4.7 GRX WHEEL ALLIGNMENT

[SUPERCARGO]

I have just fitted new shoes (BFG A/T 285/70 R17's) and obviously had the wheel allignment done. It was brought to my attention that, after all the other corrections had been done - (members pls take care to ensure that the correct software is loaded on the allignment pc - first attempt they set me up on the '97 PATROL spec) they told me that they could not set the 'clear view' on the wheel absolutly 100% level. I checked the 'steering' display on the monitor and indeed the setting was exactly -_|_- but the steering whel was about 1 Degree to the right.
The Technical Manager here in Empangeni re-assured me that this correct. Shifting a single spline on the steering collumn would make worse the other way and 'forcing' the steering wheel straight (visual driving 'comfort') would mean tyre wear on the outer shoulder of the left front and on the inner shoulder right front. Not ideal to say the least.
It is apparently not solvabale due to being an import and the set-up is for left hand drive (camber right).
Does anybody have any feedback on this?

[Peter Connan]

I sometimes wonder...

It is a fact that it cannot be adjusted or corrected, but the reasons they gave you are a lot of hogwash.

The only adjustable components on a Patrol's suspension are the tie rod and the hub bearing preloads (which are adjusted by shimming). And that one actually doesn't count, because it doesn't adjust the wheel alignment in any way.

Thus the only thing a wheel alignment shop should adjust is the tie rod, which adjusts only the toe (in or out). All the other values are "fixed".

The steering on a Patrol cosists of the steering column, which connects at one end to the steering wheel and the other to the steering box. The shaft exiting from the steering box (at the bottom) carries the Pitman arm. The Drag link is bolted to the end of the Pitman arm, and the other end of the drag link connects to the left-hand hub. The drag link is the foremost of the two arms running across the vehicle in front of the axle. The tie bar connects the left and right hubs, and runs behind the axle.

The drag link is a single unit and is not adjustable. If it were, this would be the best way to adjust the steering wheel's angle. You will find that id you fit a suspension lift, the misalignment on the steering wheel will increase substantially.

WRT left-and -right hand drive:
1) Japan is RHD, same as us, and so is Australia and lots of the middle east, which are the main markets for the Patrol.
2) If the vehicle is built LHD, the whole setup must change around, and this is not possible with the existing drag link, so a different drag link must be used.

[Jules]

Roelof contact Donald Fisher at Glam Architects 035 - seven8nine65zerozero , he had BFG KM2 fitted, balanced and alligned a month or so ago ask him where he had it done because he was very happy with the results

O yes and BAIE WELKOM to the PATROL FAMILY

O another thing your lorrie is a 4.8 and not a 4.7 , maybe that confused the oaks at the allignment place as well
Shalom
Jules

[SUPERCARGO]

Aan almal van julle... Thanks for the welcome mat!! Maar moet erken ekke bloos mij blou! 4.8 indeed!!!

I know Donald. We have met a few times at Nardus's shop (4X4 Megaworld here in RCB) and he has offered assistance in many forms. Will take up the kind offer on the allignment. By the way the advice on the set-up (or otherwise?) came from Jaco @ Intercity Nissan in Empangeni. Hence my Q&A on the forum? I was not completly convinced.

Have a MUDDYROFFF weekend manne! Tonight is VUURMAAK time! (would love to add a jpeg here but don't know how?)

[Alex Roux]

I also have a slightly off-centre steering wheel which I think started after the chassis lift.
Wheel alignment cannot fix it because the drag link (the foremost of the two arms) cannot adjust like the one behind the front diff.
It also seems to be a common problem.

But does it affect wear on the tires?

[SUPERCARGO]

Good morning Jules. I just had a very nice chat to Donald (thks for the details) and am plsd to hear that me 'off-set' streering is not un-common. Allthough a slight irritation the main thing is tyre wear is not compromised this way.
Next project will be s/s free-flo system. Can't wait!

[Tinus lotz]

Remember to balance and rotate those Km2 every 5000 km to stop heel and toe problems

[ChristoSlang]

The drag link is a single unit and is not adjustable.

Uhm... nobody told Chuck Norris about that!

Blue is for locking/unlocking the adjuster, red's for adjusting. I needed lots of Q10, a few large spanners and a liberal application of heat...

Adjustable drag link

IMAG0130.jpg (86.02 KiB) Viewed 2833 times

[Peter Connan]

Christo, that setup is definately non-standard.

The standard drag link is a one-piece setup, with the ball joint casings welded into the arm.

Now the question is, what ball joint did they use for the mod?

[ChristoSlang]

I must be a very lucky fellow then, because Nissan's ESM explains how to adjust my Patrol's aftermarket drag-link!

Adjustable-fixed standard-aftermarket drag-link...

draglink adjuster.png (51.79 KiB) Viewed 2809 times