hilux rn105 power steering problems

[Hellbilly]

bought an old rn105 91 model some one {previous owner} has messed with it a fair bit ,trying to figure some stuff out, has wandering steering problem, has fluid leak out back of pwr steer pump opposite side to high pressure outlet, and front section of power steering box, seems to have been changed as there is 2punch/line up marks on the in let/outlet housing but not on front /round housing, suggesting a part steering box change .went to a wrecker to look at a steering box they said would suit but steel in/out lines were in different position ,so no go, put new drag link,and rtc steering damper on it, still the same ,wandering,heart failure at price of new steering box...any info from hilux gurus would be real appreciated

 

[SFA hilux]

Hey Mate, can’t really help with the steering box leak sorry.
As far as wandering goes, I’m on my second SFA Hilux and they both wander a bit.
The best way to diagnose is to get someone to sit in the car and move the steering wheel side to side while you look at all the steering parts for excess play.
there’s an adjustment on the steering box, I’ve never touched it though.
If you’ve just done the draglink you would know that there supposed to be tightened all the way in and then backed off 1 1/2 turns, seems a lot and I’m sure that makes it wander a bit but I think it is wise to leave that play in there so as to not bind up under flex and bend/ brake the j arm.
The J arms are know for breaking under flex.
You can do a high steer conversion which apparently makes Hilux steering a lot better and more reliable and allows more flex, but you can’t engineer it.
Obviously if you have big lift and big tyres you going to get some wandering. Also your leaf spring bush condition will make a difference too.
Pretty general but hope that helps.

 

[Hellbilly]

thanks for the info,just bought second hand pwr. steer. pump. and box ,will do a re fit and try that, tie rods are new knuckle and wheel bearings new no steering column play so only leaf spring bushes to go ,wrecker said he had never seen a p.s.pump leak out the back before witch turns out to be the flow control valve .hope this works

 

[CaptainBanana]

thanks for the info,just bought second hand pwr. steer. pump. and box ,will do a re fit and try that, tie rods are new knuckle and wheel bearings new no steering column play so only leaf spring bushes to go ,wrecker said he had never seen a p.s.pump leak out the back before witch turns out to be the flow control valve .hope this works

Has it got lift? How's alignment? Castor specifically. Rear bushes matter especially under throttle but no do much at cruise. Has it got bigger offset wheels? Tyre width vs rim width? So many contributing factors.

Have you taken it to the likes of a pedders? Even if you don't like their business; for very very little money they will put it up on the hoist and give you a list of every single possible worn out piece.

 

[Rusty Panels]

Regarding the wandering I agree with having it checked by an expert. Replacing steering components is pretty simple but you have to be careful when it comes to making adjustments. If there is an adjustment on the steering box as many older vehicles have it will remove excess play in the box but, if you don't adjust it correctly you can cause safety issues that don't show up till you're into a corner. I didn't see a mention of your tyres, some can cause steering issues depending on their age, composition and wear. Are they all the same brand and tread pattern? Try swapping the rears to the front. Maybe you know someone with a Lux that you can swap wheels with to try it out. If it fixes it you could save yourself some headaches.

 

[Hellbilly]

being a hellbilly I don't get near a computer much ,but here,s an update , found the previous owner,{knob} put draglink assy on wrong and had one front wheel different offset to 3 others not that visible to eye, but I changed all 4 with new wheels 15 x8 -23 geko sunnies with 15 x10.5 31 Hankook mts, not very big ,and only 2 inch lift. getting power steer box rebuild as we speak ,ready early next week then get new wheel align and geometry check at steering shop in town ,one of the main troubles I have is we live in a small q.l.d. country town and as much as we love it every time I need something for cars ,bikes mowers or tools it requires a trip to big town ours has a pub ,2 take away s ,post office, and a friendly grocer ,even trips to nearby wreckers are over 100 kms and running around in a Pajero v6 starts to hit the wallet, [that's why I bought 22r hilux ] any way......thanks for your input lads I will keep ya,s posted when I can and may your chillies be as hot as your woman and your woman as hot as your chillies

 

[SFA hilux]

Sounds like you’ll have it sorted in a week or so!
Taking to professionals for a wheel align is a good idea I agree, but.
If you tight like me I wouldn’t bother, they can only adjust you toe in/out. Anything more than that means pulling the swivel hubs apart and putting in offset king pin bearing or shimming you diff angle at the leaf springs. Things that your probably not going to do anyway, unless it’s real bad.
I took my last SFA Hilux to get a wheel align and they asked me why I’m bothering.
Since then I check it my self.
With you wheels straightjack the front up and take you wheels off.
clamp a straight edge (eg 1200mm spirit level) to each disc.
Mark the straight edge at a certain length (I think i did mine at 914mm but you’ll have to check these measurements.) then measure front and back, and adjust you tie rod bar till it’s right. Again I think I did mine 3.1mm shorter measurement at the front but you’ll need to look that up.
Hope it goes well and your back on the road soon.

 

[Rusty Panels]

I must agree about the wheel alignment. It's such a simple job and the laser gear these blokes use doesn't lie. But, I haven't had a decent wheel alignment done in years.
I've put new rubber on a couple of cars in recent times and spent reasonable money on them (I never buy crap tyres). The tyre blokes have insisted that the wheel alignment needs checking, so I gave in and let them do it.
Long story short, stuffed tyres in no time. No kerbs were hit, no potholes struck, nothing touched the tyre other than the road surface (all bitumen highway) but they scrubbed out. Whether these blokes don't give a rat's or their incompetent or they're going by the wrong figures in their Bible or whatever it is, it's not worth having them do it.
I have just been adjusting toe in or out if there are signs of it needing it. So far I'm getting pretty even wear on both cars.