[batty_123]

hey guys, just a half hour ago i picked up my very first suzuki jimny

its a 1998 model G13BB engine JX (no power steering etc) completely bone stock

few questions;

1. this is my first time driving a car with no power steering i assume its meant to feel heavy? The steering seems excessivley heavy on the old girl, just seeing if this was normal.

2. my first proper drive was on the highway home, whilst i dont think i get the "death wobble" the car is all over the road and VERY hard to keep straight. Also any slight bump you hit the car will just sway, feels very unstable! - Again sorry for the newbie questions, i'm in no way complaining about the car just trying to get a feel of whats normal and what i should be considering getting looked at.

3. If i do slight little turns from side to side, when returning steering to straight it has a slight "knock" type of noise and grind through the steering wheel?

Any info would be greatly appreciated guys.

Thanks

[Jezza86]

excessively, no, not really. i drive a desk and my JX has 30x9.5's and i wouldnt call the steering heavy unless im stopped or going extremely slow with flat tyres.

solid front and rear axle, it handles like a commercial vehicle because it has the suspension of one. if the steering isnt self streightening it might be suspension lifted 50mm and the castor is out.

3 is a bit weird, never encountered it. how much play does the steering wheel have. should be 10-30mm at any position. may need to wind in the steering box adjustment a little (14mm spanner, long flat screwdriver)

[batty_123]

thank you for your reply Jezza,

maybe it will just a take while for me to adjust to the whole no power steering thing

the car is completley stock standard IE; no lift, stock HT tyres etc. it's not so much the wheel not straightening it's more the car seems to 'wander' all over the road and require ALOT of attention and effort to keep it somewhat on the straight and narrow. Again, maybe i need re-adjusting to not having the pleasures of power steering.

The steering wheel doesn't seem to have any excessive amount of play (no more than what i would expect from previous cars i've owned) but i will give this a try as it seems easy and non time consuming and see if it helps any.

PS: does any one know good sites for aftermarket accesories for my model?

[Jezza86]

Jimnybits.co.uk

[Gwagensteve]

Sounds like you have some worn steering components, and/suspension bushes. After all, it's a 17 year old car. No, you don't have death wobble. Once you've experienced it, there's never any doubt about what it is because you feel like you are going to die. Immediately- the front of the car feels like it's bouncing off the road.

Check panhard rod bushes, radius arm bushes, steering shaft unis for tightness (they can seize up and cause heavy steering) and wheel alignment.

The steering should be quite light once on the move. There should be no clunks etc. car should track reasonably straight on the highway.

[batty_123]

Thank you to both of you, you have been more than helpful!!

Car is getting my mechanic to go over all the bits and bobs listed above as well as general condition of the cars mechanics so as to ensure i get maximum use of the warranty issued with the car via dealer.

Thanks again,

Noel

[GraphicX]

what tyre pressures are you running ? i think you're meant to run 21psi in the front & 23psi in the rear with stock tyres, i almost lost control of my jimny on the highway with stock tyres as i had 32psi all round when i first bought it.

[Gwagensteve]

That's a good point, but higher tyre pressures should result in light steering.

[batty_123]

Have not checked the pressures as last night was my first night with the old girl.

On my way home from work this afternoon i will have to fuel up anyway (darn dealers gave it to me nearly on E), so i will check pressures and adjust accordingly if need be.

Also i have read conflicting reviews on the need for a Steering Dampner on the Jimnys, just wondering is anyone running one and if you had any advice on weither it should be a route taken or not that would be great. I have searched the forums and still am indecisive as the reviews of pro's and con's are extremley conflicting, is it a matter of "personal preference"? As in, i go and get it done and stiff luck if i believe it doesnt add any value?

Thanks.

[GraphicX]

i fitted a damper to mine & for me it's a big no. i'll be removing mine, it did feel better on the open road (firmer & more sure), but when you cop wind-sheer (either just wind gusts or trucks going past) & the body leans a little it's then transferred through your steering system & is quite unpredictable. i also don't like the way it's squishing all the grease out of my tie rod ends (??) & having it all held at a strange angle of rotation.

edit: also on the G13BB jimny there's pretty well nowhere to fit it without removing your sway bar, there's just no clearance under there with it in, also if you have aircon it'll hit the hoses on full flex (2 other issues i'm experiencing, always hate hitting a bump as it's often banging on stuff).

[batty_123]

Thank you for your input on this matter, it is extremley appreciated, GraphicX.

[Jezza86]

Some people run steering dampeners to fix death wobble. Its like geting chlamydia to hide that you have herpes.

[vet 180]

Jezza86 wrote:

Some people run steering dampeners to fix death wobble. Its like geting chlamydia to hide that you have herpes.

[batty_123]

Hahaha Jezza!! I know where you stand on them now

RE: handling issue - dropped PSI and the car now handles a bit better, i'm also getting more used to the whole no power steering business and am not so fussed about the car at low speeds but anything highway driving related, im convinced the old girl is trying to kill me haha!

Took her out on the weekend for the first time out bush (just a few light - moderate dirt tracks) and she went well, however from the very first time i put the stick into 4H the 4WD green light on my dash kept flashing and never stayed constantly on so there is obviously something wrong here, any ideas? It seemed to be in 4WD and ran really good out bush. No visible split tubes or anything, i had a look underneath.

Thanks, Noel

[GraphicX]

that usually means the vacuum hubs haven't engaged properly i think. a lot of people switch over to manual hubs, personally i like the auto hubs (while they're still working that is).

[batty_123]

alrighty so i guess i had better spend a bit more time properly underneath checking all hoses for leaks or splits.

happy times