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**rich** · 25 October 2004, 09:01

If the steering seems to have a mind of it's own then something is likely to be wrong.

This could be one of the suspension or steering components. The steering idler arm and the ball joints come up on the forum a bit.

I am sure someone with more technical knowledge will post and tell you how to check.

Rich.

**Guest** · 25 October 2004, 10:24

Originally posted by rich

If the steering seems to have a mind of it's own then something is likely to be wrong.

This could be one of the suspension or steering components. The steering idler arm and the ball joints come up on the forum a bit.

I am sure someone with more technical knowledge will post and tell you how to check.

Rich.

Rich is right, it is most likely to be steering Idler arm bushes or Pitman arm. Idler arm bushes can be replaced, take less than 1 hour and cost you all of �3 plus the postage. These are only made out of some kind of plastic material and don't last a long time, probably less than 50K miles.

Pitman arm needs to be replaced as a unit.

I had to replace my Idler arm bushes and the difference was amazing. The steerin on a second Gen surf will never feel as direct as on a later one with a steering rack but that is because a recirculating ball steering box system has lots of rods and linkages which all induce a small amount of slack in the system. Overall if you have more than 1.2 inch play at the steering wheel without moving the wheels then one of the joints is worn.

Mine now has less than 1/4 inch play at the steering wheel and feels good.

Cheers

**rich** · 25 October 2004, 12:49

One other thing to check as you have recently had tyres fitted is whether the pressures are right. Some fitters just blow them up until the tyre goes on the rim.

Try them at about 31 psi and see if it makes a difference.

Rich.