Hi there,
new to the forum and wondered if you all might help me out here. I've done a search for this problem and I couldn't find the exact problem anywhere.

Anyway, The problem is:

When turning slightly left it feels like linkage is binding and with a little more turning left it'll suddenly release and oversteer. Sort of feels like a bearing is in a pit and when you turn the bearing jumps out of the pit and turns dramatically. I originally thought that a ball joint was binding but it doesn't seem like it would be a ball joint since it only does this to the left. Reading more the drag link comes up and then reading even more the u-joints come up.

It doesn't do this turning to the right and it doesn't do it if you are going slow and make a left turn. More when you are taking mild corners or changing lanes (slight left turns).

I'd hate to start sinking money/time into this replacing parts that might not need replacing.

thanks for the help...

oh, this is a 92 d250 diesel.

-mike

 

Drag link and U-joints are out, you have a 2wd. It sounds to me like a steering box problem. Does it feel the same with the front tires off the ground?

 

I have the same problem but mine is hard to the right.

Check out the third post.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=52727

A friend of mine at the alignment shop said it's in the steering box control valve for the hydraulics part of the pump. He says the individual seals/parts can't be bought for just the spool valve. He checked out the book for the box (DIESEL DIFFERENT THAN GAS) and a rebuilt box is over $800 Canadian.

 

Steering box timing is off or worn old fluid. The first thing I would try is changing the fluid out of the pump. Use a suction type manual pump, suck out all the fluid, fill with new synthetic fluid, drive it, come back and repeat steps a few times.

This the simplest do-it-yourself fix before you send it to a garage$$$$$$.

 

thanks for the suggestions,
i don't know if this makes a difference but this is a 4wd d250.
so are u-joints/drag link still a potential?
mike

 

If it's a 4wd it's a W250 not a D250 , and yes, the U-joints and drag link can be problems with 4x4's.

 

oops, i totally brain farted on the model number... yes w250. i've been shopping for a d250 this past week and maybe that is on my mind....

do you think the fluid could be an issue still or should i spend my efforts on linkage?

-mike

 

Couldn't hurt to change the fluid. Jack up the front axle and see if you have the binding with the wheels in the air. It does sound like a box problem to me.

 

Mike,
The front axle u-joints aren't hard to check. Just jack up the front and support it with jack stands, make sure the steering column is unlocked, rotate the u-joint so it lines up with the ball joints ( + not X, if that makes sense ) and grab hold of the tire and try turning/steering it. Rotate the axle u-joint 90 degrees and try it again.
I've had a few 4x4s but never had the u-joints freeze up til my 93.
It creates some strange steering problems.

Chris

 

chris,
thanks, i'll try these things tomorrow night. had to finish up and winterize the diesel landcruiser tonight.
-mike

 

Hey mike,
What kind of LandCruiser do you have?
I'm lurking this site because I'm shopping for a 1st Gen CTD truck, but my daily driver is a '82 FJ60 with a Canadian market 3B diesel implant. I'm running mine with a KKK turbo, Audi intercooler, and a 2-1/2" straight through exhaust. I thought long and hard about using a Cummins 4BT, but the Toyo motor was a lot cheaper and easier for me to find (I live right on the Canadian border).
I need a heavier open truck for hauling and towing and I've got a line on a '89 D350 5sp, trying to educate myself before I take the leap!
moT