Steering Arm Klopping Driver's Side Gabriel Safari Shocker

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Any Advice Please

I noticed some white paint on my steering arm which runs just behind the front shocker (Gabriel Safari's)

On closer inspection I can see that the arm (cast iron) is klopping the shocker about 30mm up from the bottom mount, on full left-hand-down articulation. The shocker has a nasty looking gouge in it now (they've only been on 3 months)

The Safari's have a 'waist' but it's very short so the full diameter of the shocker is making contact

Has anybody else had this problem I wonder

Maybe the axle has shifted a little on the shackles

Do you think the cast iron arm would be ok I I ground a 3mm radius on it

It went through wheel alignment just fine, so I'm sceptical about possible axle slippage

Any and all advice welcome please, don't wanna lose the shocker

Many thanks

Rich 8)

[BenHur]

Rich

Under no circumstances should you take any metal off any steering component. Not 100% sure what arm you are referring to, but all the arms and rods are criticl to your safety and can cause a serious accident if they break whereas a broken shock is not that serious. If it is denting the shock can't you simply add a washer behind the shock mounts to move it out of the way slightly?

Some pics would make us understand better.

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Thanks Bennie :)

Thanks for the advice, your right I was not keen to pull out the grinder :roll:

I'll lift it up and take some pics now now

Cheers man


Rich 8)

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Here's a pic

Note the white paint on the cast pivot arm

Anybody got any ideas please

Rich 8)

[BenHur]

Rich try taking the same picture as mine so we can compare.

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Thanks Bennie

Here's a couple of shots to compare

The pivot joint AND the grease nipple are making contact with the shocker, I can move the nipple to the back, but what to do about the pivot joint

Thanks for your help!

Cheers

Rich 8)

[BenHur]

Rich

Something must be bent on yours. It is difficult to see in the photo but that gap is definitely too small there, but I can not figure out why from the pics.

Maybe meet up with someone in your area and compare your vehicles to see what is out of place. Or take it to one of the Hilux specialists in your area who knows these vans well to check it out.

[Andries]

Look at your upper shock mounting and see if it is not bent to the inside facing the engine.

[Sifu-Lux]

Just remebered I posted some pics like that before for CM.

See here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77&start=120&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I also now noticed damage to the Safari shock on my donor parts spare Hilux. Don't know why though.

I'd be interested to see what you find.

[Dadz Toy BFI]

See Bigger Photo

Would help if someone could post me a pic of their Top Mount please :)

Thanks Rich

[BenHur]

Rich the top mount is a fairly rigid structure and I am sure you would be able to notice if it is bent. Compare it's shape to the left hand side one. Maybe the problem is with the shock mounting on top. Try loosening it and see if there are any room for movement there i.e if you can move it towards the outside to get the shock to clear. :? :?

[Dadz Toy BFI]

HELP!!! The Culprit is the joint between the cast steering arm and the rod!!!

We took off the wheel today to get a real good look and found that the joint has too much play and the damage to the shock is being caused by the back square section of the joint (see previous photos please), due to excessive play

Bennie, do you know how to rectify this please

Is it a case of replacing the entire steering rod, or just the joint

Looking forward to your help :!:

Thanks :!:

Rich 8)

[BenHur]

I am not sure if it is serviceable. Hiluxman man an adjustable one for his Lux. I will ask him to pop in here and comment.

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Thanks Bennie

I'll sleep a little heavier tonight :roll:

Rich 8)

[Hiluxman]

Hi Guys

I did the conversion some years ago, we used Isuzu KB tie-rod ends and removed the ball-joints, which have warn away badly because of dirt getting past those silly rubbers (this is in my opinion one of the only weak-points in the SFA Hilux). We used hardened steel for the rod, and threaded it left and right-hand directions for the tie-rods, so now I can actually adjust the "length" of the tie-rod, or the position of the steering wheel without removing the steering wheel from its splines.

In this setup, there is NO play whatsoever, and no need to grease the grease nipples - it is a good solution, and it cost me half of what the Toyota Parts would have cost me.

The tie-rods and the rod we made are "slimmer" than the standard setup, so there is no problems like you have experienced.

I learnt a lesson however, I changed the position of the rear joint from below the arm to above the arm coming from the hub, and that led to vehicle pulling to the left when braking, and to the right when hitting potholes, so dont change the configuration!

I have to run to a meeting now, will post some pics or mail them to interested people!

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Thanks Arthur (and Bennie) :!:

Think I'll copy your solution, sounds like a great solution :D

Looking forward to seeing the pics and tech specs

Thanks mate

Rich 8)