Don't like the adverts?  Click here to remove them

Steering pulling to one side

G

Guest

Guest
Folks
My steering has always pulled slightly to the left. It's not a big deal
- I've lived with it for 6 years - but I've finally decided that I
should do something about it.
The tyre pressures are OK, and the tyre wear is even all round. The
tracking has been checked and is well within tolerance. As far as I know
the body is correctly aligned (there are no signs of accident damage and
it was checked v. carefully before I bought it).
So what is likely to be the cause? And how do I fix it?
Thanks
Christopher Bell
Devon, UK
1996 1HD-FT
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Chris,
Road camber?
Mine does the same thing but it slightly improves when I am driving on
the continent.
--
Rgds,
Roman (London, UK)
'92 HDJ80
On 5/30/07, Christopher Bell <[Email address removed]> wrote:
 
Hi Christopher.
Mine was doing the same thing and I replaced the steering damper .
It did improve but still there a little , down to as Roman says the side
dip on the roads.
I know this because some roads are better than others.
john 92HDJ 80 1HDt
 
Roman

| Road camber?
| Mine does the same thing but it slightly improves when I am driving on
| the continent.
Possible, I suppose. But given that my wheels and suspension are
completely standard I'd have thought that Toyota could do a bit better
than that. I wonder if it is a camber error of the wheels ... but I
have no idea how one would go about correcting that.
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Hi,
My mate has a problem with his brakes not being efficient, we tried all
sorts bleeding, callipers.. no luck.
After fiddling around so much they started to pull to the right side
(opposite to the camber in the road), we swapped just a brake pad around in
the fronts and solved it, might be worth a try to see if they are greasy or
something and pads inefficient on one side.
Just an idea that probably wont work as well :), especially if you had the
problem for 6 years...
Regards
Martin.
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed] [mailto:[Email address removed]] On
Behalf Of Christopher Bell
Sent: 30 May 2007 17:41
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: [ELCO] Steering pulling to one side
Folks
My steering has always pulled slightly to the left. It's not a big deal
- I've lived with it for 6 years - but I've finally decided that I
should do something about it.
The tyre pressures are OK, and the tyre wear is even all round. The
tracking has been checked and is well within tolerance. As far as I know
the body is correctly aligned (there are no signs of accident damage and
it was checked v. carefully before I bought it).
So what is likely to be the cause? And how do I fix it?
Thanks
Christopher Bell
Devon, UK
1996 1HD-FT
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
John
| Mine was doing the same thing and I replaced the steering damper .
| It did improve but still there a little , down to as Roman says the
side
| dip on the roads.
| I know this because some roads are better than others.
I know what you mean about RoI roads!
With mine it is most noticeable on the motorway, where the camber must
be pretty minimal, so I think it's more than that.
I hadn't thought of the damper - I don't get any vibration back through
the steering, so I shouldn't think it is that.
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Don't like the adverts?  Click here to remove them
Martin
|
Martin
| My mate has a problem with his brakes not being efficient, we tried
all
| sorts bleeding, callipers.. no luck.
| After fiddling around so much they started to pull to the right side
| (opposite to the camber in the road), we swapped just a brake pad
around in
| the fronts and solved it, might be worth a try to see if they are
greasy or
| something and pads inefficient on one side.
| Just an idea that probably wont work as well :), especially if you
had the
| problem for 6 years...
I've had my "pull to one side during braking" woes due to pistons
sticking - seriously frightening when you want to stop in a hurry and
find yourself changing lanes without the option. Both front brake
callipers have been replaced, and it now stops in a straight line.
No, the problem is during normal driving, and especially noticeable on
the motorway when I have to keep a small but finite pressure on the
wheel to keep in a straight line.
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Again, as you've had this for six years my suggestion is probably unlikely
but anyway:
It has been known on other vehicles for the return valve of the steering
damper to stick shut. The effect of this is that instead of damping it's
always trying to push one way and this manifests itself as the steering
pulling.
For the sake of the price of a damper it might be worth replacing it just in
case?
Pete
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed] [mailto:[Email address removed]] On
Behalf Of Christopher Bell
Sent: 30 May 2007 16:41
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: [ELCO] Steering pulling to one side
Folks
My steering has always pulled slightly to the left. It's not a big deal
- I've lived with it for 6 years - but I've finally decided that I
should do something about it.
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.3/824 - Release Date: 29/05/2007
13:01
 
Pete
| It has been known on other vehicles for the return valve of the
steering
| damper to stick shut. The effect of this is that instead of damping
it's
| always trying to push one way and this manifests itself as the
steering
| pulling.
|
| For the sake of the price of a damper it might be worth replacing it
just in
| case?
That might explain it. Would it only happen at (or near) dead ahead, or
would it happen over the whole steering range?
If I've understood you correctly then I get a slight pull as the
steering damper fights against the self-centring action, and they cancel
each other out at a small lock.
Could I diagnose this by jacking up the front and seeing if the steering
wanted to move further (ie no self-centring action with no load on the
front axle)?
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Hi Ian,
We did not think it would do anything as well and was shocked(plenty of head
scratching) to find it sorted the issue out.
Might be worth trying anyway as it an easy job, although I admit it probably
won't do anything for you.
Regards
Martin.
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed] [mailto:[Email address removed]] On
Behalf Of Christopher Bell
Sent: 30 May 2007 18:05
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: RE: [ELCO] Steering pulling to one side
Martin
|
Martin
| My mate has a problem with his brakes not being efficient, we tried
all
| sorts bleeding, callipers.. no luck.
| After fiddling around so much they started to pull to the right side
| (opposite to the camber in the road), we swapped just a brake pad
around in
| the fronts and solved it, might be worth a try to see if they are
greasy or
| something and pads inefficient on one side.
| Just an idea that probably wont work as well :), especially if you
had the
| problem for 6 years...
I've had my "pull to one side during braking" woes due to pistons
sticking - seriously frightening when you want to stop in a hurry and
find yourself changing lanes without the option. Both front brake
callipers have been replaced, and it now stops in a straight line.
No, the problem is during normal driving, and especially noticeable on
the motorway when I have to keep a small but finite pressure on the
wheel to keep in a straight line.
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Chris
I also have that feeling but slightly to the right-but not always!!!!!!!
sometimes I find a lonely road with no cars and then without hands on the
wheel it could go straight for very long....So I'm absolutely sure it is
Roman's suggestion in my case...
cheers
Lubo
'96 1HD-FT 4.2TD,252000km
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Bell" <[Email address removed]>
To: <[Email address removed]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 6:49 PM
Subject: RE: [ELCO] Steering pulling to one side
Roman
| Road camber?
| Mine does the same thing but it slightly improves when I am driving on
| the continent.
Possible, I suppose. But given that my wheels and suspension are
completely standard I'd have thought that Toyota could do a bit better
than that. I wonder if it is a camber error of the wheels ... but I
have no idea how one would go about correcting that.
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses

--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.3/824 - Release Date: 29/05/2007
13:01
 
It would push the wheels away in the direction of the damper extending and
yes check by jacking the front end up, turn the steering every which way and
see if it moves back by itself.
Worth a look anyway.
Pete
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed] [mailto:[Email address removed]] On
Behalf Of Christopher Bell
Sent: 30 May 2007 17:22
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: RE: [ELCO] Steering pulling to one side
That might explain it. Would it only happen at (or near) dead ahead, or
would it happen over the whole steering range?
If I've understood you correctly then I get a slight pull as the
steering damper fights against the self-centring action, and they cancel
each other out at a small lock.
Could I diagnose this by jacking up the front and seeing if the steering
wanted to move further (ie no self-centring action with no load on the
front axle)?
CB
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.3/824 - Release Date: 29/05/2007
13:01
 
How is your lean? The LC is known for sagging more on the springs on the
left side over time.
On my 80, when three years old, it had a lean to the left; and after four
years the lean was quite noticable, giving a distinct pull to the left.
As long as I was driving on the right side (and the right being to the
right), it was tolerable, but on dual carriageways, left lane, it would
become a nuisance.
Does this fit your case?
--
Ugo Hu, Oslo, Norway
HDJ100, Auto, AHC, 2001; ex HZJ80
On Wed, 30 May 2007 18:40:52 +0200, Christopher Bell
<[Email address removed]> wrote:
 
Don't know if springs can have that effect on steering but;
It is said that Toyota made the front springs different on the 40 series to
account for road camber, hence 40 series have a habit of leaning,
particularly funny is the idea that all the RHD and LHD models were the same
so the US got springs for a RHD which should ride higher on the RHS, making
it lower on the drivers side - others say it's just years of overweight
drivers sitting in the LHS seat!
Not bothered to check this story with EPC but when you see the camber on
roads in Australia and Africa it's not such a daft idea. CCOT even have a
product to stop lean.
http://coolfj40.stores.yahoo.net/levelerblock.html
Malcolm Bagley
Stafford UK
FJ45 '75 & FJ45 '76
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed] [mailto:[Email address removed]] On
Behalf Of Christopher Bell
Sent: 30 May 2007 17:50
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: RE: [ELCO] Steering pulling to one side
Roman
| Road camber?
| Mine does the same thing but it slightly improves when I am driving on
| the continent.
Possible, I suppose. But given that my wheels and suspension are
completely standard I'd have thought that Toyota could do a bit better
than that. I wonder if it is a camber error of the wheels ... but I
have no idea how one would go about correcting that.
CB
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.3/824 - Release Date: 29/05/2007
13:01
 
Ugo
| How is your lean? The LC is known for sagging more on the springs on
the
| left side over time.
|
| On my 80, when three years old, it had a lean to the left; and after
four
| years the lean was quite noticable, giving a distinct pull to the
left.
| As long as I was driving on the right side (and the right being to the
| right), it was tolerable, but on dual carriageways, left lane, it
would
| become a nuisance.
|
| Does this fit your case?
Yes it does. But why would the left hand side springs sag in the UK
when I (admittedly no light-weight, but far, far short of the
Sumo-standard US driver) sit on the right in this country?
I have to say that sagging springs does seem the best match between
cause and symptoms of all those suggested so far, I'll have to see about
measuring them. So now I have to find a piece of level ground - tricky
in this part of the world...
Thanks for the suggestions everybody.
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Hi Chris
Mine does that from time to time and in my case the left front brake caliper
gets seized - so me and a mate solve it by taking off the wheel and
unseizing it with two crow bars - its works every time - I learnt this
through a very costly purchase from a garage who said that I needed to
replace the whole unit - like a fool I did so and it cost me a small
fortune - I've learnt since its best to rely on what I know and look at all
the options then, by a process of elimination I arrive at the brake
caliper - not always, but often enough, I've done this three times since the
new brake caliper was fitted about 2 and a half years ago. It lasts about
9-10 months then needs to be done again - this way I save loads of money -
and a lot or heartache. I also have the brake pads tested and all the bits
down there that matter, as well as the rest of the braking system -
sometimes they just need a little tweeking and they're okay again. Same for
the steering damper - the other thing is checking the power steering too -
my five euros worth - I'm no expert, not by a long shot, but it seems to
work for me
Cheers
Renate
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed]
[mailto:[Email address removed]]On Behalf Of Christopher Bell
Sent: 30 May 2007 17:41
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: [ELCO] Steering pulling to one side
Folks
My steering has always pulled slightly to the left. It's not a big deal
- I've lived with it for 6 years - but I've finally decided that I
should do something about it.
The tyre pressures are OK, and the tyre wear is even all round. The
tracking has been checked and is well within tolerance. As far as I know
the body is correctly aligned (there are no signs of accident damage and
it was checked v. carefully before I bought it).
So what is likely to be the cause? And how do I fix it?
Thanks
Christopher Bell
Devon, UK
1996 1HD-FT
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Hi Renate
Good to hear from you again
| Mine does that from time to time and in my case the left front brake caliper
| gets seized - so me and a mate solve it by taking off the wheel and
| unseizing it with two crow bars - its works every time - I learnt this
| through a very costly purchase from a garage who said that I needed to
| replace the whole unit - like a fool I did so and it cost me a small
| fortune - I've learnt since its best to rely on what I know and look at all
| the options then, by a process of elimination I arrive at the brake
| caliper - not always, but often enough, I've done this three times since the
| new brake caliper was fitted about 2 and a half years ago. It lasts about
| 9-10 months then needs to be done again - this way I save loads of money -
| and a lot or heartache. I also have the brake pads tested and all the bits
| down there that matter, as well as the rest of the braking system -
| sometimes they just need a little tweeking and they're okay again. Same for
| the steering damper - the other thing is checking the power steering too -
| my five euros worth - I'm no expert, not by a long shot, but it seems to
| work for me
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think it is the brakes though, because I have replaced both front brake callipers in the last three years, and neither had any effect on the steering - only braking. (In my experience the hammering out of brake pistons works in the short term, but they stick again and you only find this out when you stand on the brakes and find yourself moving smartly sideways. Once was enough for me, hence the new callipers, even if they were =A3200+ each.)
per, unsymmetrical springs and some sort of damage to the front suspension. I think I need to jack the front up and do some experimenting & measuring.
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Hi Chris
I currently have a leaning to the left side when steering - seems it wants
to go in the ditch by default! I know its not the brakes this time, so I'm
assuming its the steering - I musing over the possibility that the steering
column has a hairline crack in it(from some particularly reckless
offroading). I know there is a bit of play in the steering anyway, which I
also need to check out. Let me know what you find, because maybe we can
compare notes - as I have to get my little issues sorted out sooner or later
before I next leg it somewhere distant and foreign.
cheers
Renate
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed]
[mailto:[Email address removed]]On Behalf Of Christopher Bell
Sent: 31 May 2007 14:11
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: RE: [ELCO] Steering pulling to one side
Hi Renate
Good to hear from you again
| Mine does that from time to time and in my case the left front brake
caliper
| gets seized - so me and a mate solve it by taking off the wheel and
| unseizing it with two crow bars - its works every time - I learnt this
| through a very costly purchase from a garage who said that I needed to
| replace the whole unit - like a fool I did so and it cost me a small
| fortune - I've learnt since its best to rely on what I know and look at
all
| the options then, by a process of elimination I arrive at the brake
| caliper - not always, but often enough, I've done this three times since
the
| new brake caliper was fitted about 2 and a half years ago. It lasts about
| 9-10 months then needs to be done again - this way I save loads of money -
| and a lot or heartache. I also have the brake pads tested and all the
bits
| down there that matter, as well as the rest of the braking system -
| sometimes they just need a little tweeking and they're okay again. Same
for
| the steering damper - the other thing is checking the power steering too -
| my five euros worth - I'm no expert, not by a long shot, but it seems to
| work for me
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think it is the brakes though, because I
have replaced both front brake callipers in the last three years, and
neither had any effect on the steering - only braking. (In my experience
the hammering out of brake pistons works in the short term, but they stick
again and you only find this out when you stand on the brakes and find
yourself moving smartly sideways. Once was enough for me, hence the new
callipers, even if they were ?200+ each.)
damper, unsymmetrical springs and some sort of damage to the front
suspension. I think I need to jack the front up and do some experimenting &
measuring.
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Renate
| Hi Chris
| I currently have a leaning to the left side when steering - seems it
wants
| to go in the ditch by default! I know its not the brakes this time,
so I'm
| assuming its the steering - I musing over the possibility that the
steering
| column has a hairline crack in it(from some particularly reckless
| offroading). I know there is a bit of play in the steering anyway,
which I
| also need to check out. Let me know what you find, because maybe we
can
| compare notes - as I have to get my little issues sorted out sooner or
later
| before I next leg it somewhere distant and foreign.
Incipient socialism in the factory, that's what I think!
You'll probably find that both our vehicles were built by a be-sandalled
and bearded lentil-eating whale-hugging oriental gentleman with a degree
in Politics from LSE.
Any half-decent forensic mechanic would be able to tell this immediately
just by looking at the winding direction of the springs (echoes of
Flanders & Swan's honeysuckle & bindweed song here).
Seriously though I thought my experience would be unique, but it turns
out to be quite common, which does suggest that sagging springs may have
something to do with it. Another possible explanation on my truck is
that someone incompetent has tried to sort it out before, as the
steering wheel is not centred in the straight ahead position.
I'll let you know if I come up with anything.
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Renate & Chris,
I've just eyed my '94 80 series and there seems to be no appreciable lean at
all. BTW Chris, The song title is Misalliance
TTFN
Chas
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Bell" <[Email address removed]>
To: <[Email address removed]>
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 2:57 PM
Subject: RE: [ELCO] Steering pulling to one side
Renate
Flanders & Swan's honeysuckle & bindweed song here).
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
 
Back
Top