[Built4thrashing]

The steering on the GV as become very knotchy over the last few weeks. It started with worn out outer steering ball joints (IFS drag link knuckles) that i got replaced and new allignment but its now even worse. Nothing seems to be binding on the steering shaft or knuckles. Any suggestions what i should start checking...... Struts have a little play in the shafts but i doubt that would cause the stiff steering.

Any one had a similar problem?

[Scrawny]

Top or bottom suspension ball joints? Steering column uni joint? Loose/worn belt? Low fluid level?

[atari4x4]

stuffed rack?

[Built4thrashing]

Just been out and pulled both front wheels off and disconnected the tie rod ends. Steering feel is better but still has tight spots.... Im thinking maybe i have something stuck on the worm gear that moves the rack side to side....... Could be time for a new rack ......





and not the sort Joe can offer

[atari4x4]

i wouldn't be surprised, been wheeling with stuffed rack boots at all?

[Built4thrashing]

Not that i know of..... Rack boots are the hard plastic type and look to be intact but it was getting dark outside when i was checking..... Might look into a reco- C/over unit....

[Joe]

Built4thrashing wrote:

and not the sort Joe can offer

[fordem]

Remove the lower steering column and check the UJs - the bottom one is probably shot - Suzuki only supplies the complete column, but the UJs are replaceable, if you can locate a replacement (try a nissan dealer).

One last thing - if you have air bags, do NOT rotate the steering wheel or move the rack whilst you have the column disconnected.

[GV6]

If you end up looking for a lower steering shaft, Suzuki's price will give you a heart attack at just under $1000. I got a replacement lower steering shaft from an american ebay shop approx $165 delivered.

It is essentially the same as the genuine part in that the splines and dimensions are the same, the ebay version doesn't have the extra bushing above the top universal tho, at least this gives less chance of play in the shaft.

My steering had been crap since I bought the car a year ago. I finally made a tool to do a home alignment and after some trial and error I think most of the notchiness has dissappaeared; in my case the steering wheel was previously off-centre compared to actual straight tracking (even tho the steering wheel and rack weren't moved during the lower steering shaft change, in-fact the off centre steering wheel position has been the same since I got the car, even after a "professional" alignment).

I'm not exactly sure how the power steering or rack work as far as self centre-ing goes, but since re-aligning so the steering wheel is straight, the steering seems to be smoother and less erratic. Maybe the way the valving in the power steering works can cause this ???

[want33s]

GV6 wrote:

I'm not exactly sure how the power steering or rack work as far as self centre-ing goes,

Rack does SFA to make wheels centre themselves. Centreing is a result of caster. Hence your steering will only self centre if you are going forwards.

GV6 wrote:

but since re-aligning so the steering wheel is straight, the steering seems to be smoother and less erratic. Maybe the way the valving in the power steering works can cause this ???

Most power racks have a dead spot at centre so that the steering isn't too touchy. The further you get away from the centre of the rack, the more steering assist is supplied.
Having your steering wheel out wouldn't affect the rack at all... I'd say it is a combination of a decent alignment and having the wheel in the right place so it just feels better.

[GV6]

want33s wrote:

GV6 wrote:

I'm not exactly sure how the power steering or rack work as far as self centre-ing goes,

Rack does SFA to make wheels centre themselves. Centreing is a result of caster. Hence your steering will only self centre if you are going forwards.

GV6 wrote:

but since re-aligning so the steering wheel is straight, the steering seems to be smoother and less erratic. Maybe the way the valving in the power steering works can cause this ???

Most power racks have a dead spot at centre so that the steering isn't too touchy. The further you get away from the centre of the rack, the more steering assist is supplied.
Having your steering wheel out wouldn't affect the rack at all... I'd say it is a combination of a decent alignment and having the wheel in the right place so it just feels better.

Yes, but there is very little castor on a GV, 2.4 deg is spec.

If there is a dead spot in the centre to allow the castor to self centre does this mean that if both wheels are aligned one side of centre, that the power steering may be trying to assist in one direction?

The GV manual has a complicated diagram of the valving which has various inputs and outputs (possibly depending on steering angle), I dunno how it works, but the steering on mine has now improved dramatically.

[shabz]

Built4thrashing wrote:

...... Could be time for a new rack ......

Mine's on it's way out aswell - it's been slowly leaking for a while and since the last trip out its noisey too

fordem wrote:

One last thing - if you have air bags, do NOT rotate the steering wheel or move the rack whilst you have the column disconnected.

Why not??

[Chop]

shabz wrote:

Built4thrashing wrote:

...... Could be time for a new rack ......

Mine's on it's way out aswell - it's been slowly leaking for a while and since the last trip out its noisey too

Not that bouncy hill climb thats helped them both?

[fordem]

shabz wrote:

Built4thrashing wrote:

...... Could be time for a new rack ......

Mine's on it's way out aswell - it's been slowly leaking for a while and since the last trip out its noisey too

fordem wrote:

One last thing - if you have air bags, do NOT rotate the steering wheel or move the rack whilst you have the column disconnected.

Why not??

Man - I am tempted to say try it at your own risk...

You'll end up fscking the clock spring.