RR classic steering wanders

Phil Gibbs · Jun 26, 2023

Hi, I’ve a 1973 classic, I can turn the steering wheel from 5 to to 5 past with no effect, all the joints seem ok with no play, and when towing the caravan it feels like I am constantly fighting to keep it straight. Does anyone have any ideas?

kermit_rr · Jun 26, 2023

This will have a steering box, it needs checking and probably adjusting

Datatek · Jun 26, 2023

kermit_rr said:
This will have a steering box, it needs checking and probably adjusting

+1 ^^^^^^^ Back lash in the steering box.

pwood999 · Jun 26, 2023

There a full description of how to strip, rebuild & adjust the steering box in RAVE. This version

Phil Gibbs · Jul 18, 2023

pwood999 said:
There a full description of how to strip, rebuild & adjust the steering box in RAVE. This version

Hi thank you for the r reply
I can’t seem to get the link to work, can you help

johnlad · Jul 18, 2023

Rear trailing arm bushes can induce wander if worn.

pwood999 · Jul 18, 2023

Phil Gibbs said:
Hi thank you for the r reply
I can’t seem to get the link to work, can you help

I gave you access, so you should be able to download now.

300bhp/ton · Jul 18, 2023

Phil Gibbs said:
Hi, I’ve a 1973 classic, I can turn the steering wheel from 5 to to 5 past with no effect, all the joints seem ok with no play, and when towing the caravan it feels like I am constantly fighting to keep it straight. Does anyone have any ideas?

There is possibly more to this.

Does the vehicle drive ok without a caravan on?

Get a friend to help, rock the steering wheel back and forth (steering lock off). Which this is being done crawl under the front and look at all the ball joints and the pitman drop arm. You should be able to see and hear any worn parts. You can also look in from the bonnet too. Placing a finger/hand on the steering box will help you feel if there is slop in there. Also make sure it is actually bolted to the chassis, you'll see it moving if it isn't.

When a steering box wears or has lots of slop, you find you will end up counter steering, but feel like the wheels aren't fully responding to your input. However, I'd expect this to happen with or without a trailer on the back.

Other things to check are the suspension. The axles are attached to the chassis via rubber bushes. At the axle end and at the chassis end. Should these be worn or loose, then you'll get additional movement from the axles causing the vehicle to drive badly. But again, I'd expect this to happen under all driving conditions.

If it truly is only with the caravan on the back. What sort of hitch are you using? Are you using any kind of stabiliser bar or hitch system? What sort of nose weight are you seeing? How much is the back of the vehicle squatting?

Do you have a picture (side on) of the vehicle and caravan hitched? Excessive nose weight will make the front wheels go light when towing. A badly weighted trailer can also push the tow vehicle about.

marjon · Jul 18, 2023

Does the classic have the similar joints in the steering shaft as the P38?
I had steering wander and it was 1 of those joints not the UJ ones .

J

Phil Gibbs · Jul 18, 2023

300bhp/ton said:
There is possibly more to this.

Does the vehicle drive ok without a caravan on?

Get a friend to help, rock the steering wheel back and forth (steering lock off). Which this is being done crawl under the front and look at all the ball joints and the pitman drop arm. You should be able to see and hear any worn parts. You can also look in from the bonnet too. Placing a finger/hand on the steering box will help you feel if there is slop in there. Also make sure it is actually bolted to the chassis, you'll see it moving if it isn't.

When a steering box wears or has lots of slop, you find you will end up counter steering, but feel like the wheels aren't fully responding to your input. However, I'd expect this to happen with or without a trailer on the back.

Other things to check are the suspension. The axles are attached to the chassis via rubber bushes. At the axle end and at the chassis end. Should these be worn or loose, then you'll get additional movement from the axles causing the vehicle to drive badly. But again, I'd expect this to happen under all driving conditions.

If it truly is only with the caravan on the back. What sort of hitch are you using? Are you using any kind of stabiliser bar or hitch system? What sort of nose weight are you seeing? How much is the back of the vehicle squatting?

Do you have a picture (side on) of the vehicle and caravan hitched? Excessive nose weight will make the front wheels go light when towing. A badly weighted trailer can also push the tow vehicle about.

Thank you for your help, the problem seems to be exaggerated when caravan on back Alko stabiliser with the Alko anti snake.
Been caravaning for a long while, I only tow with classic when going to events. Other than that tow with L405 and can forget the caravans on the back

kermit_rr · Jul 18, 2023

is the boge strut working?

Datatek · Jul 18, 2023

Phil Gibbs said:
Thank you for your help, the problem seems to be exaggerated when caravan on back Alko stabiliser with the Alko anti snake.
Been caravaning for a long while, I only tow with classic when going to events. Other than that tow with L405 and can forget the caravans on the back

It maybe my eyes, but the Classic does look a bit light at the front. Have you checked the nose weight?

Ratae · Jul 18, 2023

Datatek said:
It maybe my eyes, but the Classic does look a bit light at the front. Have you checked the nose weight?

My thoughts too.
If the Boge self levelling unit has failed then the rear won't self level. Don't forget the car needs to be driven for the Boge to pump up.
They're no longer available although Kingsley list remanufactured units, but at 2k +VAT you're probably better fitting Disco 1 rear springs.
Don't go too mad as the Disco HD ones are excellent fully laden & towing but will have your fillings out empty & solo!

Also the caravan hitch may be a bit low depending on what towbar setup you've got on the car & you may benefit from having the ball lowered to the same height as the caravan hitch.
Something I see on twin axle trailers/caravans - my own caravan was twin axle & my boat trailer is twin axle.
My Classic's got the Dixon Bate so the ball height is easily adjustable.

Also check the steering box as already described.
Get someone to watch the steering box drop arm as you turn the wheel (or vice versa) as this will help to see if the play is in the box.

kermit_rr · Jul 18, 2023

The boge can leak, though not expressly common. They are fairly simple, could be easy enough to fit with new seals?

Ratae · Jul 19, 2023

Uses fluid and gas & is under high pressure.
Someone did try with the Defender one in conjunction with a citroen suspension specialist but it didn't work out: https://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/77667-self-leveling-unit-repair/#comments

Might be of interest: www.rangerovers.net/threads/boge-self-leveling-unit-rebuilder.239090/

South African conversion to a coil spring: www.landyonline.co.za/techtalk/range-rover-boge-to-coil-conversion.htm

kermit_rr · Jul 19, 2023

Didn't know they were pressurised! Watched a video years ago, no mention of that!! Though i suppose it was more around the theory of operation, you'd think they'd mention pressure!!

Ratae · Jul 19, 2023

Removal section in my factory manual starts with a warning in bold type that the unit is pressurised, must not be dismantled and repair is by replacement of the complete unit.

Issue with twin axle stuff is that they're heavy & like to sit level & unlike the smaller single axles you can't really have the front end high to suit a high towball.
On the plus side I find they're much nicer to tow than single axles & you don't get the snake when the National Express coaches pass you on the motorway at warp 9.
You can't push them around by hand as you can with a single axle so it's either move it with the vehicle or motor movers - the best of which act on the wheels & on twins an option is a unit for each wheel although two driven wheels works fine.

RR classic steering wanders

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