pulling to the left

[marky]

How about the steering Idler. Just cos there is no play when straight ahead, doesn't neccessarily mean that there will be no play when turning or under pressure. Mine pulled really badly to the left and it was the idler bushes. Straight as an arrow now.

Only other thing I can think of is that the tyres are slightly different in wear or in pressure, 1 psi can do it you know especially with the big tyres the surf has. Swap the tyres on the front over and see if it pulls the other way.

Also are you sure it hasn't got directional tyres on fitted the wrong way round on one side - it can happen believe me.

Stilll think it would be a dodgy Idler, pitman arm or a bent tie rod.

Cheers

NOTE: Jack surf up with both wheels off the ground go to passenger side you need someone to turn steering wheel for you with engine off as power steering wont reveal steering idler bushes true play. watch the vertical shaft near front of vehicle when steering is moved you should see side to side movement, if so bushes are worn also check steering idler arm balljoint for excessive play

[phorbiuz]

I'm having exactly the same problem, and it is quite noticeable. On a gradual left hander, the Surf can find its own way. The only difference between us is that mine doesn't do it when in 4 wheel drive mode.

I had it in the garage here in St Helens yesterday. It's a good garage who do plenty of imports etc. They checked out the tracking, camber, ball joints, suspension bushes etc etc, and found no problems at all. He had it up on the MOT ramps and still couldn't find anything (and this garage isn't known for its easy pass rate). He says he swapped front/rear to no avail too.

I've spoke to my mate today while fitting the towbar and he reckons there could be another possibility. Not too long back he changed all 4 tyres on his Discovery for new ones. Straight away it handled like a dog wandering over the road. I tried to tell him that it was because its a Land Rover and they're all crap, but he wasn't having it. After speaking to the fitters, he found that with 4x4 tyres, with the sidewalls being so high, you only need one tyre to be slightly iffy (even new) and it can play havoc. He swapped front/rear and then found the rear was playing up, as if he had very worn springs. He had all 4 changed again and it was sorted. Now the worrying thing for me is that this is quite a common known problem to garages, but it isn't mentioned much in the public domain.

If you do find the problem and cure, please let us all know (as I will if I get mine sorted), as I''m sure a number of people will get this over time, especially as more Surf's' arrive in the country.

[Garmo]

My 92 2.4 ssr-x was doing the same went through all sorts of checks on tyres and suspension finally got advice on forum to check and change the plastic bushes in the idler arm assembly. Cost about £4 @ Milners and 20 minutes work on my mates drive instant cure , can now roll a fag without having to lean on sterring wheel.

[Nick V]

Pablo. put this in the General section earlier:

Had the Surf for a few days now and it's great, but would appreciate some advice.

Was looking at it front on today from a distance - well longer than my drive - when it was parked on a level surface, and noticed that the front nearside wheel has slight negative camber but the offside is straight. It also seems that the n/s is very slightly lower than the o/s. Had a look underneath and could see no evidence of anything being whacked or any creases in any metal. It drives great and does not pull to the side under breaking, maybe just a slight tendancy to wander to the left if I let go of the wheel.

I thought maybe the suspension needs lifting on that side or has a fault/weakness. I will go back to the dealer tomorrow, but could any of you experienced Surfers shed any light on this please?

Have you any camber in the wheel?

Cheers, Nick

[kitesurf_phil]

Mine was pulling badly to the right after an outing to The Pit. My brother sorted the tracking for me but a couple of days later it was drifting more than slightly to the left. I checked the tyre pressures and found that I had 32PSI in all but the front o/s, which had 28PSI. With the same pressure in all four tyres I still have a slight drift to the left. I'll see if my brother has a ramp free on Tuesday and try the checks suggested by Marky.

I also seem to have about 1.25" of play in the steering.

[marky]

Mine was pulling badly to the right after an outing to The Pit. My brother sorted the tracking for me but a couple of days later it was drifting more than slightly to the left. I checked the tyre pressures and found that I had 32PSI in all but the front o/s, which had 28PSI. With the same pressure in all four tyres I still have a slight drift to the left. I'll see if my brother has a ramp free on Tuesday and try the checks suggested by Marky.

I also seem to have about 1.25" of play in the steering.

look where the idler arm comes down & turn wheels left to right also little balljoint on the end

[kitesurf_phil]

cheers marky

[marky]

here you go mate