'78 109 Steering issues. need help

wrickm · May 10, 2013

Hi,
I just got my '78 109 LHD Santana, and i had hope i could ease my way into knowing here by doing the little fixes and maintenance. . . .no such luck. The steering is busted. I have driven HMMWV's, 2.5 tons, and other modern and old military vehicles. I say this so that when i say this is busted you believe me. It is all over the road and basically undriveable. I have been looking around the net all days for answers.
Ball joints
Tie rods
Steering box issues
Is there an instructional on steering box replacements someplace I can't find?
Any other things i can try before having to tear into this truck?

any help you more experience landy men can offer is much appreciated. links, anything. . .

oxides · May 11, 2013

I presume it's similar to a series 3? Loads of stuff here pdf Land Rover Manuals | Landroverweb.com

If it's the same as a normal Landy you'll need to look at track rod ends, steering box (there's a play adjustment) , steering relay and (if it's 4wd - wasn't the Santana 2wd?) the swivel ball bearings and bushes. And the wheel bearings.

wrickm · May 11, 2013

Thanks for the manuals. Honestly i must suck at google searching because i couldn't find anything.
A little more info, the truck is a series III with only minor differences between it and a typical 88. This particular one, though, has a 200Tdi swap and LT77/LT230 combo. The steering wasn't modified.

I tried the adjustment nut and that just made it harder to correct the squirrely steering.

I am going to start top down again today and just every moving part , but i have a reeling it is the steering box/relay. Kind of a big job for my first one. . .

oxides · May 11, 2013

Lift up both front wheels and feel for any play. The box isn't too difficult to overhaul if you can find the parts - new boxes seem to be rather dear these days. The relay is simple to replace IF it comes out of the chassis but it's possible to overhaul it in situ. Swivels are fairly easy to overhaul, if a bit involved. Wheel bearings can be adjusted if there's play in them. Track rod ends either come off easily or are a complete pig - you may have to replace the rods. Use copper grease on assembly.

wrickm · May 11, 2013

Thanks for the advice. o far i feel like it is the box, as it seems to be the part not moving when it should be. Tie rod ends seem to be ok.

figure a pic of her so you can see why i am so desperate to get her goin. . .

tom1disco.300 · May 11, 2013

look at the top and bottom swivel bushes and bearings aswell if you can,becuase these things can cause havoc with steering if they are worn,or collapsed! it will snatch from side to side,and there wont realy be a position there where it stays streight,it will just go from left to right and throw you about with no warning atall! check all joints aswell,becuase little things like a worn joint will make the difference,and tracking, oil in the box,loose drop arm,joints, try looking for loose wheel bearings aswell,jack her up and try and wobble the wheel side to side,and top to bottom!

wrickm · May 11, 2013

ok well so far the wheel turn is not really making it out of the steering box. there is almost 1/5th turn slack and the arm on the steering box doesn't move at all. So that is at least a big part of the issue. . .sadly as it seems like the biggest job to replace/repair. Going to try Rovahfarm to see if i can get a used box. I am trying to look at the bushings and the don't have any rattle or looseness, but i need to get a neighbor to help with turning the wheel so i can see how everything is moving together.

wrickm · May 11, 2013

here is another pic of the truck, engine this time. At least i will be learning a lot quickly that hopefully I will be able to pass on later

wrickm · May 14, 2013

So i found the steering issues, play in the wheel from the steering box. Not sure if i will need and inner column or not. Also there is a little too much play in the rod ends between the steering box and relay.

So no problem. . . then the clutch blew up in the LT77. . .

The guy who installed it all thinks the lt230 transfer case selector has popped out. He says that would casue a bunch of noise and disconnect the transmission. . . anyone heard of that before?

wrickm · May 17, 2013

ok for the record tansmissions work better and have greater longevity when filled with transmission oil rather than water. . .

'78 109 Steering issues. need help

wrickm

Active Member

oxides

Well-Known Member

wrickm

Active Member

oxides

Well-Known Member

wrickm

Active Member

tom1disco.300

Active Member

wrickm

Active Member

wrickm

Active Member

wrickm

Active Member

wrickm

Active Member

Similar threads