Trollsey

Trollsey

Member
I had an interesting experience at the store on Thursday evening in my 90. Parked, did some shopping, came back, got in and just started to drive off when bingo, no steering in the middle of traffic I say no steering, it went left and left only ... the steering wheel wouldn't move and it felt like I'd break it if I forced it. My only option was to go in the direction it took me, which meant I was careening over the shrubs and plants thst are in the middle of car parks I thought, ****, I'm going to be on police interceptors or tasered. Anyway, I waited for my other half to arrive and rescue me (yes, I am but a mere woman!) and them It then started to steer again, albeit vaguely (more so than usual). No visible fluid leaks. Taking it in Monday but wondering if anyone has had similar issues?
 
Yep, luckily in an almost empty car park, WD 40 the universal joints on the steering column in the engine compartment, then give them a good covering of grease.
 
Ok will try that tomorrow. Taking it to R&E Land Rover in Salisbury on Monday so will report back on what it is (and the damage to my bank account).
 
Update: My other half correctly diagnosed the issue as the two cam lock switches (because of the drag he says) which were put on by the previous owner in the cubby box - that I had knocked one on accidentally whilst doing up my disk lock. He swears it's female operating error! At any rate, turns out also that my front prop shaft was on the verge of falling off. Wonderful. Good job I love my Landy.
 
Trollsey said:
Sorry, I mean kam electronic difflock switches.
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Oki doki,
That's nice, having diff lockers. :)
I've never had any, but you should still be able to steer with one of them locked. Someone who knows more about them may shed some light.
 
Al2O3 said:
Oki doki,
That's nice, having diff lockers. :)
I've never had any, but you should still be able to steer with one of them locked. Someone who knows more about them may shed some light.
Click to expand...
I hope someone does. Waiting to hear from R&E tomorrow.
 
I know what difflockers do, but not how they actually physically lock the differential inside. (I'm going to google for an exploded diagram) If the difflocker is only locking the drive to one half shaft, then I suppose it might pull to one side. Just hypothesising.
 
Al2O3 said:
I know what difflockers do, but not how they actually physically lock the differential inside. (I'm going to google for an exploded diagram) If the difflocker is only locking the drive to one half shaft, then I suppose it might pull to one side. Just hypothesising.
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That's what the other half and R&E think. Will have it confirmed tomorrow, I hope.
 
Al2O3 said:
Oki doki,
That's nice, having diff lockers. :)
I've never had any, but you should still be able to steer with one of them locked. Someone who knows more about them may shed some light.
Click to expand...

Never had kam. but with a full locker you will struggle to steer at all on tarmac with it locked. I have a full mechanical locker in my tractor.

In my Ninety I have Detroit locker in the rear, you can steer because it unlocks mechanically if you arent on the throttle. If you are on the power, steering gets pretty heavy on tarmac, and you can get some clunking and banging.
 
Turboman said:
Never had kam. but with a full locker you will struggle to steer at all on tarmac with it locked. I have a full mechanical locker in my tractor.

In my Ninety I have Detroit locker in the rear, you can steer because it unlocks mechanically if you arent on the throttle. If you are on the power, steering gets pretty heavy on tarmac, and you can get some clunking and banging.
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I can imagine it getting heavy due to the resistance to the turn from your rear axle. Could it be as bad as described by Trollsey in her first post?
 
Al2O3 said:
I can imagine it getting heavy due to the resistance to the turn from your rear axle. Could it be as bad as described by Trollsey in her first post?
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Fully locked up on a tractor, you will turn the steering wheel, and the front wheels will steer, no turning at all, they just slide sideways. :)

As I say, not had kam, but I imagine pretty much same on tarmac. I have had ARBs years ago, but tbh cant remember what happens if you lock rear on tarmac.
 
Al2O3 said:
I can imagine it getting heavy due to the resistance to the turn from your rear axle. Could it be as bad as described by Trollsey in her first post?
Click to expand...

It is like driving with a solid bar for a rear axle when fully locked.

My friend has a vintage car, no rear diff at all, you just drift round bends, it helps that the tyres are only 2 inch wide crossplys! :D
 
Rear should scrub the tyres if locked. People weld their rear diff up for cheap off roading and they still steering on the road. Front locker however would be hard to steer. Can't say I've tried to steer with my front locker engaged except on loose ground off roading
 
Turboman said:
Fully locked up on a tractor, you will turn the steering wheel, and the front wheels will steer, no turning at all, they just slide sideways. :)

As I say, not had kam, but I imagine pretty much same on tarmac. I have had ARBs years ago, but tbh cant remember what happens if you lock rear on tarmac.
Click to expand...
I've seen tractors doing that. Put it down to weight being lifted off the front, which I suppose will happen at times, but I can imagine a fully locked diff doing that too. OP couldn't steer one way though. Will be interesting to see what the investigation by the garage reveals.
 
Heard from R&E who confirmed it was the electronic kam difflock which I'd switched on accidentally (one cover coming up for those switches) and trying to drive on tarmac at speed (well, as fast as you get in mine). Also had a new front prop shaft fitted and the 90 is staying in for a few more nips and tucks, oil seals, etc., but nothing major. Been told that, all in all, for a 2001, he's in good nick. Next up is the 110 because we like to own more than one money pit at a time! Nah, it's worth it. None of my friends understand my love of the Defender but I doubt I'll be without one now ever again.
 
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