Hey all! Brand new to Samurai community!

I inherited this '87 from my father who purchased it in arizona maybe 10 years ago. It's been sitting in a garage for the past 7 or so years. I've put new tires on it, since the other were starting to rot away. Also put new spark plugs and a new thermostat in.

I've been trying to drive it as much as possible this summer to get to know the vehicle a little bit better and I've come up with a list of potential problems. I've been looking for forums to get advice and this seems like it's a pretty popular community so here goes!

1. The steering wheel is crooked which make the right blinker not want to turn on. I do hear some rubbing - sounds like it's coming from behind the dash and gauges and it's not the tires rubbing.

2. I think I know the answer to this, but since I only take it on short drives around the neighborhood, I leave it in 2-wheel drive. When turning, there's a click - click - click. I believe that's normal, correct?

3. I've noticed a lot of built up grease around the front left knuckle, which also is on the tire and in the wheel well. Does this sound like I need to rebuild the front axel?

I should mention that I'm not handy when it comes to working on cars, ha.

Is there anyone around the chicago area that owns one?

Thanks for any info!

Ryan

Welcome to the board and having a Suzuki!

1.  When your steering wheel is straight is the pitman arm on the steering box going straight back?  If not you might need to just recenter your steering wheel.  If it is you might have some bent steering components.

2.  Where is the clicking coming from?  If it's in the back you might have a locker making the noise.

3. For the front axle I would probably pick up a rebuild kit from Trail Tough or Low Range.  It's old enough you might want to replace the bearings and all the seals anyway.

Any plans for the rig other then driving around?

Thanks for the reply. I took some videos of what I'm experiencing at the moment.

Here's the rear clicking.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8nuvgxin0v2q5sz/Samurai_Locker.mov?dl=0

And here's the rubbing. Note, this is not the tires rubbing.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y9drfkypjhnvfl4/Samurai_Rubbing.mov?dl=0

No plans as of yet. Would LOVE to restore it - Not off-road it, but a nice little drive around town vehicle.

That clicking really sounds like a u-joint in the driveline is loose.  You might want to replace all 6 u-joints.

Jack shaft between the transmission and transfer case.
Front and rear driveshafts.

As for the rubbing, that is kind of weird.  There isn't anything under the dash, just the steering going through the firewall.  Maybe something in the steering shaft?

Can you jack up the rear axle, put the car in neutral and rotate one of the rear tires?  Do the tires spin in the same direction or spin opposite?

Welcome to the community!  You have a great little rig that would be great to put the burn in your belly for auto repair!  You have a rig that is about as simplistic as they come, if you are interested in learning.