hj45 steering troubles

[clayhook]

ok not sure how to explain this but my old ute is dangerous on the highway.when you get her up to around 90kph it sort of wants to go where it pleases and makes it very hard to keep on the road. i use it for shooting and has had a hard life . but it has always been very well maintained mechanically,it has new iron man suspension, new brakes and wheel cyllinders all around ,most of the steering componets are new or still seem to be in in vg condition, i can get a big breaker bar up in there and try move jointes around etc and can't find movement.,anyhow when i had the split rims on her i couldn't go over about 70kph or it was a death trap. i am currently running 33/12.5.15 on it and it doesn't do it as bad...could this be somethign as simple as a wheel alignment now as to be honest i am not sure when the last time was it had one..or is there something i am missing. my other old ute steers like a dream. please help. thanks clay

[loosecanon]

are the tyres just tracking in the road? so just wandering in grooves or cracks in the road?

[clayhook]

hard to explain mate. it don't seem to be wanting to follow grooves etc just sort of goes where it wants to go.for instance you'll be driving along fine, then all of a sudden it is wanting to throw you to the right or left. if this makes sence

[RAY185]

Few things to check if you are sure you're steering linkages are all good:

1: Wheel bearings and swivel hub bearings.
2: Leaf spring bushes and U bolts (loose).
3: If you have extended shackles - do you have castor wedges fitted?
4: Tyres, if you have checked the above and are sure they are all good, try swapping tyres front to rear and see if it makes a difference.

[BadMav]

X2 on the castor wedges mate.

If you've put bigger shackles in, you'll need wedges. But before you rush out and buy a set, getting the ones with the right angle will depend on shackle length.

[De-lux]

May I throw a spanner in the works by saying that I have put extended shackles in mine and it handles better than it did before - A lot less bump steer.

My thoughts would be do a power steer conversion to the truck to remove all the unnecessary steering linkages which might be worn causing the steering to wander.

[clayhook]

shackles are supposed to be the same as original so i was told anyhow. the old truck is basically new mechanicly wise this is why i can't understand whats going on? alls i know it is bloody dangerous ,however in sayign that if i sit under my 90 it is not as bad. go over that speed and you might as well sign ya will..will look into it and lets ya's know what i find...thankyou

[SCANAS]

Have many turns or parts of turns of the steering wheel can you make before the wheels react? Possible worn box or maybe just a tie rod end?

[clayhook]

mate to be honest you only just have to move the steerign wheel ever so slightly and the wheels are wanting to turn . for instance when ute is parked up say and you move the steerign wheel left and right ever so lightly you can see the wheels moving that little bit. will check into the tie rod end though, and let ya's know

[BadMav]

mate to be honest you only just have to move the steerign wheel ever so slightly and the wheels are wanting to turn . for instance when ute is parked up say and you move the steerign wheel left and right ever so lightly you can see the wheels moving that little bit. will check into the tie rod end though, and let ya's know

Mate, it's got to be castor, that describes it to a tee. How long are the new shackles? Get some 3 degree wedges and make sure you put them in from the front to rotate the diff back or you'll make it even worse.

[Evil!]

my 45 has the same problem exactly
to better discribe the way it moves across the road as it wonders at will

i so far have adjusted the slop in the steering box the steering wheel free play is ever so little and you can see the wheels move slightly also tho under further inspection i found that the steering ideler arm was kicking slightly sideways befor actually turning and my front drivers side ball joint also has slight play, i seen both items can be purchased off ebay on the cheap

but i want to convert to power steering what power steering box do i use? or need?

Cheers Evil

[hj 45]

^^^There's a thread in the bible, plus a few others covering the 60/75 series parts into a 40. As for the standard steering, also check the idler box, they can loosen up and make the vehicle wander, you can get a rebuild kit for it or just crank the bolt tighter on the top for a temporary fix.

[CRUZAAMAD]

take it into pedders....
14 dollar steering and suspension check...
VERY DETAILED...
and parts itemised in the receipt on what needs replacing......cost and rough amount on labour......

and walk away.....
then decide on what next...
do it yourself...
pretty good deal to me...

thats if a pedders is in your area....? close by..
thats all they do.....steering and suspension...
the shop i used even showed me exactly on my car whats wrong...
i was wrapped!!.

[Dannyboy]

i was wrapped!!.

Bubble wrap and packaging tape?