Loose-rattly steering feeling

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:45 am

Hi all, is there any suggested Christchurch Terrano or steering service people I should see re this recent happening.

Symptoms are something is starting to rattle esp noticable when in 4wd and traversing uneven terrain , more noticable decending down hill I think.
It also appears there is extra than usual play in the linkages and where the steering links to it all, but I know little about this mechanical side of things. I also feel it wanders a little when travelling at speed on the highway too. Seems to have started since last weekends jaunt with the Lions Club Safari, or maybee this has just aggrivated an existing problem?

The following comment has been made by an US website for Pathfinders for a similar problem "check the idler arm, center link, tie rod ends, and ball joints to make sure they are in good condition.. then maybe an allignement"

So, what to do? who to turn to? ideas anyone?

Dak · Post by **Dak** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:17 pm

Idler is the most likely one to cause this. Check that for starters. It's bolted to the left hand front chassis rail.

Cheers, Jeff.

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 2:42 pm

Looks like it is the tie rod ends again. :cry:

Is going in on Tuesday for the experts to have a look at. Also think one of the upper bushings on the A arm, drivers side, needs replacing too.

Seems like this is going to be a bit of an ongoing thing as it wasnt too long ago tie rods and some bushes were replaced.

Should I look at replacing all bushes and ball joints on the front end this time?

Might get some longer travel shocks put in the back this time too.

To hell with the expense I say :shock:

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:09 pm

PM AlBundy and see if you can arrange for him to have a look, he's bent or broken about every part of the terrano steering ;-)

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:10 pm

Well here's the list of things they found, tis goin in on Monday to get operated on. :wink:

Drag Link
Inner-Outer tie rod ends
Upper Trailing arm bushes
Lower Trailing arm bushes
Panhard Rod bushes
Caster Arm bushes

I am also going to get longer travel shocks fitted to the rear too.

All up about $1300.00

Willy · Post by **Willy** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:00 pm

yep your on the right track. I'm on my third drag link and 4th set of idler arm busings. Its a different truck with all that in good shape on the road. I bought a new one at first, its now carried round as a spare.

If you havent already, get your self a idler arm brace made up, keeps it from bending. Also tried on of those camelot branded idler arms, didn't last 50k on the road so I've stuck to rebuilding the idler arm with new bushings.

SAS do a good job fixing up draglinks, they give you 1 year warranty aswell. If you want to stop this from happening ever again and don't mind certing checkout.....

http://www.nissan4x4.co.za/forum/forum_ ... PN=0&TPN=1

555 (BNT) TRE's hold up ok, the paint's not so good though.

Superpro bushings seem to work well aswell.

Cheers

Willy

DieselBoy · Post by **DieselBoy** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:53 pm

kiwipete wrote:Well here's the list of things they found, tis goin in on Monday to get operated on.

Drag Link
Inner-Outer tie rod ends
Upper Trailing arm bushes
Lower Trailing arm bushes
Panhard Rod bushes
Caster Arm bushes

I am also going to get longer travel shocks fitted to the rear too.

All up about $1300.00

Anyone else think this sounds like a " we can't pin point exactly whats wrong so lets just replace everything", because thats just about whats in that list :shock:

niblik · Post by **niblik** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:23 am

was thinkin a similar sorta thing db..

:shock:

$1300 is a bit on the "eeeesh" side...

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:11 am

DieselBoy wrote:
kiwipete wrote:Well here's the list of things they found, tis goin in on Monday to get operated on.

Drag Link
Inner-Outer tie rod ends
Upper Trailing arm bushes
Lower Trailing arm bushes
Panhard Rod bushes
Caster Arm bushes

I am also going to get longer travel shocks fitted to the rear too.

All up about $1300.00

Anyone else think this sounds like a " we can't pin point exactly whats wrong so lets just replace everything", because thats just about whats in that list

The drag link and tie rod ends are quite bad all right, there is excess play in them all, and driving can be a little off putting as a result. Has deteroiated rapidly over the past 2 weeks, doubt it will pass a warrant in this state.

The bushes are in an ok state, but are showing signs of wear and tear as well as starting to perish, so I asked that they be replaced now, rather than have to get them done in another 12 or so months.
Quoted 7 hrs labour along with the cost of the longer travel shocks, was near what I expected to pay.
I am not a home mechanic so I am happyish to pay even if it may be a little on the dear side.
Maybee when my shed is done, I may have the space and area to ask someone to assist me in the future. :wink:

DieselBoy · Post by **DieselBoy** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 10:46 pm

Good stuff man, get it sorted properly like ya said

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Tue May 01, 2007 5:57 pm

DieselBoy wrote:Good stuff man, get it sorted properly like ya said

All done and back on the road. Feels nice n firm like a new one.

Was mentioned to me that I should look into putting Parado (sp) gear in the front as these have springs instead of torsion bars, and will give greater articulation in the front.
Any thoughts on this idea as I know little about it all?