Hi all I am having problems trying to get rid of front wheel play ? I have new track rod ends etc new steering bar which are all right but I am removing shims as the wheel has bad wheel play around the chrome ball . I have got to the stage now that I have removed all the shims and it is still playing are there shims underneath as well all help much appreciated as I need to use it soon
Thanks for that can you tell me can you add shims to reduce play as I watched a video on YouTube and the guy was saying this but his play was so bad he said there wouldn't be enough shins in the world to stop it hence I was thinking do you add them just I will still order the bearing as you described Thanks
steve2286w
Well-Known Member
Have you still got the tufnel thrust washer in place and not worn away
If you add shims under the pin you will increase the play,
how much play do you have
If you add shims under the pin you will increase the play,
how much play do you have
No I don't have that washer infact i cant see it ? Theres about an inch or so of play if you pull but that washer has made me think now as it was steering ok ish till recently does that washer go inside the hole where the top pin sits by any chance ?
steve2286w
Well-Known Member
Yes it sits under the pin and between it and the ball , 1” play… something odd going on
That's with all shims out as well ? I have bought the washer and the sleeve I tried buying the kit but had a problem logging onto PayPal some bastard stole my phone recently . I have to say that when I put my finger in the pin hole it felt a bit rough maybe that was the remains of the washer I don't know ? But i willing to pay someone to do this job as i need the thing running in 3 weeks i am based in Pontypool South Wales if you know anyone to drive it is a nightmare it's all over the place I can only imagine it has to be the free play in the wheel as I disconnected the steering arm etc and relay was fine very odd
I can't imagine driving it with 1"play is a wise idea.
On the 2a I did tracking using an adjustable mop handle and set it straight ahead, seemed just fine and didn't wear tyres.
If you have had tracking done already I wouldn't worry as you have not moved anything on the drag link or steering rod. Had the swivel off my Defender twice recently and haven't redone the tracking.
Although seems kind of pointless having the tracking done with the swivel having so much play, or was it OK when you had the tracking done?
steve2286w
Well-Known Member
The pin tightens down into the bush , the bush is pressed into the top of the ball tightly and the tufnel washer sits under the pin so not metal rubbing on metal and provides a low ish friction allowing ball to swivel even when pin tight, the shims ensure not too much load on the bush which would make steering heavy,
If you get all parts it’s fairly simple and would sort it well inside 3 weeks
If you get all parts it’s fairly simple and would sort it well inside 3 weeks
steve2286w
Well-Known Member
Land Rover Manuals
Workshop manual here too to supplement steam wally
Thanks Steve odd thing is it does not play vertically only horizontally if that makes sense and as I said the ball joints I'm the track rods are new and steering etc infact that's what it feels like when you wobble it sude to side exactly like a worn or loose ball joint but definitely not that at all
do you know how to get the old Bush out ? Or is it an entire strip down that would be handy to know bud
