td5 steering box

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T26HOM

Active Member
Posts
102
Location
Angus, Scotland
Looking for some help with my defender steering. Does anyone know if there is anything in the steering box that would cause my defenders steering wheel to allways want to cock around to the 11 o clock position?
Steering box has been checked and centered, steering lock engages at 12 o clock position, tracking is fine toe out 1, all good tyres at correct pressure, 30 front/34rear, wheel bearings all good with no play or noise, swivels no play and preload set correct. Lower steering column replaced and u/js fine, tre's all replaced and good.
Steering is very light and requires no effort to move wheel there is no play in the steering wheel at all. Box does have a very slight leak from the seal at drop arm which is also on tight. All shocks replaced, radius, trailing arm bushes replaced at both ends with super pro poly, as was the a frame bushes and panhard rod bushes all new bolts on everything that was rebushed too. Front diff is a little noisy so any ideas? Im always coming back to the box but since it has no play in it im reluctant to replace it but i have no idea of the internal workings of the box and so looking for someone with more knowledge than me on the subject.
 
Is it always trying to steer you into the kerb? Or do you just mean that when you're going straight ahead the steering wheel is not quite level and looks like you're steering slightly left? If the latter you might be able to adjust the drag link by loosening off the clips at either end and rotating it to make it longer and shorter until you find the best position. Alternatively, one can pop the steering wheel off and move it round a spline or two.
On many roads the camber means that you've got to steer slightly to the right to keep it straight anyway, so no matter how carefully you adjust things for dead flat conditions you don't get the satisfaction of driving with the steering wheel in a symmetrical position anyway.
 
Is it always trying to steer you into the kerb? Or do you just mean that when you're going straight ahead the steering wheel is not quite level and looks like you're steering slightly left? If the latter you might be able to adjust the drag link by loosening off the clips at either end and rotating it to make it longer and shorter until you find the best position. Alternatively, one can pop the steering wheel off and move it round a spline or two.
On many roads the camber means that you've got to steer slightly to the right to keep it straight anyway, so no matter how carefully you adjust things for dead flat conditions you don't get the satisfaction of driving with the steering wheel in a symmetrical position anyway.
It tracks dead straight on a flat road with the steering wheel dead ahead, drag link and track bar are both set to correct length of 924mm and 1230mm with correct toe and steering wheel in correct position. Its difficult to explain but the steering wheel has no resistance in it and wants to settle in the 11 o clock position. Almost like that is where the centre position is however steering box was centerd properly. Another thing is if i have the steering damper off it lessens the tendency to want to go to that position but it is still there hence making me think its a hydrolic matter inside the box. Maybe a valve not able to keep constant pressure in the correct position. But im unsure of wether there is anything inside the steering box to do that. This would also accout for the very light steering.
 
I've driven friends' TD5s and have been surprised at how much the feel of the car can vary, even with the same components. I have a friend with a 2004 Defender whose steering is feather light compared to mine. If it will stay in a straight line on a flat surface then I don't think you've got too much to worry about. If you hold the wheel loosely and apply the brakes does it want to veer? I find with mine it tends to want to drift with the camber of the road and can be steered by 'tramlines' if the road has got ruts of the kind that develop with heavy traffic in hot weather. It's only a very mild tendency and I compensate for it almost without thinking about it in everyday driving.
 
Yes, tramlines badly however it didnt used to and the steering used to be spot on. I would be happy to leave as is for everyday driving but if i hit standing water even at slow speeds it has a tendency to whip the steering wheel around out of my hands which can be very exciting when not expected especially in the dark. The other thing is on snow covered and icey roads it gets very interesting to.
She brakes dead straight too on flat surfaces but pulls with camber when braking on uneven roads. All 4 calipers have been replaced in last 3 months front discs done but rear discs only just over a year old.
 
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