Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I have a steering wobble when I go faster than 125 km/h.

Normally that isn't a problem as I travel at 120km/h or slower but on some long downhills and when overtaking the wobble shows up and it's unnerving.

It's not a huge wobble but it is irritating and I want to have it sorted.

It shows up ONLY when driving in a straight line, when going around a bend at that speed it almost completely disappears.

The pajero has brand new shocks - it has also received a balance and alignment with the new shocks (per chance this is the 3rd balance job I have done to try and sort the issue)

I have tried putting the fronts on the rears to see if it will help - it made no difference.

I have double and triple checked pressure - currently on 1.7 bar all round but wobbles at 2.2 bar as well - although it may feel a little less if I'm not mistaken.

when i jack up the front suspension and feel the wheels at the 3 oclock and 9 oclock positions I can feel no play whatsoever - all the balljoints' boots are still intact as well.

I also the grab the steering column inside the engine bay and move it by hand while looking at the wheels to feel play but can't feel any.

There are no major dings in the rims at all.

The only thing I can think of is old wheels that has been standing for a while at the dealer before I bought the car and it doesn't show up on the balancing machine but only when loaded on the car???

Any other suggestions to check as I don't feel like shelling out money for a set of wheels that may not be the problem.

The wheels on the car at the moment looks pretty good with lots of tread left - Maxtrek SU-800

Isolate the problem.

It either

• wheels (mags & tyres) or
• suspension / steering

Borrow a set of wheels to check.

PM pajboy - he is in East London and has a Gen3/4?

No reply yet from pajboy. In the meantime I'm gonna take it to TWT and watch as they do it to rule out a buckled rim as all the previous balances were done without me being there.

Hi 4ePikanini

Is there a fitment centre in E.L. that has the steering & suspension testing drive-on equipment? You might try phoning Bruyn Jevon of Jevon's Tyres.

That machine STRESS tests the steering (T/R/E) & suspension (ball joints), which you cannot accomplish as thorough. The minutest of play should show up, if there is a worn component.
If that fails, the next logical step is to have the pitman and idler arms checked for play, due to wear and tear.
The last item on the check list, is the steering column's integrity - especially where it has the swivels joints and connections (usually spline fittings)

I have also undergone a similar exercise to eradicate a persistent play, when steering on slope graded, or side wind-swept road driving. I had new tyres, new rims, new t/r/e's and new ball joints fitted. The idler arm looked as if the previous owner had recently had it serviced/ recon'd, but still, the slightest of play still manifested itself, when driving in the above mentioned road conditions......
I've subsequently come to the last possible item that could cause this fault, as the steering linkage/shaft.

I hope this can give you a hint, in solving your wobble problem.....

Achille ( previously also an East Londoner / Old Selbornian)

Thankx for the heads up. It was actually Jevon's tyres that did the shocks and last balance and alignment. I didn't spot a stress tester there - I have seen one in action on my previous pajero at the roadworthy centre.

Bad news : tyres out of round
Good news : getting BFGoodrich
Bad news : just over R10k - ouch!
Good news : they look awesome!

Maxtrek will be getting a newsletter from me!

fitted







feels like a new car although I'm a bit in two minds over the joy of the new tyres and the R10k pricetag fix!

Hi 4ePikanini
I take it all 5x were replaced for that amount??
I know there was an increase in tyre prices, a few days ago. I opted for the KM2 mud tyres, and am over happy with them. It's an excellent brand, well worth the slight premium paid for them.

Achille

nino62 wrote:Hi 4ePikanini
I take it all 5x were replaced for that amount??
I know there was an increase in tyre prices, a few days ago. I opted for the KM2 mud tyres, and am over happy with them. It's an excellent brand, well worth the slight premium paid for them.

Achille

Unfortunately not - that was for 4 tyres plus new valves and balancing - alignment was done a couple of weeks ago with the shocks. The 15" are almost as expensive and the muds were only a couple hundred more per tyre. I phoned everywhere and got the best price at TWT with a 37% discount

I do have 4x tyres that are slightly out of round plus a bridgestone dueller that is slightly worn on the side as spares if I do go far into the bush.

My finances only allowed 4 this time as I recently put shocks on as well which was a hefty price as well. But will definitely get a spare BFG as soon as I can afford one.