[macguyverjimny]

Hi guys,

Have anyone experienced steering play on their jimny, ?

I am running 215 75 R15 on my 2009 jimny vvt,

Some play are clearly noteable,

But i dont have a steering stabilizer,

Still standard suspention,

Any ideas how to fix this?


Thank you

[tanshi]

define "play"

[macguyverjimny]

The steering wheel can move a little left and right without actually turning the wheels, this is not normal, when i did the wheel allignment, the guy at the tire fitment centre had trouble to centre the steering wheel and said there is some play in my jimny's steering,

When the vehicle is stationary it can be easily felt ,

thank you.

[tanshi]

there is an adjustment nut on top of the steeringbox. i would advise getting a mech to look at it.

[macguyverjimny]

Thank you,

[Mike57]

I also have a 2009 model and noticed the same issue. The power steering box is not adjustable. When I shimmed my king pins I also fixed the steering play. I suspect the play is in the king pin bearings. Get someone to turn the wheel from side to side while observing the pitman arm to work out where the play is coming from.

[macguyverjimny]

Thank you .


Was this a costly issue to fix,?

[Mike57]

If you can do the work yourself then it won't cost much. It cost me about $12 for the shims from Big Jimny as I recall (check their web site), about $6 for the cheap spring balance plus I had to buy the tool to break open the steering ball joints which was about $25 from Supercheap and I think that was about it. Suzuki dealer wanted north of $500 to do it for me and I don't think they would have done it with as much care.

[macguyverjimny]

Can the play get worse?

Thank you for the details .

[Mike57]

My car has done less than 20,000 km and so in my case I did not notice any worsening. I expect that over time the king pin bearings are going to get a hammering from off road use and so the play in these will get worse. If they are indeed the source of your steering play then I would say yes. Do you have any steering wobble at all? Best way to work it out as I mentioned is to get underneath and observe what's happening.

[macguyverjimny]

I think i do have a small wobble at 60-80 km/h where the steering wheel wobble an vibrate, but the allognment of the car is quite off , it steers towards the left side and then the ugly play on the steering that irritates me, have a dash rattle aswell that i cant find. lol

anyway still loves my jimny

Will have to get it fixed sooner or later.

[Mike57]

Shim the king pins before you get the alignment done. Get the front wheels balanced as well and ask for balancing to a 0/0 state.

[macguyverjimny]

Hi guys,

I think i sort of know where my problem lies,

I will have to find someone to look at the stearing box, or look at it myself.

Oem parts might be expensive .

When i turn the steering wheel slightly to theleft and right, then i can see the "ball joint " as on the pic, and i hear a clicking sound, there is then no movement on the wheels or the steering rods, then a clicking sound is heard when you move the steering wheel from left to right in the little movement as what i refer to as the "play",the universals seems fine, aswell the stearing rods ect.

Please see the pics, excuse the mud and the low quality.

I will get the assembly drawings of the steering box to see for a more detail understanding of everything.

It is as if there is "backlash" or steering play on the steering box.

This is on a vvt jimny 2009 with around 65000 km's on the clock.

I would love to get this sorted.

Thank you.

[Mike57]

Is it the universal joint possinly slipping on the spline or is it definitely witjin the box itself I would be interested to know of there is any adjustment possible with this box and also how iti constructed.

[macguyverjimny]

Definitely inside the box, sound like essesive wear, i checked it while the engine was running, the joints are solid and seems in order, it looks like if the problem lies somewhere ,where the shaft entry the box, will try to get drawings, dont want to go the dealer route though.

Thank you for your interest.