Steering problem

buffers · Jul 31, 2019

Hi everyone, I have a defender 90 td5 1999 t reg with a steering issue, When I steer to the left she pulls violently to the right with heavy steering, also at slow speed a turn to the left gives a loud clonk on full lock as though something has stretched and returned, at low speed in a straight line she appears ok with no rumbles or noise, clonk appears to be coming from drivers right front . There was play in the steering wheel so I have replaced steering box and steering damper all to no avail. have checked everything underneath and all seems ok, nothing loose and joints ok. Would appreciate any ideas or help, Many thanks

Disco1BFG · Jul 31, 2019

If you have indeed checked everything at the front, then I'd suggest you start looking at the rear, as, for the vehicle to go the opposite way to the direction intended points to something quite seriously out of whack - and quite possibly dangerous

tottot · Jul 31, 2019

It needs two for a proper check, one to waggle the steering [do it fast and slow with engine on ] and someone to look at every trackrod end, each swivel housing, wheel bearing, steering box output arm, little UJ's on steering column, panhard rod bush's.

Rougharse Racing · Jul 31, 2019

Worn pahnard rod bushes st he front can cause steering issues, as can worn trailing arm to chassis bushes.
Worn trailing arm to chassis bushes at the rear can cause unintentional rear steer issues when you come off the power.
Jack the front wheels off the ground and check for play in the swivel bearings.

buffers · Jul 31, 2019

Disco1BFG said:
If you have indeed checked everything at the front, then I'd suggest you start looking at the rear, as, for the vehicle to go the opposite way to the direction intended points to something quite seriously out of whack - and quite possibly dangerous

Hi , Many thanks did have a half chassis fitted around 18 months ago, so may need to get it on a ramp to investigate , would the a frame at rear cause any steering issues, thanks

Disco1BFG · Jul 31, 2019

What sort of maintenance regime have you

buffers said:
Hi , Many thanks did have a half chassis fitted around 18 months ago, so may need to get it on a ramp to investigate , would the a frame at rear cause any steering issues, thanks

If it's bad enough, then yes - but it would have to seriously bad to cause what you describe ( think more or less missing

)

Have you looked at the stuff mentioned in posts #3 & #4 - everything mentioned is well worth checking....

buffers · Jul 31, 2019

tottot said:
It needs two for a proper check, one to waggle the steering [do it fast and slow with engine on ] and someone to look at every trackrod end, each swivel housing, wheel bearing, steering box output arm, little UJ's on steering column, panhard rod bush's.

Hi thanks, uj's ok and new drop arm fitted , will check others, cheers

buffers · Jul 31, 2019

Rougharse Racing said:
Worn pahnard rod bushes st he front can cause steering issues, as can worn trailing arm to chassis bushes.
Worn trailing arm to chassis bushes at the rear can cause unintentional rear steer issues when you come off the power.
Jack the front wheels off the ground and check for play in the swivel bearings.

Thanks, will check those out

Rougharse Racing · Jul 31, 2019

The A-frame is less likely to cause an issue. the big ball joint is the most likely part to wear, this will irritate you, clunking away, well before it starts to affect the steering.
As said above, get an assistant and turn the steering from lock to lock with the engine running and look for movement at the joints, swivels etc.
As said above, the steering column universal joints can dry out and go really stiff, which causes horrible lumpy steering, you can TEMPORARILY alleviate this by soaking them in WD40 or lubricating spray. This may TEMPORARILY free things up if they are seized up.

Hicap phill · Jul 31, 2019

Few checks by yourself
Move steering left/ right if body work moves move than the axle = panard rod bushes

A frame check. Engage handbrake then roll/rotate with your hands the rear tyres. There will be a bit of slack when this is taken up if the A knuckle is US it will jump slightly.

A good pry bar helps on all joints

tottot · Jul 31, 2019

Bushes gone in the radius rods is what causes rear wheel steer.

Flossie · Jul 31, 2019

tottot said:
Bushes gone in the radius rods is what causes rear wheel steer.

Yeah, I had that, the bolt holes had gone oval too.

tottot · Aug 1, 2019

Aye, makes for some interesting times driving along the narrow lanes around here. You probably did this Flossie but for others some thick washers welded to the axle brackets sorts the problem.

Flossie · Aug 1, 2019

tottot said:
Aye, makes for some interesting times driving along the narrow lanes around here. You probably did this Flossie but for others some thick washers welded to the axle brackets sorts the problem.

My bolts were not long enough to do that so I ground off/chiselled off the washers that LR fitted (only held on with 3 or 4 weld tacks) then welded thick washers on.
I found by cranking the rear wheel nuts clockwise I could feel the play and hear it too.all wheels on the ground, handbrake off, Whilst someone else did this and I lay underneath it was easy to see the bolt moving even though the bushes were fine.
I've had to do every axle mount hole that takes a bush.

Steering problem

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