Steering gets stiff when warm

headintheclouds · Feb 11, 2018

Help needed with an X reg 110 TD5 Defender, please.

All is well when cold but after about 20 mins of driving the steering gets stiff when the wheel is turned more than about 20 degrees about any given point. If I were to turn the wheel an amount to the left it would be ok between that point and about 20 degrees to the right. After that it is fairly stiff. Turn to the right and it will go back towards centre by about 20 degrees and then stiffen up again.

Next day all is well again until it has warmed up.

Fluid level is good. Belt seems ok. Universal joints move well.

The 110 has only done about 20,000 miles and it's been fine for the last couple of thousand miles I covered last year, so I think it's unlikely to be worn out. Possibly a seal is on its way out.

Any offers as to the most likely culprit? Box or pump? Tired fluid?

Flossie · Feb 12, 2018

Weird one for sure. Certainly worth changing the fluid for starters.
I wonder if it's sucking in air and the fluid is becoming airated so it's ok when cold (bubbles settled out) but froths up after a time?
Change the fluid I think.

tottot · Feb 12, 2018

+1 on the above,check for frothy fluid after a drive.

Paul D · Feb 12, 2018

+another ... I'd check fluid but also check the fluid pump.

1st though, remove the top of the fluid reservoir, while the engine is running, and have someone move the steering wheel full lock both directions a few times smoothly but quickly, while you simultaneously check the reservoir to see if there's a noticeable difference of flow within the fluid from not turning to turning. probably best to jack the front axle up for free movement of the steering system.

I'd also check all the fluid pipes for joint integrity. A small fluid leak might be a large air intake ...

headintheclouds · Feb 12, 2018

Thanks for the advice. Frustrating that I can't immediately investigate now that It's cold. Will report back next time I've been for a longer drive.

Paul D · Feb 12, 2018

While it's cold, start her up, remove the reservoir cap. You'll then be able to see the difference between cold and hot .. might add another clue, might not, but it has to be worth a try, and gives you something to do ..

headintheclouds · Jan 6, 2019

Update on this. I pumped out as much fluid as I could from the reservoir and replaced with new. Bled some out from the rack. To recap, the vehicle is 18 years old but fewer than 25000 miles. Old fluid was pretty dark. Steering seems better now. Ok on a journey of about 200 miles in each direction. Will have to see what it's like when the weather warms up again.

headintheclouds · Jul 24, 2019

Recent trip of over 1000 miles to Scotland & back. Steering now fine. Seems to suggest that the steering fluid goes off with time and not just with use.

lightning · Jul 25, 2019

I would suggest you drain the fluid completely, or at least change as much as you can of it again.

tottot · Jul 25, 2019

Nice to know you are sorted.

headintheclouds · Jul 25, 2019

lightning said:
I would suggest you drain the fluid completely, or at least change as much as you can of it again.

Sound advice. Already done, thank you.

Steering gets stiff when warm

headintheclouds

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Flossie

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tottot

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Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

headintheclouds

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Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

headintheclouds

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headintheclouds

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lightning

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tottot

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headintheclouds

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