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steering return to centre not working.

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:19 am
by pigletracing
hi everyone,
baught a 2nd or 5th hand GQ it has a 6" lift & the return to centre steering only partialy works, is this because of the lift or do I just need to service some things

Cheers piglet

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:34 am
by TUFF MAV
Are you running caster correction. Could have to much caster which will affect the return to centre.

Kyle

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:57 am
by pigletracing
It has 2DEXTREME drop arms.

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:29 pm
by vanbox
if it only returns to a certain place steering one way, and over returns when steering the other way, its not centred properly. and therefore wont drive straight.

Otherwise there is nothing to them except for the spring. Have never heard of a spring failing in them but it could be possible??

PAUL

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:27 pm
by pigletracing
me thinks me had better get it down to driveline services for some TLC

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:59 pm
by coxy321
I'd try centering it first as vanbox suggested.

Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:59 pm
by vanbox
On a slightly different note, I have the problem of my GU ute wanting to pull left all the time. I changed steering dampners today, and while it was off, went for a drive and it still did this.

What would cause it? Have approx 3in of lift, standard steering arms.

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:44 am
by pigletracing
could it be the tyres? they may be out of alighnment

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:58 am
by simcoe
vanbox wrote:On a slightly different note, I have the problem of my GU ute wanting to pull left all the time. I changed steering dampners today, and while it was off, went for a drive and it still did this.

What would cause it? Have approx 3in of lift, standard steering arms.
my old gq did it and my current gu does it!
doesnt matter what tyre size, what lift, what steering dampener or having 50 allingments..still does it!
i just live with it..

cheers

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:03 pm
by JAFO74
I got the sh!ts with the return to centre dampner and ripped it off and bought the new tough dog adjustable 1. One of the best things I have done it ages, yes it was nearly $300 but the difference it made and the ease of adjusting and not having to worry that the return to centre could be out a couple of mm is really worth it. I would recommend this to anyone running a 6" lift.
Jafo74

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:49 pm
by YNOT
Piglet, quick test, take the steering damper off and take it for a drive, that will tell you if it's the damper. P.S. I saw you the other day turning off Middle Rd onto Teviot Rd. Edit, just noticed your location is Spring Mountain, you were probably heading home.

Vanbox, pulling left is usually caused by either tyres or incorrect castor. Cars always pull to the side with the least castor. Try swapping the front wheels left to right, see what effect that has.

Tony

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:54 pm
by vanbox
YNOT wrote:Piglet, quick test, take the steering damper off and take it for a drive, that will tell you if it's the damper. P.S. I saw you the other day turning off Middle Rd onto Teviot Rd.

Vanbox, pulling left is usually caused by either tyres or incorrect castor. Cars always pull to the side with the least castor. Try swapping the front wheels left to right, see what effect that has.

Tony
cheers for the info. But how could castor be different between front wheels? I know my camber is out on the left front (wears the outside edge off tyre). And it pulls left, coincidence? I dont think my castor is 100% anyway, but i will try swapping front tyres. Although i recently had tyres rotated (directional, so flipped on the rim) and it did it before then.

PAUL