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Hey guys.
Been out and about in the sandman to get work done here and there, and i couldnt help but notice it feels like Im steering a boat.
My other HQ vans always handled much nicer. So i know its how long is a piece of string and all that, but whats the first port of call to tighten up the handling.
Its a HZ so has RTS, and it has heavy duty front sway bar with nolathane bushes, gabriel front shocks and cut lovell springs, but nothing else has been done so lots of bits are probably clapped out.
Ill be getting the back springs reset lower in a few weeks.
I imagine its a combination of springs, shocks and bushes plus maybe the ball joints, p/steering box etc... Is ther other stuff in there like the pitman/control arms, steering boots etc that could be crapped out?
Thinkin i might just take it in to pedders or some suspension place and get everything checked and maybe replaced.
I guess what im askin here amoungst this verbal diarrhoea, is what are the usual suspects in s***ty steering and handling?
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Idler arm, opposite side rail to steering box. Best bet is to jack up the front and put it on stands, then wriggle each wheel and see where the play is. |
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I check Holden front ends & steering linkage differently to that method. I find that when letting the front arms go to full drop, too much angle is put on the idler & it looks worse than it actually is. Besides, I've found that most of the time the idler bush benefits from a good lube. A genuine worn idler bush with grease added, is likely to be better than a new no-name Asian replacement. This method also loads the ball joints & hides any play in that area.
To check for looseness in the ball joints, jack under the lower wishbone & check the upper & lower joints for play without the spring loading affecting them. Do this for each side separately. Once you're happy the ball joints are OK, drop it to the ground & get a helper to 'rock' the steering wheel slightly (in the straight ahead position) to see where the play lies. The most common trouble spots are the steering box itself, the joint at the RH end of the draglink (where the pitman arm attaches) & the various tie rod ends. Another area of concern is the intermediate shaft, in particular the 'bell' universal joint. It may be rebuildable, or it might be that bad it needs replacing.
Dr Terry |
If at first you don't succeed, just call it Version 1.0 |
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr Terry
I check Holden front ends & steering linkage differently to that method. I find that when letting the front arms go to full drop, too much angle is put on the idler & it looks worse than it actually is. Besides, I've found that most of the time the idler bush benefits from a good lube. A genuine worn idler bush with grease added, is likely to be better than a new no-name Asian replacement. This method also loads the ball joints & hides any play in that area.
To check for looseness in the ball joints, jack under the lower wishbone & check the upper & lower joints for play without the spring loading affecting them. Do this for each side separately. Once you're happy the ball joints are OK, drop it to the ground & get a helper to 'rock' the steering wheel slightly (in the straight ahead position) to see where the play lies. The most common trouble spots are the steering box itself, the joint at the RH end of the draglink (where the pitman arm attaches) & the various tie rod ends. Another area of concern is the intermediate shaft, in particular the 'bell' universal joint. It may be rebuildable, or it might be that bad it needs replacing.
Dr Terry
i have NOS draglink here in geelong & also NOS idler arm assy (not repro rubbish.also 3 NOS tie rod ends & balljoints regards DD 0412109239 www.bellarineclassicautos.com.au
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Rank: Member
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Thanks guys.
Appreciate the feedback. Ill look into all that.
Also DD thanks for that. Ill get it looked at and see what needs tightening and what needs replacing, then get back to you.
Cheers.
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