Steering System Diagnoses
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The steering action in a stock Datsun 1200 should be very light. Use the information below to diagnose the problem you are having.
Definition: Diagnoses Plural form of diagnosis
Heavy Steering
- Low tire pressure Inflate tires to recommended pressure
- Wheel Alignment out of spec Perform Wheel alignment
- Dry parts Lubricate Steering System parts and Front Suspension parts
- Frozen Balljoints or strut bearing Replace parts
- Steering Gearbox adjusted too tight Peform Steering Gearbox Adjustment or replace Gearbox if damaged
- Stiction on steering column bearing or bush Lubricate the bearing, or replace the bushing
- Wide tires Your choice. Wide tires will increase steering effort (you'll need to use more muscle to turn the wheel). This is usually only noticed at low speeds, as when trying to park.
- Wrong Wheel offset Wheels offset to the outside will increase steering effort.
Loose Steering
NOTE: Datsun 1200 specification is for 1" play at the steering wheel. The wheel should wiggle back and forth up to 1" while the car is stationary.
Is the steering loose only while the car is moving? Then check the alignment.
- Bad wheel alignment Peform Wheel alignment. Bad wheel alignment causes a variety of surprising behavior
If looseness occurs while car is stationary:
- Worn steering linkage (tie-rod ends, cross-rod, ball joints, or Idler Arm bushings) Inspect and replace worn Steering Linkage parts
- Steering gearbox not fastened securely to subframe Tighten Steering Gearbox bolts to specification
- Idler Arm not fastened securely to subframe Tighten bolts to specification
- Steering gearbox adjustment too loose Perform Steering Gearbox Adjustment procedure
- Front hub wheel bearings are loose Adjust Wheel Bearings to specifications
- Bracket holding the tension rod has broken Inspect bracket and re-weld brackets as necessary
Pull to One Side
- Low tire pressure Inflate all tires to recommended pressure
- Bad wheel alignment Perform Wheel alignment
- Front wheel bearings too tight Adjust Wheel bearings to specification
- Front drum brakes: Unequal brake adjustment Perform Brake Adjustment procedure
- Front disc brakes: Binding or frozen caliper Inspect the Front disc brakes on the side it pulls away from. This side is not working as good as the other side. Lubricate sliding parts or replace frozen caliper
- Bad strut Inspect Strut and replace as needed
- Bent or otherwise damage suspension component Inspect Front Suspension components
Steering Shock
If you feel sharp shocks through the body or steering wheel as you drive...
- Bad wheel alignment Perform Wheel alignment
- Front wheel bearings are adjusted too loose Adjust Wheel bearings to specification
- Worn or loose steering linkage, or ball joints Inspect Steering System parts and Front Suspension parts
- Bent or otherwise damaged Front Suspension parts Inspect Front Suspension parts
- Steering gearbox adjustment very loose Perform Steering Gearbox Adjustment procedure
- Wheel out of balance If the shock increases with road speed, re-balance wheels. A shake in the steering wheel is another symptom of out-of-balance wheels
Double-tap Sound
When you drive over a bump, does the suspension make a double-knock sound?
- Worn-out Idler Arm Replace the Idler Arm plastic bushings