Steering Wobble Track Rod End and inner rack end joint

[Woodman]

Third Gen KZN185 with 220km.

My wife uses the Surf around town. On a long journey I've discovered that the steering wheel shakes badly at 60mph and above. Some time ago I replaced the front ball joints and grey grease came out of the Track Rod Ends when I removed them, which I never replaced. The tracking and tyres were balanced at the same time.

I plan to replace the Track Rod Ends and get the tracking done again, but should I also replace the Steering rack end joints (http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/?doc=16&cid=172&vid=1021).

I'm suffering from the credit crunch and any advice would be appreciated.

I'd also like rule out the front shocks and rear springs by replacing them with some cost effective (cheap) second hand ones if I can find some.

[MattF]

You have actually tried the basics of having the wheels balanced and checked?

[Woodman]

Thanks but I think it is more than tyre balancing as there was still steering wobble after the last time they were balanced. Fitting new ball joints reduced the wobble considerably and now it is back.

The Track Rod Ends were replaced years ago and my guess is that they need doing again.

The Steering Rack End Joints have not been replaced in over 220kilometers which is why I wondered if they needed doing. Can they be done without dismantling the Track Rod Ends? Of course it could be worn shocks too.

[MattF]

It's nigh on impossible to suggest what *may* be the cause. Practically anything *could* be the cause. You'll just need to check all respective parts for excessive play and suchlike, and replace anything which doesn't seem within spec. It's going to be a simple process of elimination.

[charvell]

Steering rack bushes maybe, lower ball joints? As matt says eliminate the cheapest first Tyre balancing seems like the most obvious a Tyre can throw a weight and cause what you are describing.

Make sure you get the rears done aswell

[Woodman]

Thanks for replies. Have previously replaced lower ball joints, anti-roll bar bushes and steering rack bushes!

Ordered Track Rod Ends from Roughtrax at £49 odd delivered against Kings Toyota (the local main dealer who are always very helpful) at £141.50 including a 10% discount.

[charvell]

no problem mate hope you get it all sorted

[Woodman]

Tracking and Wheel Balance sorted it.

I fitted new track rods ends. The Fitter at work looked at the old ones and said that they didn't really need replacing. I didn't want to spend money on the tracking to find that it didn't work and the track rod ends needed sorting.

The Best Auto Centre in Eastleigh (Southampton) did the tracking on a Lazer jig (£30.00) and balanced the front wheels (£6.00 ea). http://www.bestautocentres.co.uk/

The result is that the steering wheel no longer wobbles at speed. Result! The Surf still fidgets a little but it is much improved. Next job is a saggy rear end which I'm not looking forward to.

[Albannach]

So it was the balancing al along?

[charvell]

So it was the balancing al along?

mmmm so it would seem