Offroad-Express

In my cruiser there is a big knock when going from lock to lock. Is this a common problem? What is it likely to be, something like bearings or is the steering damper (the shock between hubs) worn?

Also the steering isn't very responsive and seems to have quite a lot of play. For example I can drive in a straight line on the motor way and have to have the steeringwheel at about 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock to keep it in a straight line... but in saying that, other times its at 12? Is this normal or is something very worn?

Cheers

depending on your tire size..(mine are 33x12.5's) and they wander all the time(on the road very similar to you but on the gravel it's all good)..but check your tire rod ends..they may be flogged out etc..also give your front wheels a wiggle when on the jack to check the wheel bearings..a little movement is ok but if it's like wiggling alot then you can either pull the wheel bearings and check the carriers and if they are ok then just repack with grease and tighten them up..another thing is check the leaf spring perchs and u bolts..they may be loose and it'l handle like a pig when they are..hope that helps ya..cheerzz

I run the same size tyres as yours, what pressure do you run on the road?

Forgot to mention that I run no swaybars, was thinking of fitting the front to see how it goes.

Good idea though, will have to check the u-bolts etc. Hadn't though of that. I'm going to have to see if my jack can actually lift it high enough to get the tyre off the ground now! Its a decent lift jack but I'm used to cars..

Cheers for tips, will see what I can do.

I have the same symptoms. I discovered the knock is the springs slightly shifting in themselves, get some one to stand at the front and see if there is any movement there associated with a noise, you can (well I could) do it while parked and just trun the lock.

After not driving other cars for awhile or just driving my cruiser it is 'normal'. After using another vehicle for a while my steering is shocking.

I have a BJ73 on 33's that wanders on the road. I solved some of the problem by adjusting the free play in the steering box. There is a screw locked by a nut on the top of the steering box loosen the nut and turn the screw. Just don't adjust out too much play or the box will bind- adjust it with the front wheels jacked up so you can feel any binding.

Pete

Awesome thanks, added to the long list of things to sort!

jack up the front so the wheels are off the ground then go over everything... could be one thing or a number of things, some of them quite scarey...

Check your kingpins by grabbing each wheel top and bottom and rock it up/down (push the top in and out while pulling the bottom out and in - hope that makes sense) to see if they are worn (my first 70 collapsed a kingpin bearing and had the same vague steering result). This could potentially cause the whole knuckle to fly apart if not fixed. There should be no play here whatsoever... if there is any movement get it checked immediately.

Check your steering joints by getting someone to turn the steering wheel 1/2 a turn in each direction over and over while you look at each joint in the steering setup looking for undue play.

Also stuffed shocks can have a play in this, causing the front to feel a little vague.

The knock could be one of the joints between the steering box and the tie rod (rod that ties the left and right knuckle together) - when they get worn or loose they can do that.

If you're not totally sure, take it for a WOF and get them to find it for you Its a cheap safety check for your 4WD

Steve