Wandering

[Slugsie]

Ever since my last off-road trip at Rochdale, when the Surf didn't get too badly treated , the handling has gotten a trifle 'entertaining'. Basically I generally have to hold the steering wheel pointing left at between the 10 and 11 o'clock position to drive straight ahead. But it's not consistent, and there is a major tendency to wander about a bit which can be a little scary in tight spots.

As far as I can tell nothing is loose, the wheels don't rattle/wobble when I shake them about. Before I book the Surf into the local Kwik-Fit place for a complete tracking/steering check up, is there anything else I should check first?

[angusglover]

Mine does that and I have just booked her into Toyota...

[Apache]

Ever since my last off-road trip at Rochdale, when the Surf didn't get too badly treated , the handling has gotten a trifle 'entertaining'. Basically I generally have to hold the steering wheel pointing left at between the 10 and 11 o'clock position to drive straight ahead. But it's not consistent, and there is a major tendency to wander about a bit which can be a little scary in tight spots.

As far as I can tell nothing is loose, the wheels don't rattle/wobble when I shake them about. Before I book the Surf into the local Kwik-Fit place for a complete tracking/steering check up, is there anything else I should check first?

Check yer idler. Mine used to do that and when I got underneath for a look while Vicki wobbled the steering wheel there was... erm... a bit of play.

[Slugsie]

Check yer idler. Mine used to do that and when I got underneath for a look while Vicki wobbled the steering wheel there was... erm... a bit of play.

OK, thanks Apache....

erm.....

Dumb Question Alert

Where is the steering idler, & what does it look like?


Is this the thing that gets changed during the recall thingy that everyone else did recently (and I haven't).

[Apache]

If you get under the front of your truck and have a look at the passenger side of the steering rod, there is a device which attaches to this. I dont have a pic, but I'm sure Vince will be along with a link in a minute!

Here's one on ebay so you know what it looks like

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOYOTA-HILUX-S...QQcmdZViewItem

and they're a doddle to change if it needs doing.

[BUSHWHACKER]

I am pic-less on this laptop.
No links either!

Have you checked the brake caliper on the drivers side? could be dragging and pulling the steering to that side.

[Slugsie]

OK, found the idler, and I can't detect even the slightest play in it.

It also doesn't 'feel' like a stuck caliper. I had thought that myself, and I did some tests. There is no noticable dive to one side when under heavy sudden braking as I would expect.

Any other ideas?

[DaveD]

Checked your Power steering fluid level?

[slim]

you may have slack in your steering box! this can be adjusted via the screw on top of the box..

look over the steering shaft and twist it with your hands you will be able to see the play in the box if there is any present..

[scotty]

If you get under the front of your truck and have a look at the passenger side of the steering rod, there is a device which attaches to this. I dont have a pic, but I'm sure Vince will be along with a link in a minute!

Here's one on ebay so you know what it looks like

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOYOTA-HILUX-S...QQcmdZViewItem

and they're a doddle to change if it needs doing.

anybody tryed these idler arms, seems alright price, £ 54.50 all in

millners £57+vat+postage
roughtrax £72+vat+postage.

cheers scotty

[Slugsie]

Checked your Power steering fluid level?

Yup, it's about halfway up the 'cold' part of the scale (and yes, the engine bay is cold ).

[Slugsie]

you may have slack in your steering box! this can be adjusted via the screw on top of the box..

look over the steering shaft and twist it with your hands you will be able to see the play in the box if there is any present..

Just tried twisting the shaft (I presume you mean the one that has the steering wheel attached to the other end). Not really sure what I should be looking for, but couldn't obviously see any problems. The drivers side wheel did turn slightly as I twisted the shaft.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Steering damper knackered?

[Slugsie]

Steering damper knackered?

It's too late/dark/cold/wet for me to go check anything else now.

I suspect that I must have hit something whilst off-road, and that has knocked the wheel alignment out. It was running perfectly before the trip, and I did notice it was feeling a bit off on the way home.

[BUSHWHACKER]

It's too late/dark/cold/wet for me to go check anything else now.

I suspect that I must have hit something whilst off-road, and that has knocked the wheel alignment out. It was running perfectly before the trip, and I did notice it was feeling a bit off on the way home.

Mine has got worse over the past year 'cos of the 31" mud tyres.
I haven't been off-road, so it's deteriorated slowly. Off-roading may have finished yours off.