Hilux with a bit of a wandering issue

[3VILC]

Ok, so what happens is when you drive forwards the steering wheels pulls around about 70degrees to the right (truck is driving straight ahead) there is no pulling but a slight random wandering which is sometimes worse than others particularly if the surface is not even (like most NZ highways lol) and the steering feels quite vague. The best I can liken it too is real bad castor on a lifted truck, but mine is standard height. The is no real noticable dead spot in the steering when not moving, no noticeable play in any of the link ends, and nothing is noticably bent. I should probably add this is since the last offroad outing so truck hasnt always handled like this. What should I investigate next? Only thing I can think of is the damping springs in the drag link ends, would this cause such a noticable problem?
Should probably also mention its an 89 YN67 hilux, solid front axle.
Wheel bearings have been repacked and adjusted, leaf packs have been swapped and bushings changed, no change to problem.
Can I pull the split pins on the ends and try tighten the plugs to see if this has any effect? I guess the springs would take out noticable play pulling the rod by hand until a load is put on them ie. truck moving (Not familiar with this type of ball joint)

Any suggestions or ideas welcome
Cheers, Clive

[nstacey]

Can I pull the split pins on the ends and try tighten the plugs to see if this has any effect? I guess the springs would take out noticable play pulling the rod by hand until a load is put on them ie. truck moving (Not familiar with this type of ball joint)

Jack up both front wheels and get someone to steer the steering wheel while you hold the joints. You should be able to identify if there is any play there.
Otherwise, I had a similar issue with my Hilux and can't quite remember the main fix but it was a combination of adjusting the draglink joints and adjusting the nut and screw on the side of the steering box.

[chrome]

might be a dicky control arm. my old surf used to wander on the highway till it was replaced

[3VILC]

Ok so on further inspection, I'm guessing that the C-arm end of the draglink the plug should sit near flush with the end like the front one does, not screwed in so far you can see the split pin holes over the face of the plug. Removing the plug reveals just a flat metal surface I'm guessing the back of the halfmoon as I would expect the spring and seat should pop out first on this end looking at diagrams! So much for the drag link ends being replaced when I got the truck. Guess they actually meant taken the springs out and done up tight as f**k to pass a warrent. Grrrr

[meatc]

BNT should be able to get rebuild bits for those joints. I got 60 series ones off them a couple of years ago. New cap, rubbers and if needed to ball/taper part too, not overly expensive