introduction and request for help

[Guest]

Hi Steve,
I think the dealer is using the wrong terminology, he says rack but means
box - the 80 series doesn't have a rack it has a box (you do have an 80
series not a 100 series?). You probably don't need to worry about the
difference at this stage, if he is replacing the box that will hopefully
solve it.
When you say 'with the ignition on' do you mean with the engine running or
do you mean with the engine off but the key switched to the running
position?
If it's the former then that would make sense - the power steering works on
hydraulic pressure created by an engine driven pump.
If you mean engine off but ignition on then that's a lot more confusing; you
do have speed sensitive power steering, so there is a solenoid valve in your
system which probably could only be activated with the ignition on. How this
would produce the effect you're getting without the hydraulic pressure being
applied I don't know.
I could see the steering damper binding if it got bent, but I can't imagine
any way it could actively turn your wheels - it is just a piston with holes
in it being pushed through a tube of hydraulic fluid, also it is completely
independent of the engine.
Best of luck,
Toby
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[Guest]

Steve,
As Pete says, sod the recon, brand new OEM is indeed the way to go, just as
long as they can get you one in time...
All the best,
Toby
1990 HDJ80 UK
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[Guest]

Hi Steve,
Possibly a confusion with the terminology - a 97 landcruiser would be an
80 series which has a steering box - steering racks are the sort of thing
you find in road cars - they may well be either dumbing down for
customers or just not know to call it a steering rack due to spending too
much time working on Avensis and Corollas.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Skype: julianvoelcker
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift

 

[Guest]

On 8/31/06, Steve Rawlinson <[Email address removed]> wrote:
Steve,
Why do you think it's important that the wheels should or should not
turn on their own when the front is off the ground and the power
steering is active?
I may have been confused with the details of the problem, but I guess
you should be rather concerned with the difference in left/right
turning effort. If that exists only when the engine is off, it's a
steering linkage/damper problem, or the steering box problem if it
happens only when the engine is running.
--
Rgds,
Roman (London, UK)
'92 HDJ80

 

[Guest]

There is no "steering rack" on an 80, just the box + the various tie rods.
However, if the wheels are turning of their own accord without the engine
running I cannot see how the box can be causing this? The damper maybe but
not the box??
Pete

 

[Guest]

I dont think this is important except to illustrate that the drift left
is not caused by road camber or wheel alignment. The actual problem is
that the steering is pulling left when the vehicle is being driven and
turning right is much harder than turning left.
Thanks - that seems to confirm the view held by other people on the
list. It also seems that the dealer agrees assuming that he meant box
when he said rack. I'll confirm that with him later.
steve

 

[Guest]

Steve,
A steering rack usually runs across the bulkhead with linkages at the ends
that operate the steering. Your LC has a steering box and if I remember
correctly that has an arm coming of it (pitman arm) that operates a steering
linkage. Correct everyone or am I out of date again?
The power steering box has a valve system that gives assistance in moving
the wheels for steering, my guess was there is something amiss with the
valves in the box and that is why it drifts off, also bear in mind Julian's
comment that the drifting off might be a red herring, unless you have jacked
the front up and run the engine before. The difference in effort could be
coincidental.
Dampers are passive, and designed to damp high speed movement (feedback from
bumps).
Malcolm Bagley
Stafford, UK
1975 FJ45 Pickup (In Work)
_______________________________
but I can't see how the rack would cause
the drift only when the ignition is on. (If anyone could put me right on
that I'd be obliged.)
The dealer is ordering a new steering rack - does this include the box?
If not I'll order one separately in case the rack does not fix the problem.
--
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[Guest]

Ah, sorry. When you said "with the ignition on" I assumed you meant without
the engine running.
Pete

 

[Guest]

Oops.... careful then. It's my understanding that one is forbidden from
accepting blame and if an admission is given then the insurer can void the
policy?
Pete

 

[Guest]

The only guys I can think of that might help are Grosvenor Garage in
Guildford. Their main sales guy Mark Mitchell is a straight and honest
bloke.
http://www.ggg.co.uk/
I worked for the franchised dealer network from 1984 until 1998. These days
I photograph cars, instead. I could write a book about the frustrations of
working in a main dealer........And no, they're definitely not uniformly
competent.
All the best,
Neill W
On 31/8/06 11:58 am, "Steve Rawlinson" wrote:

 

[Guest]

As far as I can remember Grosvenor garage are not agents, they
specialise in Toyota 4x4's. They would certainly be better than a
dealer.
Regards, Clive.

 

[Guest]

That's right. They used to hold the Toyota franchise but were squeezed out
in a dealer shake-up. I think they're Honda and Nissan now, but they still
sell a lot of 'Cruisers and have been at it a long time.
Neill W
On 31/8/06 7:22 pm, "Clive Marks" wrote:

 

[Guest]

Steve,
Did you manage to get your car sorted out?
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Skype: julianvoelcker
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift

 

[Guest]

I did, I'm picking it up this afternoon in fact.
steve
Julian Voelcker wrote:

 

[Guest]

Hi Steve,
Glad you got it sorted.
If you have any technical problems on your trip don't hesitate to drop
me a line directly and I'll forward it to the list for you.
Also, are you monitoring your claranet account whilst away? I'm aiming
to move the list over to web and email based forums in the next couple
of months and will be mailshotting previous subscribers to give them
details.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Skype: julianvoelcker
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift