100 series: Heavy Steering

Submitted: Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 20:08
ThreadID: 32757 Views:2171 Replies:7 FollowUps:4
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Just got a 98 100 series. My wife finds the steering heavy compared to the 85 HJ60 (we still have it). I have to agree it does seem a little heavier. Is this just the way it is or is this a problem ?

If this is just what they are like, are there any ways to improve the steering ?

Vib
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Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 20:28

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 20:28
I broke the belt on mine and you would know if it was that, but just before it broke the steering did seem to get heavy so it may be worth checking the condition of the belt. Also have you asked a toyota dealer for their opinion (even by phone) maybe it's a pump giving you grief??? I always thought the steering was light in mine.

Cheers Trevor.
AnswerID: 166244

Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 21:10

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 21:10
Trevor,

No power steering pump belts on 100 series, drive for the pump is off the injector pump drive.

Broke a p/s belt on a 60 series once, hard work, specially down the New England H'way, and Putty Road.

Hooroo...
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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 21:24

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 21:24
Bob,

Please tell me what belt I broke on my 100series diesel that turned the steering to $hit just out of Proserpine QLD? I was then subsequently charged for a power steering belt by the mechanic who left a huge screwdriver (which I still have) in the engine bay that I found down in Mackay. Mine was a 99 model if there is a difference between the years.
You have got me thinking back a few years now but my memory is pretty good of that instance, NOT ALWAYS CORRECT THOUGH :-)))

Happy to be Corrected but now intrigued.
Trevor.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 22:20

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 22:20
Trevor,

You are right, but so am I. Teach me to generalise about a model I'm not 100% sure on. Checked a 100 series w'shop manual, which mentioned p/s drive belts, but I've never seen a 1HZ diesel engine with a p/s belt driven pump.

Then walked down to the shed and checked the 03 model we have here - no belt.
I'm intrigued now too, but bugger it, I'm off to bed.

Hooroo..
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Reply By: Footloose - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 20:36

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 20:36
My HJ60 had power steering, as does my 80 series. No difference really, and I wouldnt expect strife with a well maintained 100.
AnswerID: 166247

Reply By: Member - Ian H (NSW) - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 20:48

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 20:48
This might sound silly but it happened on my 80 series. The lower hub swivel on one side suffered 2 missing nuts on the retainer plate and one stud broke off. The retainer plate was nearly right off with the bearing attached. Steering got a bit heavy really quickly. Probably not your problem but worth a look. If it is faulty you will see it easily.
AnswerID: 166252

Reply By: Member - Loco Locums - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 21:46

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 21:46
Here's another thought on the subject...our first 100 series was a '98 and it was a little heavier in the steering than the mid eighties HJ-60's. An explantion might be that the HJ-60 had the old style power steering similar to the old Chev's of the '60's and 70's. That is, all assistance for maximum benefit for low speed parking etc...but no bleed off at higher engine revs meant that they had a less positive road feel.

Later innovations had a pressure bleed off valve to give more road feel at cruising speeds.

To exacerbate the difference, the HJ-60 also had a slightly bigger diameter steering wheel to the 100 series. This would give more assistance via the gearing advantage of a larger diameter steering wheel.

Anyway...it might be food for thought.

Cheers all
Rick & Julie
AnswerID: 166283

Follow Up By: vib - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 22:55

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 22:55
Thanks, I figured that the extra big wheel would make a bit of a differance in the 60. The 60 is definitly more nimble in the carpark and you are spot on with the road feel in 100 compared to the 60. Does not look like there is much I can do about it.

Thanks to all who contributed. Vib
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Reply By: Member - Tony G (ACT) - Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 at 08:29

Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 at 08:29
Worth checking the front tyre pressure on the 100. Bumping it up a bit may help.
AnswerID: 166363

Reply By: BenSpoon - Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 at 10:30

Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 at 10:30
Might just be the vehicle- I know all the work 100's are much heavier than my 80's steering, and the 45 I had before that was a joke- you could flick the wheel and it would spin 2 turns.
On the 45 there was a nut on the side of the p/s pump to make it a little heavier/looser- you could try looking for something like that on your p/s box
AnswerID: 166406

Reply By: Jason M P - Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 at 11:35

Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 at 11:35
What about the steering damper (shocker on the front steering arm) ???????
Check that out....
cheers.
AnswerID: 166416

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