move it could prevent the self centering action of the steering geometry, this resulting in the wandering you are experiencing in a straight line.
I guess the only way to find out is separate the ball joints etc and with the wheels up in the air and move each part from lock to lock.

Another possibility is the tyres, any others you can try on the front just to eliminate? Swap rear / front and see if anything changes.

Good luck

Mike

Yokohama Geolanders, Sony head unit, NAUTILUS Air Horn, DRL conversion, Rear cargo space, Elvis Bobblehead, transfer Guard, Indian hanging Elephant, Koni Heavy track dampers, Custom SS exhaust, Voodoo Doll, Adventure Rack with LED ight bar, vintage ERIBA caravan usually attached (yes it's slow)

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09 Dec 2019 20:22 #216329 by woody woodpecker
Replied by woody woodpecker on topic vague steering
Hi the steering self-centred itself on either lock can't see anything seized on any joints I have lifted all rubber covers on joints and lubricated with oil .Also forgot to mention when on the motorway it will sort of skip of to the left or right even when steering straight . cheers Chris

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  • The quickest Jimny in Harrogate...(that I own)
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10 Dec 2019 05:10 #216342 by Lambert
Replied by Lambert on topic vague steering
Do you have a record of when it last had a set of kingpin bearings? It is entirely possible that they become so corroded and full of smuts that while they don't leak oil in the normal manner they are still dead. Like Mike says everything has to be fairly well perfect on a Jimny for it to drive straight and smooth they are far too sensitive to wear.

Temeraire (2018 quasar grey automatic)
One of the last 200ish of the gen3s, probably.
ADOS Attention Deficit Ooooh Shiny!

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10 Dec 2019 10:44 #216354 by woody woodpecker
Replied by woody woodpecker on topic vague steering
Hi Lambert
ref kingpin bearings I have checked all the info that came with the car and cant see any mention of kingpin bearings being replaced is there a way of checking them for wear ?
thanks chris

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10 Dec 2019 15:37 #216361 by jackonlyjack
Replied by jackonlyjack on topic vague steering
You could jack up and feel for movement 6-9o'clock
Like Lambert says they don't always show oil
Or in my case no movement no oil just a knock every other week
Once apart my bearings just fell out the case was rotten

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15 Jan 2020 17:27 - 15 Jan 2020 17:30 #217286 by Max Headroom
Replied by Max Headroom on topic vague steering
Knackered shock absorbers can make the car feel 'floaty' which feels a bit like vague steering.

I've had this happen on a couple of older sports cars with those awful Armstron lever-arm type shick absorbers. The whole thing feels very vague on the road and I can only describe it as 'floaty'


IF IT AINT BROKE, KEEP FIXING IT UNTIL IT IS
Last edit: 15 Jan 2020 17:30 by Max Headroom.

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19 Jan 2020 08:52 #217400 by kirkynut
Replied by kirkynut on topic vague steering
There could be a multitude of worn components that combine to create this feeling.

Some MOT Stations have a shaker system where it shakes the whole car on a ramp with the tester underneath looking for play in all if the components.

Finding such an MOT Station and explaining your issue, asking them to help you out by just putting it on that ramp and using their experience to see any likely culprits could make diagnosis much quicker.

The steering wheel will turn a fair bit with no response from the wheels if there's still play in that.

Kirkynut

The underdog often starts the fight, and occasionally the upper dog deserves to win - Edgar Watson Howe.

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