Very Stiff Defender steering

Defender91 · Sep 13, 2018

Hi,
Since rebuilding my Defender in the spring, the steering has been fairly stiff.
I've checked the UJ's which were fine and also bled the pump,and retightned the belt but it hasn't made any difference.
Has anyone got any suggestions on what I can try next?
Thanks

jamesmartin · Sep 13, 2018

jack wheels up and twist one from lock to lock checking swivels rotate ok, if ok its a failing pump or steering box input shaft

300bhp/ton · Sep 13, 2018

Or check you haven’t done the cowling up tight near the ignition barrel. It clamps round the column and can make quite an impact.

jamesmartin · Sep 13, 2018

another thing is during the rebuild has somoeone adjusted the box

Defender91 · Sep 13, 2018

Hi,
Thanks for all the replies.
I jacked it up the other day and checked the swivels and they seemed fine.
When I checked the UJ's I disconnected the steering column and It seemed to spin easily.
The box was adjusted however that didnt seem to make much of a difference to the tension.
Thanks

jamesmartin · Sep 13, 2018

Defender91 said:
Hi,
Thanks for all the replies.
I jacked it up the other day and checked the swivels and they seemed fine.
When I checked the UJ's I disconnected the steering column and It seemed to spin easily.
The box was adjusted however that didnt seem to make much of a difference to the tension.
Thanks

its common to over adjust and make the box tight ,the input shaft is a torsion shaft it has an inner and outer the assistance is created by the twist between both,you can see this when ujs removed and outer splines twisted one way then the other and the delay with the center

Defender91 · Sep 13, 2018

Hi,
What's the best way to adjust it to the correct tension?
The method I tried before wasn't that clear.
I only realised how bad it was when I moved the other Landy on the drive.
Thanks

jamesmartin · Sep 13, 2018

Defender91 said:
Hi,
What's the best way to adjust it to the correct tension?
The method I tried before wasn't that clear.
I only realised how bad it was when I moved the other Landy on the drive.
Thanks

you cant alter input shaft its either good or bad, when adjusting the box it must be done with steering centralised and screw in just enough to remove backlash,its sometimes not easy to tell if your inexperienced, backing the screw off a little would prove whether its over adjusted or not,
pumps are a common failure

johnlad · Sep 13, 2018

You’ve not got one of the terrafirma self-centre steering dampers fitted have you, as they can make steering appear tight

Defender91 · Sep 13, 2018

Hi,
I'll check the tension on the box tomorrow.
If that's fine whats the best way of deciding whether it's the pump or box at fault?
Thanks

Very Stiff Defender steering

Defender91

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jamesmartin

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300bhp/ton

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jamesmartin

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Defender91

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jamesmartin

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Defender91

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jamesmartin

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johnlad

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Defender91

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