We have performed large-scale shell model calculations of the Gamow-Teller strength distributions in N $\sim$ Z pf -shell nuclei. These calculations were motivated by the experimental attempts to measure the low-lying GT strength for the even-even N = Z + 2 or N = Z - 2 nuclei ^{46}Ti , ^{50}Cr , ^{54}Fe and ^{62}Ge , where a sizable low-energy GT strength could be interpreted as reminiscence of SU(4) symmetry; in the limit of exact SU(4) symmetry the GT- strength would be concentrated in a single transition to the lowest T = 0, J = 1^+ state in the daughter. We confirm that the SU(4) symmetry is strongly broken by the spin-orbit interaction and by increasing neutron excess.