Wandering Jackaroo
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 09:34
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1986
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fisherPete
Hi everyone, we have a problem with my wifes 03 Jackaroo Nullarbor wandering. I only picked it up when I borrowed it to take youngest son to work.I t seems to change direction either way. We did replace the front tyres with some Ht pattern tyres my oldest son did not want. I have replaced the front schocks with Monroe Magums only a few months ago. I have a feeling it may be as bush in the rear
suspension. The vehicle is fitted with electric brakes so has done heavy towing in a past life. It only has 127000ks up.
Thanks for any ideas,.
Cheers Pete
Reply By: olcoolone - Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 10:58
Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 10:58
Have to had the wheel alignment checked?
AnswerID:
507473
Follow Up By: fisherPete - Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 11:13
Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 11:13
Yes mate, I will swap cars tomorrow with Sal and take it down tro the local expert.
FollowupID:
784734
Reply By: kev.h - Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 11:03
Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 11:03
Hi Pete
Have a good look at the rear bushes the usual tell tail is if it consistently pulls one way under hard acceleration and the opposite way when decelerating it means the rear axle is moving back and forward on one side, quite strange to drive
It happens slowly so sometimes the driver accepts it as normal until someone else drives it
Check all mount points and links I have seen some cracked and about to come adrift also
check for bent traction rods as they feel the same
Cheers Kev
AnswerID:
507474
Follow Up By: fisherPete - Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 11:11
Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 11:11
Yep spot on Kev, Sal had got use to it, but I found it unnerving to drive. I reckon Its getting rear wheel steer. It wanders at a constant throttle, and is a bit unnerving.
Thanks Pete
FollowupID:
784733
Reply By: The Bantam - Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 13:45
Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 13:45
a couple of things to
check.
#1 all independent front ends have an issue with the steering idler bush....at one end of the steering rod there is the steering box at the other end is the idler.
movement in this idler will cause wandering.
get an assistant to move the steering wheel and look for movement in the bush.
#2. remember if the front end is bent, it is possible to achieve a completly to spec wheel alignment and still have a problem.
the front end needs to be measured up checking that all the front end bits are the same distance from a reliable centre point at the rear of the vehicle
#3. any other worn bushes, ball joints or tierod ends in the front end can cause problems.
I doubt very much that the rear end will be causing this unless it is in a very bad way.
Remember, most of the people at tyre dealers are not very clever and are very frequently found lacking when it comes to 4WDs and light commercials.
Go to a mechanic who knows his business or a known good
suspension specialaist.
cheers
AnswerID:
507479
Reply By: Axle - Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 14:50
Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 14:50
G/Day Pete, As Bantam says,...I'd be looking at the idler arm bush very carefully,
landrover defenders are a bugger in that area, bit of wear sends you all over the place.
Cheers Axle.
AnswerID:
507483
Follow Up By: Nickywoop - Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 18:47
Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 at 18:47
Pete,
I reckon, Bantam & Axle are pretty
well on the money.
Had a Triton years ago, had your same problem, was the idler arm bushes.
Cheers Nick
FollowupID:
784772
Reply By: fisherPete - Wednesday, Mar 27, 2013 at 21:01
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2013 at 21:01
Thanks to everyone for your replies. Turns out the culprit is a worn steering box, which has me stumped as the vehicle has only covered 127000ks. Maybe it was not packed with grease correctly when new who knows. My old 98 had over 200000ks on when sold and had no problems like this.
Cheers Pete
AnswerID:
507695