Steering wheel misalignment! help!

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J

J_Swan

Active Member
Posts
103
Location
West Midlands
I've got a defender 90 300tdi owned just over a week.

Never owned a Land Rover before & this is all new to me. I've ordered a Haynes manual which is en route & would like to get to understand the defender, carry out routine maintenance etc.

My steering wheel seems to be misaligned. It doesn't pull to the left or right when driving but when stationary and the wheel is straight, to turn left is just a brief turn of the wheel, but to turn right is probably 45degrees clockwise.

If I put the steering wheel central when driving, I slowly veer to the left. I've seen a fair bit on forums about this but most of it seems pretty complex and uses terms I'm unsure of. There also seems to be a lot of disagreement about the first point of call. If someone could give a dummies guide to find the issue id appreciate it!
 
J_Swan said:
I've got a defender 90 300tdi owned just over a week.

Never owned a Land Rover before & this is all new to me. I've ordered a Haynes manual which is en route & would like to get to understand the defender, carry out routine maintenance etc.

My steering wheel seems to be misaligned. It doesn't pull to the left or right when driving but when stationary and the wheel is straight, to turn left is just a brief turn of the wheel, but to turn right is probably 45degrees clockwise.

If I put the steering wheel central when driving, I slowly veer to the left. I've seen a fair bit on forums about this but most of it seems pretty complex and uses terms I'm unsure of. There also seems to be a lot of disagreement about the first point of call. If someone could give a dummies guide to find the issue id appreciate it!
Click to expand...

You need to adjust the track rods under the vehicle to get it straight. Don't try and remove the wheel itself, unless necessary.

And Haynes manuals are a waste of space. Download RAVE off the internet, or get a reprint Land Rover workshop manual.
 
Last edited:
J_Swan said:
I've got a defender 90 300tdi owned just over a week.

Never owned a Land Rover before & this is all new to me. I've ordered a Haynes manual which is en route & would like to get to understand the defender, carry out routine maintenance etc.

My steering wheel seems to be misaligned. It doesn't pull to the left or right when driving but when stationary and the wheel is straight, to turn left is just a brief turn of the wheel, but to turn right is probably 45degrees clockwise.

If I put the steering wheel central when driving, I slowly veer to the left. I've seen a fair bit on forums about this but most of it seems pretty complex and uses terms I'm unsure of. There also seems to be a lot of disagreement about the first point of call. If someone could give a dummies guide to find the issue id appreciate it!
Click to expand...
set the steering box central either using the slot and hole on rear of drop arm and a drill bit or counting the turns from full lock to lock the set center,then see were steering wheel sits,if its not aligned remove wheel and set correct, if when driving wheel is not now aligned adjust drag link till it is
 
jamesmartin said:
set the steering box central either using the slot and hole on rear of drop arm and a drill bit or counting the turns from full lock to lock the set center,then see were steering wheel sits,if its not aligned remove wheel and set correct, if when driving wheel is not now aligned adjust drag link till it is
Click to expand...
I have the same issue with mine. It's not a huge problem but causes my ordered mind to twitch a bit. I would prefer to try James's second option but I am damned if I can get my steering wheel to budge. Tried with my hands, knees, soaked with WD40 but it's locked on solid. Any bright ideas ?
 
Needalandy said:
I have the same issue with mine. It's not a huge problem but causes my ordered mind to twitch a bit. I would prefer to try James's second option but I am damned if I can get my steering wheel to budge. Tried with my hands, knees, soaked with WD40 but it's locked on solid. Any bright ideas ?
Click to expand...
i use a large hammer to shock the wheel off, though it has 2 threaded holes so a puller can be used similar to this
upload_2017-6-28_8-42-20.jpeg
 
Needalandy said:
I know this is a daft question but what part of the wheel do you hit with the hammer and how hard do you hit it? Worried about breaking it.
Click to expand...
rear of one of the arms as near the center as you can get pull on the other side at the same time ,leave nut on a few threads
 
With steering box centred steering wheel should be aligned. If not centre box then remove steering wheel and align. Then on flat ground drive car backwards then forwards two or three car lengths with hands off wheel to allow steering to self centre. If wheel is then out of line adjust drag link until it is lined up. You may have to do this a few times to get it absolutely correct.
 
When I got my landy it the wheel was hugely out. Tried to remove the sheering wheel only to find it was suck on fast - and I mean really really stuck on...

IMG_1420.jpg

I had to replace the ball joints the links, and in the end the steering box - every time I tried to get the wheel straight. Always missed it. Now I think it's just part of it's personality.
 
It's easier to split the steering links/joints between the bulkhead and the box than remove the steering wheel sometimes. Just needs 2 13mm spanners (and a hammer of course).
 
you can make a puller with 3/8 bit of plate with 2 holes drilled in it the same centers as steering wheel and 2 5/6 nf bolts and nuts I remove mine every night and put large coat over space to make it look like steering wheel is still there
 
on my 1985 land rover it is definstly 5/6 NF possibly later ones were diferunt never had any thing to do with later ones being hgv/plant man
 
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