Steering vague ,many parts changed

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It is well worth checking all of the things suggested above but its also worth checking for play in the steering (can you turn the wheel left to right a bit before the wheels move ?) if so the steering box may need adjusted via the nut and stud on the top ,iirc you need a 19mm spanner and a bit flat screw driver

I took a fair bit of slop out of my steering by doing this but only wind the stud in just far enough to take away the play at the wheel ,dont over tighten it
 
"Other thing to say (and maybe you know this anyway) is that Land Rover steering is naturally very vague so if you are not used to them you can find them a bit disconcerting when compared to normal cars. You have to get used to not gripping the steering wheel too tight and just let it find its own way."

Only if your vehicle is not set-up or maintained correctly.
There is no reason why any coiler (unless it is wearing high springs, oversize tyres etc etc) should need constant correction through the steering, that is just an excuse for not sorting out what is wrong (a bit like "they all leak oil, heaters are rubbish, brakes are ineffective" etc). When everything is working as it should the steering should be tight and precise (well, as precise as it can be on those great big coils and chunks of rubber!). ;)

As above, tyre pressures seem to be a bit high plus there is no mention of checking bushes or swivels. I am sure that if you look at these you will sort it out.:)
 
Farmer Brown said:
Other thing to say (and maybe you know this anyway) is that Land Rover steering is naturally very vague so if you are not used to them you can find them a bit disconcerting when compared to normal cars. You have to get used to not gripping the steering wheel too tight and just let it find its own way.
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sorry but thats bull, they arent a **** design like that, thats a sign of badly setup or overworn components
 
Hello again everyone overwhelmed by your responses I can not thank you all enough
Sorry for delayed reply have had a real nasty week plus lift pump now gone ( one on order) & just learnt next Thursday I have to attend a funeral in South Wales some 400 miles round trip from Surrey where I am

Lowered the tyres to 29 front 34 rear and it has helped abbot but to be honest not a lot
I have no steering wobble at any speed and braking is fine with no pull to either side
Many of you mention swivel pins and panhard Rod I have no idea about these so any help on how to identify and check would be great and maybe an idea of how big a job these would be to sort out
I have already tightened the steering box to the point there is minimal movement by hand to the shaft, can/should I tighten this more
Shocks where mentioned, the back end has new terrafimas the front not touched yet but I suspect not healthy as she sits lower to one side.
Thanks again as I am learning something each time I lift the hood on the beastie
 
Ref farmer brown
Hi mate
Sorry not sure what rim size I have they are the module steel rims I think I heard them referred to as, they look plenty wide enough and truck does at least look like it sits well on them
No uneven tyre wear either
Don't know if that helps determine fault
 
flat said:
sorry but thats bull, they arent a **** design like that, thats a sign of badly setup or overworn components
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I stand by that comment. When I Compare a Land Rover to some of the decent cars I've had, 350z, focus RS mk2 (still got), golf gtd, Saab, Audi,race car, or loads of other fast cars I've driven, mental subaru's, mental evo's, lambo's, new RS, other fast fords and loads of m cars, fast audi's, Porsches etc etc and Land Rover steering is very vague and frankly abysmal on tarmac.

I've driven land rovers all my life, always will and in some conditions I reckon they are the best vehicle you can have. That's why I have one because I do things with it and go places that a pickup wouldn't even look at. but they are all the same on the road, we've had about 7 I think, most from new, driven loads of mates ones - never driven one of the really late ones mind), bit of free play around dead centre, no steering feel, big awkward steering wheel, low geared steering, move about a bit on chunky tall rubber, wallow about a bit on corners, brakes are crap. Some people just don't like driving them. Compared to your average modern car a defender's road handling is terrible. I've had staff who moaned about driving even new ones, most of my mates have owned them at some point but have almost all moved onto modern pickups or 4x4's because land rovers are among other things pretty crap on the road. They are a truly exceptional off road vehicle but if you are going to be doing a chunk more road miles and not so much off road they are way behind the modern competition.

So Land Rover, great off road vehicle, great workhorse, great towing vehicle, but unfortunately not so great on the road because of various things including, comparatively vague, numb steering. A quality that I don't mind because as I said I don't own it to zip about on the road and if it had tight as steering like my RS or some other cars it would be terrible off road. I own it to go places on the farm a pickup wouldn't even look at, if I'm doing a regular road journey I use another car. To my mind a Land Rover is designed for a specific purpose that it does very, very well but you can't pretend it is perfect in all regards or take offence when someone says it isn't.
 
Molelike said:
Ref farmer brown
Hi mate
Sorry not sure what rim size I have they are the module steel rims I think I heard them referred to as, they look plenty wide enough and truck does at least look like it sits well on them
No uneven tyre wear either
Don't know if that helps determine fault
Click to expand...


Will probably by 7 or 8 inch if they are modular so will be ok. Just asked because if you Fit a tyres on too narrow rims a car won't handle so well as the tyre profile isn't as it should be.
 
FB your not comparing like to like, a pandrover is not going to be in the same league as a Ferrari or GTI etc, but the steering in mine isn't vague, it goes the way I point it and I don't have to saw at the wheel all the time to stay in a straight line. It is possible to set the up so the steering is sharp and accurate. So I stand by my comment.
 
Oh and I didn't take offence, just was stating my opinion, I don't think they are perfect and wouldnt want to use one as a daily commuter etc!
 
Farmer Brown said:
I stand by that comment. When I Compare a Land Rover to some of the decent cars I've had, 350z, focus RS mk2 (still got), golf gtd, Saab, Audi,race car, or loads of other fast cars I've driven, mental subaru's, mental evo's, lambo's, new RS, other fast fords and loads of m cars, fast audi's, Porsches etc etc and Land Rover steering is very vague and frankly abysmal on tarmac.

I've driven land rovers all my life, always will and in some conditions I reckon they are the best vehicle you can have. That's why I have one because I do things with it and go places that a pickup wouldn't even look at. but they are all the same on the road, we've had about 7 I think, most from new, driven loads of mates ones - never driven one of the really late ones mind), bit of free play around dead centre, no steering feel, big awkward steering wheel, low geared steering, move about a bit on chunky tall rubber, wallow about a bit on corners, brakes are crap. Some people just don't like driving them. Compared to your average modern car a defender's road handling is terrible. I've had staff who moaned about driving even new ones, most of my mates have owned them at some point but have almost all moved onto modern pickups or 4x4's because land rovers are among other things pretty crap on the road. They are a truly exceptional off road vehicle but if you are going to be doing a chunk more road miles and not so much off road they are way behind the modern competition.

So Land Rover, great off road vehicle, great workhorse, great towing vehicle, but unfortunately not so great on the road because of various things including, comparatively vague, numb steering. A quality that I don't mind because as I said I don't own it to zip about on the road and if it had tight as steering like my RS or some other cars it would be terrible off road. I own it to go places on the farm a pickup wouldn't even look at, if I'm doing a regular road journey I use another car. To my mind a Land Rover is designed for a specific purpose that it does very, very well but you can't pretend it is perfect in all regards or take offence when someone says it isn't.
Click to expand...

Are you making it up? A landrover should be perfectly safe and predictable on the road, and if it isnt, there is a problem.

It isnt a sports car, but it shouldnt wander around the place, if everything is right, you shouldnt have to think about steering, just do it. Mine is happy with one finger on the wheel.

It is a compromise vehicle, naturally if you want to go long distances fast, take a car. And in horrendous conditions off road, why not take a tractor?
 
flat said:
FB your not comparing like to like, a pandrover is not going to be in the same league as a Ferrari or GTI etc, but the steering in mine isn't vague, it goes the way I point it and I don't have to saw at the wheel all the time to stay in a straight line. It is possible to set the up so the steering is sharp and accurate. So I stand by my comment.
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Well,we will have to agree to disagree, I stand by my comment, plenty people don't like land rovers because their road manners are pretty archaic to say the least.... That is why farmers for example have virtually all moved from near on100% landrovers to jap pick ups. And you did take offence.
 
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Farmer Brown said:
Well,we will did have to agree to disagree, I stand by my comment, plenty people don't like land rovers because their road manners are pretty archaic to say the least.... That is why farmer for example have virtually all moved from landrovers to jap pick ups. And you did take offence.
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When you talk about Land Rovers what models are you referring to?
I have driven most models of Discoveries and can't agree with your sentiments.
Have a Discovery 3 now and the driving is a pleasure
 
Farmer Brown said:
Well,we will did have to agree to disagree, I stand by my comment, plenty people don't like land rovers because their road manners are pretty archaic to say the least.... That is why farmer for example have virtually all moved from landrovers to jap pick ups. And you did take offence.
Click to expand...

If you dont like em, why get one? As I said, they have few agricultural uses that arent better covered by a tractor or a mule.

And if you are such a hotshot agriculturalist, why havent you posted any pics of your farming in AG for us to assess?
 
Turboman said:
Are you making it up? A landrover should be perfectly safe and predictable on the road, and if it isnt, there is a problem.

It isnt a sports car, but it shouldnt wander around the place, if everything is right, you shouldnt have to think about steering, just do it. Mine is happy with one finger on the wheel.

It is a compromise vehicle, naturally if you want to go long distances fast, take a car. And in horrendous conditions off road, why not take a tractor?
Click to expand...


As is mine happy with one finger on the wheel but I stand by what I said, the steering on a Land Rover is vague compared to your average modern car and some people don't like the way they drive. My Mrs hates mine, same for my mum, she drives a freelander but refuses to drive the Land Rover. With my RS or 350z before it there was not a micron of free play in the steering, you turn the wheel and that movement is replicated exactly at the wheels, you hit a pebble or grip levels change even slightly and you feel it. A Landrover in comparison has steering feel and precision little better than a tractor.
In any case you seem to agree with what I said in your last para. I own a bunch of different vehicles and regard them almost as golf clubs, each with their own specific purpose, but each also have their drawbacks.
 
biggeeeee said:
When you talk about Land Rovers what models are you referring to?
I have driven most models of Discoveries and can't agree with your sentiments.
Have a Discovery 3 now and the driving is a pleasure
Click to expand...
a defender. Also got a freelander 2 and I think it's pretty good on the road for what it is.
 
Farmer Brown said:
As is mine happy with one finger on the wheel but I stand by what I said, the steering on a Land Rover is vague compared to your average modern car and some people don't like the way they drive. My Mrs hates mine, same for my mum, she drives a freelander but refuses to drive the Land Rover. With my RS or 350z before it there was not a micron of free play in the steering, you turn the wheel and that movement is replicated exactly at the wheels, you hit a pebble or grip levels change even slightly and you feel it. A Landrover in comparison has steering feel and precision little better than a tractor.
In any case you seem to agree with what I said in your last para. I own a bunch of different vehicles and regard them almost as golf clubs, each with their own specific purpose, but each also have their drawbacks.
Click to expand...

What do I want to get a modern car for, not interested in cars, never have been. They are just a tool.

My tractor is perfectly safe and predictable on or off road as well. Why wouldnt it be, it is properly set up, and well maintained.

TBH, I like landrovers, but after 30 odd years, there isnt much to say. Much more interested in farming pics?:)

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/livestock-arable-veg-and-farm-kit.294851/
 
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Turboman said:
What do I want to get a modern car for, not interested in cars, never have been. They are just a tool.

My tractor is perfectly safe and predictable on or off road as well. Why wouldnt it be, it is properly set up, and well maintained.

TBH, I like landrovers, but after 30 odd years, there isnt much to say. Much more interested in farming pics?:)

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/livestock-arable-veg-and-farm-kit.294851/
Click to expand...

i like land rovers as well, and get plenty stick for it too, but I recognise that they have their drawbacks and some people hate driving them. For me the plus sides far outweigh the drawbacks and that's why we have always had them and I will keep this last one a long time. There isnt another vehicle out there that can do the job I expect of my Landrover. I would prefer a newer one but I'm too tall to fit in the puma version and the new concept looks horrendous and I reckon bits would snap off it every 5 mins.

I'm not a massive farming photo person but if you want to see some moos I will see what I can do.
 
I don't think anyone is expecting an old 90/110 to drive like a modern car, let alone some highly tuned Japanese boy racer thing.
But in good condition they don't wander all over the road and should feel totally composed on the motorway or through the lanes. Sure they rattle and crash over the bumps but I've never felt they are unsafe..
 
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