Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

I use TWAT Toaki CT , many times in the past, no problem, they know me and my truck. I have gone to Johan tyres twice for this case and he could not find the fault, he even drove the vehicle himself...eish. I have a plan now i think

1: Order new steering damper , but do not install yet as i fear it may mask actual problem
2: Check wheel bearings
3: Check Kingpins
3: Replace Panhard Rod Bushes
3: Then fit new steering damper
4: Try run vehicle with someone else's wheels and tyres.....

Don't forget to check the shocks.

Russ,


Do you have aftermarket rims fitted ?

@ Stefan - Shocks are almost 2 yrs old now and feel just as good as the day i got them...

@ Grant - I have "Pro-white" (although sprayed black ) in size 7jj 16" 0-offset, never had problem before in 2 years. Although i have been told that pro-whites are not strong enough for the patrol @ 2.4 Ton stock standard, so mine must be over 2.5 ton unloaded...?

Thanks for all the help and suggestions, it will help i promise.

Russ, two more questions:
1) The last time the wheels were balanced, how were they mounted? Were they mounted on a cone with a single large nut holding them, or were they mounted on fingers with normal wheel nuts? If they were mounted on a cone, get them re-balanced on fingers.

2) I assume you have tried swopping the wheels front to back?

Good luck

Yes, have been on cone and on fingers. TWAT have balanced 3 times and johan tyres have balanced 2 times. We have also rotated the tyre on the rim when too much lead was needed. All tyres show good balance now, however, there is one rim with a very slight hop (ie: up down, NOT left right buckle), but as mentioned all the rim places say it would not be bad enough to affect matters as steel rims are never perfectly round (true) from factory.

So i just checked my front wheels, appears there is some play on the front right (driver side) wheel, which would indicate free-play on the bearing right? There is not alot of play, but when i wiggle the wheel from top to bottom i can feel a small knocking... I did it on the other side (passenger) and nothing at all.

So to adjust this, would i need a lock-nut wrench (the thing with the 2 spikes and a gap in the middle) ? or can it be done without it? If not, where can i get one? Or, lastly, should i just get nissan to adjust the bearing preload for me?

I hope this is the problem, in fact, ill probably have them repack the bearings for me at the same time should i take it to them to do...

Advice on the above please

Russ,Its any easy job - you can get by without the spanner - I have always done it that way (Still waiting for Peter to make me one... ) http://patrol4x4.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2268
Tension it while turning the wheel slowly till there are no play using whatever you have (long nose pliers, screwdriver...)
Have fun

Sorry...

One of these days, I promise.

AWESOME!!! gonna do it this evening!