Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Gday members!
My first visit to this forum, and first post!
Seems to be a wealth of information at hand in the stickies, some serious reading to be had there!
Just got hold of an old 87 SJ413.
Seems to run pretty good!
So, what do I have to look out for with this little rattler?
My only complaint so far is the steering being on the sloppy side!
Needs a new steering damper for starters, doesn't want to return to centre like it should.

rattlinjack wrote:Needs a new steering damper for starters, doesn't want to return to centre like it should.

Steering damper wont fix; sounds like a lack of castor to me. Is the vehicles suspension modified at all?

rattlinjack wrote:Gday members!
My first visit to this forum, and first post!
Seems to be a wealth of information at hand in the stickies, some serious reading to be had there!
Just got hold of an old 87 SJ413.
Seems to run pretty good!
So, what do I have to look out for with this little rattler?
My only complaint so far is the steering being on the sloppy side!
Needs a new steering damper for starters, doesn't want to return to centre like it should.

East Lake Macquarie hey, good to see another member from gods country If you want a hand let me know. As for the slack, get someone to turn the wheel back and forward in the slack part while you watch the steering shaft and box. You should see what is inducing the slack, it could be the box, the steering columb knuckle or the rag joint. If this doesnt find it, jack the front and wiggle the wheels feeling for any play in the tie rod ends or wheel bearings/kinpin bearings. The lack of return to centre sounds like a caster issue. A steering dampener will do nothing to fix this problem. The return to centre dampers are dubious, i dont like them, some do. Does the zook have extended shackles at all?

Layto....

you can get a return to centre steering damper of ebay around $100 or if you plan on makeing it into a 4wd theres also one on ebay for 165 called a tough dog return to centre
which seems to work pritty well
i baught one on the weekend for 100 bucks brand new ill tell ya how she goes when i put it on

Welcome, good to see you found the sticky by your self. If your new to Zooks than the steering will feel loose even when it is in good shape. Get lay80n to give it a look, he should sort you out.

Thanks for the replies, guys! Don't know if there is any suspension modifications I'll have a good look at the thing on the w/end!
Hey lay80n, where's all the Suzuki spare parts around this part of the world? Sounds like you know ya way around these things...

What are you after? I have a fair few spares that i could be convinced to part with. PM me and i may be able to help. Otherwise, keep you eyes on the classified section of the forum. Tony's auto parts have some suzuki parts too.

Layto....

lay80n wrote:What are you after? I have a fair few spares that i could be convinced to part with. PM me and i may be able to help. Otherwise, keep you eyes on the classified section of the forum. Tony's auto parts have some suzuki parts too.

Layto....

Thanks mate!
Not after anything in particular at the moment, just anticipation of future break downs

nick.gooding wrote:you can get a return to centre steering damper of ebay around $100 or if you plan on makeing it into a 4wd theres also one on ebay for 165 called a tough dog return to centre
which seems to work pritty well
i baught one on the weekend for 100 bucks brand new ill tell ya how she goes when i put it on

RTC steering dampers are a waste of money.

rattlinjack - my money says you have a worn steering box. They aren't hard to adjust up. There's very few other places that can produce much play.

Steve.

Gwagensteve wrote:

nick.gooding wrote:you can get a return to centre steering damper of ebay around $100 or if you plan on makeing it into a 4wd theres also one on ebay for 165 called a tough dog return to centre
which seems to work pritty well
i baught one on the weekend for 100 bucks brand new ill tell ya how she goes when i put it on

RTC steering dampers are a waste of money.

rattlinjack - my money says you have a worn steering box. They aren't hard to adjust up. There's very few other places that can produce much play.

Steve.

I'm thinking along the same lines with the steering box, will have a good look at the old girl this w/end!

lay80n wrote:What are you after? I have a fair few spares that i could be convinced to part with. PM me and i may be able to help. Otherwise, keep you eyes on the classified section of the forum. Tony's auto parts have some suzuki parts too.

Layto....

i almost thought u were going to say my place..LOL.. haha. the suzuki parts yard of lack mac.

Welcome aboard Jack

you will soon discover that the lake Macquarie region is rather popular for zooks.

Layton (Lay80n), or myself are always happy to come and lend a hand, and help out where we can.

Layto is my go to guy when it comes to zooks.. ok well actually when it comes to anything auto, that i cant work out.

drop us a PM if u need help with anything mate

Thanks Pyrotech, good chance I'll be picking your brains at some stage that's for sure!!!
Had a bit of a drive in the Watagans on the w/end, to see if the 4x4 bits work!!! It went up the greasy hills better than it went down them

Might have to do some seals and bearings in the transfer case in the near future! Will start to look for a spare one and reco it before using! Are the seals and bearing hard to get hold of for these things?
I think I am getting used to the sloppy steering, should improve with a bit of maintenance on the wheel bearings and the rest of the steering setup, thru to steering box as was suggested...
Not looking to climb stepped, rutted and rocky killer hills with this thing, just want get to places the car wont!
Can the ride be improved with better springs and shocks? This one has bog stock original suspension???
Thats enough brain picking for today!
The rattly one!