The best steering fix that has saved me big dollars.

Submitted: Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 12:58
ThreadID: 104863 Views:5925 Replies:6 FollowUps:10
This Thread has been Archived
Hi all, I have had my 4x4 for a few years now I had a set of mud tyres fitted to it as I do abit of 4wding up the bush with mates. Done a few trips away towing a caravan and some without the ute Hilux did the job fine but the steering while towing was no so good a little scary on narrow roads trying to dart off to the edge of the seal throwing the van off the edge. I spoke to my mates one with the same Hilux he said his done the same I explained to him that mine wore the inside off my tyres out before the tyres were even worn out he said yeah that what all mud tyres do. I thought the alignment may have been out so I took it back to tyre dealer and they said the same thing because there such a big chunky tread they schoolop the inside. So there i was fitting two new tyres again $600 later. So I left it for awhile and done some research and did not find a lot of info. About two weeks later I was speaking to a friend and he said take it to the truck whisperer he will fix it so I got his number and called him that day I had it into him to have a look he then explained to me he could fix it and had done many of them and had good results. So after 12months now my tyres have shown no wear on the inside and towing the van was much better I could drive like I was not even towing at all. Big thanks to the truck whisperer you have saved me two tyres already and the misses like towing the van now so that's good for me as I can kick back and have a can.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Lyn W3 - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 13:45

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 13:45
And..................what did he whisper to it???
AnswerID: 520333

Follow Up By: Steven A3 - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 13:58

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 13:58
He fixed the steering for me and I'm saving good money on tyres that's all I care. No one else could help me they would help take my money tho and still the steering was the same.
0
FollowupID: 800767

Reply By: Ron N - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 13:58

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 13:58
It's not just whispering .... it's all in the stroking, just like a woman! [;-)

This old thread covers it, and T-Ribby describes exactly how it's done!! LOL

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/45567/Truck_Whisperer-_What_do_they_do.aspx
AnswerID: 520334

Follow Up By: Steven A3 - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 14:05

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 14:05
So true there are plenty of strokers out there. Im happy with the result in my Hilux steering don't knock something you haven't tried.
0
FollowupID: 800768

Follow Up By: allein m - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 14:53

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 14:53
I had just bought 2 new tires for my car for rego inspection here in NSW and after inspection the guy said to me he will pass it this time but next time I have to save up because I need tie rods fixed


I was a little concerned that I had bought some new tire and they may not last while I was down in Adelaide we went a place near marions shopping center left the car there asked for a check up on suspension and tie rods

Nothing wrong they had been replaced not too long ago I had only had the car 12 months

I did not return the mechanic for the next pink slip inspection and 5 year later tire tie rods and every thing is still ok

I do not do many ks living here in Broken Hill

I was so annoyed I would have given the guy a lot of money for nothing he may have put new part in but it is the labor cost he wanted

why do some mechanics do this ?
0
FollowupID: 800770

Follow Up By: Steven A3 - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 15:02

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 15:02
Because there are not a lot of honest people around anymore mate and everyone is trying to make a dollar not knowing that by doin things like that gives there bussiness a bad name and they loose bussiness.
0
FollowupID: 800771

Follow Up By: Ron N - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 15:23

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 15:23
We haven't got a local Truck Whisperer who kills anyone who learns his secrets - but we've sure got lots of steering aligners who are happy to take your money and fiddle with your steering and front end with little idea of what they're doing.

The secret to front ends is understanding the complexities of steering geometry - and how putting much larger tyres and wheels on, as compared to what the original designers intended - will make your steering work like the steering on the hill trolley you built when you were 9 yrs old. [;-)

Any major increase in width and diameter of tyres and wheels over the original, merely substantially exacerbates any slight wear, out-of-balance situation, or misalignment in the front end.
Manufacturers regularly specify no more than + or - 3% change in tyre diameter over the original-fit tyres.

As with all mechanical repair work - it's the total thoroughness of the examination, and the thought that goes into what caused the problem or failure in the first place - that makes for a successful repair.

There are vast amounts of manufacturers specifications that are often totally ignored or not even known about.
Checks on specs such as chassis alignment measurements for diagonal twist in the horizontal and vertical planes; checks for front and rear axle alignments; the weight (and its positioning) that needs to be placed in a vehicle when alignments are being done .. the list goes on and on.
Unseen lumps of mud caught inside rims create out-of-balance conditions that cause steering wobbles; unseen and unchecked damage to axle housings, wishbones and steering components create misalignment that can only be corrected when they're fixed.
These are all the things that need to be scrupulously checked when doing alignments.

I was taught that no alignment should even be done unless new front tyres are fitted (or the front tyres swapped with the rear), to eliminate any potential misalignment created by unevenly-worn tyres.
It goes without saying that all tyre pressures must be checked before any alignment work is done. How many aligners have you seen do all this?

I'll wager the Truck Whisperer doesn't use any magic - he just does his aligning work with more thought and thoroughness.
1
FollowupID: 800773

Reply By: allein m - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 17:23

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 17:23
Steven A3 posted:
Because there are not a lot of honest people around anymore mate and everyone is trying to make a dollar not knowing that by doin things like that gives there bussiness a bad name and they loose bussiness.

that is so true and they have you by the family jewels when it comes to the pink slip you either do there dance or fail rego


AnswerID: 520342

Reply By: The Bantam - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 20:16

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 20:16
The problem is the vast majority of wheel aligners are just that and very little more.

Mostly they are not qualified mechanics and certainly not suspension specilists.

The vast majority will do nothing more than set the alignment to the figures in "the book" as quickly as possible and very little more.

Some of the factory standard suspension figures are far less than optimal even for the bog standard vehicle.
Put taller and wider tyres on or change the suspension height and all bets are off concerning the factory specs

All to often they don't even have the first inkling of understanding suspension geometry.

There are quite a few fairly competent suspension and steering mechanics that do aligmnents....and the odd or two one who is truly talented.

When you find one......find out where he lives...he may not work for the same shop all his life.

cheers

AnswerID: 520348

Reply By: Ross M - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 20:36

Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 20:36
Steven A3
You didn't say if the Hilux has solid front axle or an IFS model.

There is not much to align on a solid front axle model but more to consider with an IFS machine.
The truck whisperer will have set the front end as it should be. Nothing more nothing less.
Unfortunately, as Bantam and others have indicated, it is a fact, in most places you usually get less.

My guess is the Hilux is IFS and when loaded the front rises and goes negative camber, especially when towing a van, so the insides of the tread wears off as it is in hardest contact with the road.

The darting around is possibly insufficient caster angle and both types of axle need some positive caster.
It is the man, not the machine, which sets your alignment, and most don't know anything about alignment and as mentioned aren't mechanics either.
Most mechanics SHOULD learn about alignment in their training, unfortunately they don't/can't seem to take it in. The ones who do can then just whisper and they become noticed. 2 in 100 apprentices end up knowing. 10 in 100 know something about vehicles, the rest are parts replacers.

Ross M
AnswerID: 520350

Follow Up By: Steven A3 - Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 08:13

Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 08:13
Hi all when I spoke to the Ken the trucke whisperer he explained to me there is nothing wrong with the wheel alignment, he said people have been alining vehicle for decades now they all know what they are doing to set the vehicles right. To me that sound very true as I done a few year myself at a tyre dealear and done many alignments and its not rocket science these day when the computer tells you what to do. He told me there is a fault within the power steering system with most vehicles there are 3-4 faults that can be fixed.
As having a stint in the tyre bussiness I look around his work shop and didn't see any sign of alining equipment. Infact he told me why would he bother doing wheel alignments when there are thousands of people out there doing it and there are still people complaining about there tyre wear and poor steering ability especially in large trucks.
Steven A3 I don't drive with the van on the hole life of my tyres so that can't be the problem.
0
FollowupID: 800808

Follow Up By: Ross M - Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 09:53

Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 09:53
You mean to say, the TruckW said, the alignment is correct but the fault is in the power steering???????????
Sounds like nonsense to me.
0
FollowupID: 800811

Reply By: howesy - Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 15:57

Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 15:57
Most aligners set the toe between specs but some vehicles respond better outside of specs. I had a ute with same problem and specs said total maximum toe was 2.5 degrees with std being aroun 1.75. My guy said throw that out the window with your vehicle mate and he set a total toe of 3.5 degrees (1.75 per side) and it drove like a dream handled well and no wear on the inside.
I would be surprised if he simply pulled the toe in a couple of degrees,,,, have you had it re-measured elsewhere after he did it.
AnswerID: 520375

Follow Up By: Steven A3 - Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 17:25

Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 17:25
Guys he dose not touch the alignment, I can guarantee the alignment was not touched. Every alignment I have ever had has not made the steering as good as it is now and the handling it's more smoother in the steering and the hole vehicle stands up better on corners. Whatever he dose with the power steering dose make a huge difference like no one else has ever done before that maybe why he will not tell anyone exactly what he dose. It's like most things you take it in to be fixed u pick it up if its not any better or fixed then you ask questions. Everyone dose not mind spending there hard earned on things as long as they get good things /results for there cash.
0
FollowupID: 800823

Follow Up By: howesy - Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 18:45

Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 18:45
I would say impossible,,, power steering is simply using hydraulics to assit with the movement of mechanical parts the only possible thing in power steering that can affect your wear is if you have play in the box (mechanical parts) which can be eliminated through proper adjustment but play in the box would show through play in the steering wheel. If there has never been any play in the steering wheel and the column link to the box is good then the box is pretty well adjusted. Everything else from there is all part of the wheel alignment process, to shim for caster ,(wheel alignment process) to take out play in the drag links or make any other adjustments(wheel alignment process) if you are seeing scalloping or wear it can only be areas associated with wheel alignment (geometry) or shock absorbers or worn parts or incorrect tyre pressures. if he didnt replace the shockies or any other parts or make any other changes to geometry what so ever (alignment process) then maybe he just pumped the tyres up. I personally think he goes outside of spec and covers his tracks to make it look like it was never touched because if people knew it was a simple adjustment outside of normal spec then they wouldnt pay $500 or what ever it is they charge. Just my opinion so hold off before you shoot me. :-)
0
FollowupID: 800828

Follow Up By: Ross M - Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 22:32

Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 22:32
howesy
I think you are spot on. For the truck man tell someone they worked on the power steering and that fixed the issue is great use of the three B's. B21431t Baffles Brains.

Having or not having power assistance has nothing to do with tyre wear and tracking of a vehicle.
I agree something has had to have been done to the adjustment of camber caster and toe in to point it all in the right direction so it can operate as intended by the designer.
Perhaps he doesn't actually touch the normal adjustments and bends the chassis to suit.
Maybe he bends the suspension components

It still seems some of the biggest crooks around are still in wheel alignment. They have infiltrated every other sphere of today's mechanical marvels.
In today's world of "transparency" the motoring world is still pretty cloudy, misty and concealed from the user.
0
FollowupID: 800846

Sponsored Links