What suspension components to replace

[tez]

Hi all,

Im just after opinions as to what suspension components I should look at replacing to cure the wandering that my Pajero has.

Common ones seem to be idler arm, tie rods, ball joints, trailing arm bushes etc.
I took the car to Pedders for a suspension check and Im not convinced they have it all right. What they noted on the check for things to replace are:

- Front / Rear shocks
- Front Sway bar bushes
- Rear spring dampers
- Trailing arm bushes
- Pan hard rod bushes / mounting

My aim is to replace worm items but obviously its a costly excercise. My first aim is to try and improve the wandering steering feel.

What should I be looking at first?

Thanks

[knakkers]

Hi all,

Im just after opinions as to what suspension components I should look at replacing to cure the wandering that my Pajero has.

Common ones seem to be idler arm, tie rods, ball joints, trailing arm bushes etc.
I took the car to Pedders for a suspension check and Im not convinced they have it all right. What they noted on the check for things to replace are:

- Front / Rear shocks
- Front Sway bar bushes
- Rear spring dampers
- Trailing arm bushes
- Pan hard rod bushes / mounting

My aim is to replace worm items but obviously its a costly excercise. My first aim is to try and improve the wandering steering feel.

What should I be looking at first?

Thanks

My NJ Pajero is also having a wandering problem, same as you, pedders told me to replace some as the same parts as you have listed, as well as the steering box. It's hard to know where to start.
please let me know if you work it out, I will do the same

[m1s3ry]

Maybe upper and lower ball joints too, if they are worn and you can't get grease into them they can stick and hold the wheels in a certain direction.

[nj swb]

Hi all,

Im just after opinions as to what suspension components I should look at replacing to cure the wandering that my Pajero has.

Common ones seem to be idler arm, tie rods, ball joints, trailing arm bushes etc.
I took the car to Pedders for a suspension check and Im not convinced they have it all right. What they noted on the check for things to replace are:

- Front / Rear shocks
- Front Sway bar bushes
- Rear spring dampers
- Trailing arm bushes
- Pan hard rod bushes / mounting

My aim is to replace worm items but obviously its a costly excercise. My first aim is to try and improve the wandering steering feel.

What should I be looking at first?

Thanks

First, I'd be looking somewhere other than Pedders. Front sway bar bushes? Take the farkin' thing off if you like - it won't affect your steering (handling, yes - steering wander? )

What's the different between rear shocks and rear spring dampers?

Before we go too far, I'd like to know if you're running factory wheels or something aftermarket?

OK - what to look at? Loose balljoints (steering or suspension) can cause wandering - if these are an issue a mechanic should be able to show you the movement in them. If they can't show you the movement, don't accept that they need replacing.

Rear control arm bushes will make the rear end wander (Range Rovers are notorious for it), so they could be correct here. Start by checking the nuts securing the control arms at the chassis end - if these come loose the arms can move forward and back, so tightening them is a quick fix. If the bushes IN the control arms are worn they'll need to be pressed out/in.

For the last 5 years I've been taking my Paj to TyrePower stores - find one which does good trade in 4wd tyres, and get them to have a look at it.

Good luck,

Scott

[Lambie]

Shocks ? how many km's have they done ? can affect handling if absolutely buggered but wandering ?? Rear end bushes on a Paj? I reckon my panhard arm bushes are on the way out (rear axel moves side to side a bit now) but my NJ doesnt wander much at all for a 4by.

It did wander - replaced the idler arm (@ 130,000km) tightened the steering box, and got rid of some crap tyres and now it is quite acceptable.

Replace the cheap things first that can be demonstrated as being faulty (ie excessive movement - beyond acceptable service limits - idler or pitman arm or upper or/and lower ball joints etc).

DONT replace every thing at the same time - if you do you will have no clear idea which bit was actually causing the problem!!!

Being a slab sided vehicle - cross winds make every thing worse as far as wandering is concerned.

Good luck ! Mine (NJ GLX at 130,00km) was crap but now is quite a relaxing drive !!
Lambie

[6G74]

What's the different between rear shocks and rear spring dampers?

I think they would be refering to the 'dampner' type thing that sits in the rear coils - for when it bottoms out so its a bit more progressive i spose. Mine are nackered too, at $150 each its not on my list of things to do... but yet again would have no impact on a car wandering.

[paj862]

The best place to start would be to check the balljoints tierod ends idler arm and pitman arm. I had a bad wandering problem with my nh, if you hit a small puddle it would just about change lanes, i replaced all of the above and now if it hits a puddle you hardly notice. To check the lower ball joints place your jack under the lower control arm out near the wheel, to get the weight off the wheel but not allow the arm to drop, once the wheel is off the ground place a lever under the tyre and lift it up to feel for any movement up and down, but make sure that any movement felt is not in the wheel bearing, if in doubt get someone else to look while you move the wheel. The top ball joint is checked by rocking the top of the wheel in and out while still on the jack. As for the tie rod ends, pitman arm and idler arm the easiest way to check them is with both wheels on the ground get someone to rock the steering from side to side, in the freeplay with the engine of so there is no power assistance, just look under the front and you will be able to see if there is any excessive movement in anything. Something else that also causes wandering is excessive sector shaft freeplay, in the steering box, checked by the same method as the tierod ends but when checking hold the pitman arm while your helper is rocking the steering wheel and feel for any looseness in the box. the rear trailing arm bushes can also produce a wander but it is less likely than the front end i hope i have been some help

[mrbitchi]

Do yourself a favour and find a suspension shop that knows what they're talking about.