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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
November 2005
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Location:
Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Japan
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: Steering wobble problem - KE55
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Fri, 18 November 2005 20:01
 
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jack it up and see if there is nasty wheel movement
then check if the tie rod ends are worn,
then adjust the steering coloumn
then check if pitman arm and idler arm are worn
definitely check the alignment...first by eye, then get it set properly...
if any parts are worn, they will need to be replaced before alignment is set (or it will have to be done after)
one way to check roughly is to have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth while you watch for where things are loose...
good luck.. it certainly doesn't sound safe 
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
November 2005
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Re: Steering wobble problem - KE55
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Fri, 18 November 2005 22:40
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Hmm ok, where can I get replacement parts and how much am I looking at here?
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Registered:
February 2005
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Re: Steering wobble problem - KE55
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Fri, 18 November 2005 22:50
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Lower control arm may be bent. Happened to a friend in a very similar situation.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
November 2005
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Re: Steering wobble problem - KE55
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Sat, 19 November 2005 03:20
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Checked it out today and it seems like the pitman arm is rooted. For a new one and new idler arm for safetys sake was quoted 125 from Autopro.  Also we discovered my brake lines are stuffed and that will be $80 for the both of them at the front.
Thanks for your help guys, I'll post back here and say if replacing the pitman fixes it or not.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
November 2005
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Re: Steering wobble problem - KE55
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Sun, 20 November 2005 02:34
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Can anyone help me out with the correct torque settings for the pitman and idler arm bolts? Need to know this before I replace the parts and haven't bought a Gregories manual for my car yet - it's a 1978 KE55 Corolla with circular headlights. Thanks!
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Location:
Townsville North Qld
Registered:
June 2003
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 Re: Steering wobble problem - KE55
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Sun, 20 November 2005 02:48
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Pitman arm to steering box - as tight as you can (big bolt, not much chance of threading it)
pitman arm to track rod - make sure its seated properly, and probably about 30 ft-lbs, but it should either be a nylox nut or castle nut with split pin, so it wont come loose. same for the idler arm to track rod.
idler arm to chassis - about 30ish, whatever you can put on with a normal 1/2inch ratchet, without swinging off it.
Ive done these parts in several vehicles, never had them come loose or wear prematurely. Easiest way to get ball joints off is to loosen the nut on the top, and bash the donut that they seat into on the side with a big hammer. There should already be bash marks from where it was done before. Dont hit on the top of the thread, or on the nut, you will stuff it, and be there for hours anyways. even the most corroded ones ive come across working at wreckers come off with about 5 hits of a mini sledge (most come off with about 5 hits of a 32oz ball pein)
Hope this helps, and good luck, KE55's are very good cars, virtually indestructable (my commodore toting brother couldnt even kill the one I built for him after 1 1/2 yrs of mistreatment and neglect)
Cheers, Owen
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
November 2005
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Re: Steering wobble problem - KE55
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Sun, 20 November 2005 04:28
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Lol cheers mate, I'm pretty pleased with it so far, just gotta sort out a few safety/maintenance issues for rego and hopefully she should be sweet!
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
November 2005
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Re: Steering wobble problem - KE55
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Wed, 23 November 2005 11:14
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My friends came over tonight and we installed a new pitman arm, new idler arm and new brake lines. Then we bled the brake fluid and flushed it, followed by topping it up with new fluid. Hooray! Works great now, no more wobbles.
Thanks for all your help guys!
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Registered:
October 2005
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Re: Steering wobble problem - KE55
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Wed, 23 November 2005 11:32
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you can also tighten the steering up a little by loosening the 12mm bolt on the top of the steering box and turning the screw it holds.
Obviously, tighten the bolt and hold the screw at the same time.
Makes a fair difference
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