Steering Problem Symptoms Advice

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Al2O3

Well-Known Member
Full Member
Posts
11,023
Location
North of the Wall
The Mrs uses the Land for her daily commute. A few weeks ago she reported the steering getting a bit wayward. I took it for a short blast and agreed. Adjusted the box and after another trip up the road it felt better and Mrs agreed. Last weekend she said it was getting worse again and so I checked it, agreed and adjusted it again. By now I'm thinking I'll probably be forking out for a new box soon. Today I took the landy to work as I needed to use the trailer to pick some stuff up. Steering felt wayward and I was disappointed cos steering boxes ain't cheap. :( About half way to work I started to detect a bit of bounce feedback through the brake pedal. On the return journey the brake pedal bounce was very noticeable. :eek:
What do you think these symptoms show, worn swivel pins? Haven't had to change them before, so not sure.
 
Jack up wheel
Hands at 12&3 shake,any play wheel bearing

Hands at 6&12 shake,any play swivel pins. Remove 2 bolts off the top & below brake pipe look to see if there are any shims remove 1 and recheck.

You may have play in any of the 4 track rod ends.get someone to Wiggle steering left to right and check them all.
 
Assuming that you have Raiko bushes as opposed to taper rollers, I'd bet on the swivel pins because of the brake symptom. If they're that bad, don't bother trying to re-shim them.
 
The Mrs uses the Land for her daily commute. A few weeks ago she reported the steering getting a bit wayward. I took it for a short blast and agreed. Adjusted the box and after another trip up the road it felt better and Mrs agreed. Last weekend she said it was getting worse again and so I checked it, agreed and adjusted it again. By now I'm thinking I'll probably be forking out for a new box soon. Today I took the landy to work as I needed to use the trailer to pick some stuff up. Steering felt wayward and I was disappointed cos steering boxes ain't cheap. :( About half way to work I started to detect a bit of bounce feedback through the brake pedal. On the return journey the brake pedal bounce was very noticeable. :eek:
What do you think these symptoms show, worn swivel pins? Haven't had to change them before, so not sure.
feed back through brakes is usually wheel brg
 
Jack up wheel
Hands at 12&3 shake,any play wheel bearing

Hands at 6&12 shake,any play swivel pins. Remove 2 bolts off the top & below brake pipe look to see if there are any shims remove 1 and recheck.

You may have play in any of the 4 track rod ends.get someone to Wiggle steering left to right and check them all.
Cheers, I'll be giving that a go on Saturday morning. Friday night is red wine night ;)

Assuming that you have Raiko bushes as opposed to taper rollers, I'd bet on the swivel pins because of the brake symptom. If they're that bad, don't bother trying to re-shim them.
Pins were my first thought.

feed back through brakes is usually wheel brg
Like the sound of that. Bit less work :)

I bow to James's experience - I've never had a wheel bearing get that bad.
I've never had a wheel bearing go on the landy! There's no noise, that I can hear. The feedback through the brake has come on very quickly, just today within 40 miles. Is that normal James?
 
Cheers, I'll be giving that a go on Saturday morning. Friday night is red wine night ;)


Pins were my first thought.


Like the sound of that. Bit less work :)


I've never had a wheel bearing go on the landy! There's no noise, that I can hear. The feedback through the brake has come on very quickly, just today within 40 miles. Is that normal James?
often, but apart from checking that ,hold both track rod and drag link in turn whilst someone rocks steering wheel vigorously ,you can learn to feel were play lies
 
often, but apart from checking that ,hold both track rod and drag link in turn whilst someone rocks steering wheel vigorously ,you can learn to feel were play lies
Good plan, will do. :)
The Mrs can use the C1 for work tomorrow. I'm marshalling on a half marathon fell run tomorrow. My position is way off road up in some woods, about 8 miles from home. It'll be alright for that on Sunday, won't it? Would it be worth trying to nip the bearing up a bit? :rolleyes:
 
Good plan, will do. :)
The Mrs can use the C1 for work tomorrow. I'm marshalling on a half marathon fell run tomorrow. My position is way off road up in some woods, about 8 miles from home. It'll be alright for that on Sunday, won't it? Would it be worth trying to nip the bearing up a bit? :rolleyes:
depends how much play a little will run ok too much needs nipping up,unless brgs are worn
 
5 mins job to check all joints.
15 mins nip wheel bearing up
Peace of mind all day
Only drink 1/2 the amount of Friday Red wine & all will be fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 8ha
depends how much play a little will run ok too much needs nipping up,unless brgs are worn
Cheers, James. The local independent doesn't open on Saturday mornings anymore, so will struggle to get bearings for this weekend. I'll check it out on Saturday morning and nip up if I can. Order bearings (and or pins) on Saturday or Monday. Many thanks. :)
 
Check your track rod ends and the drop arm ball joint aswell - I had a similar symptom and it was a combo of worn drop arm ball joint and a slightly diff wheel bearing. Changed the ball joint and re-did the bearing and order was restored
 
Panhard bushes are another option for vague steering and worth a look although they shouldn't affect the brakes (you may have two snags)
 
Check your track rod ends and the drop arm ball joint aswell - I had a similar symptom and it was a combo of worn drop arm ball joint and a slightly diff wheel bearing. Changed the ball joint and re-did the bearing and order was restored
Panhard bushes are another option for vague steering and worth a look although they shouldn't affect the brakes (you may have two snags)
Ok gents. Had the front up on axle stands and the conclusion is: small amount of play on offside wheel bearing, small amount of play in the drop arm ball, small amount of play in the nearside swivel pins.
Thought right, I'll investigate the wheel bearing. Can't undo the wheel nuts. :oops: Had a 30" breaker bar on and still no good. I've obviously not had the wheels off since I bought the new BFG's and they must have been over tightened with the windy gun :mad: My lovely, orange, two and a quarter ton AA trolley jack broke :mad: It's below freezing with light snow, so I thought stuff it and packed up :rolleyes:
 
At least you know what parts to order.
& time to find a longer breaker bar;)
That's what I thought, just before I packed up. I'll order them this weekend. See if I can get a kit for the wheel bearings with Timken bearings in them. I need to investigate quality makes of swivel pins and bearings.
Think I'll take the Landy to my local, friendly indie and get them to rattle the nuts off and tighten them to the proper torque so I can get them off at home. :rolleyes:
 
That's why I like standard LR rims. Can nip up wheel bearings without removing wheels;)
Blue box does not have any name on the swivel bearings. But the kit has everything(seals,one shot, pins& shims
Also there are a few types of swivel pins fit the 300tdiLR.
Don't forget shims if you don't buy as a kit
I'm lucky I have 2 bearing shops where I just say Landrover & they happily have the good stuff.
 
That's why I like standard LR rims. Can nip up wheel bearings without removing wheels;)
Blue box does not have any name on the swivel bearings. But the kit has everything(seals,one shot, pins& shims
Also there are a few types of swivel pins fit the 300tdiLR.
Don't forget shims if you don't buy as a kit
I'm lucky I have 2 bearing shops where I just say Landrover & they happily have the good stuff.
Ha, ha nothing is straight forward. I'll have to do the mind boggling chassis number faff on to try and find the right pins.
Living where I do, there are very few shops. Never mind bearing shops!!!!!! :eek: :)
 
I thought I brought the right pins until I tried to fit them on a Saturday morning. Had to pedal back to the shop. Luckily he had a selection on the shelf.
good luck
 
Back
Top