[Samurai]

The body works garage is yet to accept my Jeep. Now I am having second thoughts about getting it done this summer. Even if the body work gets over in 3 weeks, if the paint shop delays the paintwork, we might run into monsoon. It would be stupid to paint once the rains start. I don't want to run around without paintwork for the rest of the year.

I am seriously thinking about postponing the body work to early next year.

Meanwhile, the turning radius problem persists. It is really irritating because the turns I could easily do before have all become K turns. All this started after replacing the tie-rod joints. How could this happen?

[Jaggu]

Samu body work if its ok, leave it for now and do it after the monsoon.

Your vehicle steering geometry changes when tie end settings change (turn in), right? Earlier with wrong setting, turn in of wheels would have been more. This can be the reason.

Take model art and practice you will understand better he he

[Alfa_Kilo]

Originally Posted by Samurai

The body works garage is yet to accept my Jeep. Now I am having second thoughts about getting it done this summer. Even if the body work gets over in 3 weeks, if the paint shop delays the paintwork, we might run into monsoon. It would be stupid to paint once the rains start. I don't want to run around without paintwork for the rest of the year.

I am seriously thinking about postponing the body work to early next year.

Meanwhile, the turning radius problem persists. It is really irritating because the turns I could easily do before have all become K turns. All this started after replacing the tie-rod joints. How could this happen?

Did anyone fiddle with the stopper nuts which limit turning angle during the tie rod end replacement?

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Your vehicle steering geometry changes when tie end settings change (turn in), right? Earlier with wrong setting, turn in of wheels would have been more. This can be the reason.

I find it hard to believe that it was wrong settings all this time.

Originally Posted by Alfa_Kilo

Did anyone fiddle with the stopper nuts which limit turning angle during the tie rod end replacement?

Possible, I need to see whether I can change it.

[sudev]

@Samurai: Sounds silly to ask but Is the turning radius same on both sides? You can have perfect steering geometry and alignment even when the turning radius are un equal.

[Alfa_Kilo]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Possible, I need to see whether I can change it.

How much is the difference in the turning radius? Is it a slight increase only? Does the vehicle tend to wander more when cruising on a smooth level highway?

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Sharath - I got your PM. Please note as follows and implement as a checklist in the workshop in Mangalore. You had removed the bell crank lever for replacing its bushes. Please ensure that the intermediate steering connecting rod is centralized during subsequent assembly (this is accessible by removing the long split pin and then tightening or loosening the ball joint spring loaded sockets). Also ensure that by chance the connecting rod is not assembled reversed. The correct position is one where the steering tie rod end of the bell crank lever is pointing slightly towards the LH side (I will try and give you the exact angle shortly as I do not have access to that information at present). Just ensure that the steering gear is central (number of turns lock to lock divided by two) and then start to adjust toe. Do it and let me know. The idea is to centralize things.

NG chassis was done to prevent all such things happening in the vehicles.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[Samurai]

I tested the steering lock-to-lock today afternoon. When I turn the steering to the left, it abruptly locks even before touching the bolt, in fact I can see half inch gap between the stopper bolts. This is the side I am having trouble with. When I turn right, it turns until hitting the stopper bolt.

Behram, I'll take your exact instructions to the mechanic.

[MM440]

Originally Posted by Samurai

The wheel alignment chaps adjusted the toe-in, I have posted the before and after values in the previous post.

However, I am facing a strange issue. I somehow feel that the turning radius has been increased after the tierod joint were changed. I usually can take the Jeep out of my home in a single U turn. However, since two days I need a K turn for the same. Is this something to do with toe-in not settling in yet?

Hi Sharath,
Ask him to check if the steering drop rod is centered.Has the turning radius increased on both sides or one side.
Cheers
Jammy

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Sharath - can you please repeat what are the EXACT things that you did during steering work done recently? What MM440 is saying is true if you had opened the steering gear box and the drop arm has been incorrectly fitted. However, if you confirm that the steering gear box was not opened, then also please check for centre position.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[Samurai]

Steering column bush was replaced, bell crank kit was replaced and all 4 tierod joints were replaced.

[Alfa_Kilo]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I tested the steering lock-to-lock today afternoon. When I turn the steering to the left, it abruptly locks even before touching the bolt, in fact I can see half inch gap between the stopper bolts. This is the side I am having trouble with. When I turn right, it turns until hitting the stopper bolt.

Behram, I'll take your exact instructions to the mechanic.

This sounds like the steering box is hitting its limit before the wheel.
Could you post a pic of the tie rod between the bellcrank and the left wheel. Please include the ends too.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Alfa Kilo - you are absolutely correct.

Dear Sharath - please tell Richie's workshop to check for centralization of parts and correct as per workshop manual instructions, your vehicle will become OK. By the way, who canged the tie rods? Richie's guys will not make such a mistake.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[Samurai]

No, it wasn't the M&M workshop. Since it was a simple task, I gave it to my neighbourhood workshop. He generally does a decent job, this is a little surprising.

Alfa_Kilo, I have posted the bellcrank end of it. I need a wider lens to get the whole part, will do that later.

[Samurai]

I took two more shots with a wider lens. I want to understand this problem clearly before approaching the mechanic.