Grapet117

Member

• Nov 6, 2015

• #1

Dear Gents. I've got a 98, V8i Two door Disco and over small road bumps etc the steering goes a bit crazy, like the shakes after a hard night partying! My mechanic tells me in his pigeon English that it's at the "end of the steering and it's a common fault". He's tighten it up but "will eventually loosen up". Could someone try to identify the worn part on the attached file and let me know what supplier could provide a replacement? Many thanks. (I would ask my mechanic but he's a bit flakey himself and need an expert. )

 

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West Slope Rover

Well-Known Member

• Nov 6, 2015

• #2

Grapet117 said:

Dear Gents. I've got a 98, V8i Two door Disco and over small road bumps etc the steering goes a bit crazy, like the shakes after a hard night partying! My mechanic tells me in his pigeon English that it's at the "end of the steering and it's a common fault". He's tighten it up but "will eventually loosen up". Could someone try to identify the worn part on the attached file and let me know what supplier could provide a replacement? Many thanks. (I would ask my mechanic but he's a bit flakey himself and need an expert. )

Click to expand...

Rarely is "one part" responsible for the wobble. It is often the result of more than one issue. Check all balls joint for play, check panhard bush for same, check steering box for play, check steering UJs, check for weak dampers, check for wheel bearing play and check swivel pin pre-tension. For a complete picture search, the forum for "death wobble".

 

Grapet117

Member

• Nov 6, 2015

• #3

Thx .... So basically it's as per the attached. I'm not much of a mechanic so it's quite a process for me to diagnose stuff more complicated than replacing a battery.

 

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West Slope Rover

Well-Known Member

• Nov 6, 2015

• #4

Grapet117 said:

Thx .... So basically it's as per the attached. I'm not much of a mechanic so it's quite a process for me to diagnose stuff more complicated than replacing a battery.

Click to expand...

Basically, yes.

Diagnosing some of the issues is not difficult. With help of someone else have them turn the steering wheel back and forth while you have a look underneath the car. You'll be able to see play in the ball joints and if the panhard bush is badly worn you can sometimes see it move (it shouldn't). Same for looking at the steering UJs, you'll be able to see the play in worn ones. To check wheel bearings grab the tyre at the 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock and move the tyre back and forth. Do you feel or hear a clunk? If you do, it's a worn bearing. If no clunk, grab the tyre at 12 o'clock and give it a jiggle. No clunk at 3 and 6 but clunk at the 12 o'clock position, it is loose swivel pin pre-tension.

 

Grapet117

Member

• Nov 6, 2015

• #5

West Slope Rover said:

Basically, yes.

Diagnosing some of the issues is not difficult. With help of someone else have them turn the steering wheel back and forth while you have a look underneath the car. You'll be able to see play in the ball joints and if the panhard bush is badly worn you can sometimes see it move (it shouldn't). Same for looking at the steering UJs, you'll be able to see the play in worn ones. To check wheel bearings grab the tyre at the 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock and move the tyre back and forth. Do you feel or hear a clunk? If you do, it's a worn bearing. If no clunk, grab the tyre at 12 o'clock and give it a jiggle. No clunk at 3 and 6 but clunk at the 12 o'clock position, it is loose swivel pin pre-tension.

Click to expand...

Much appreciated, many thanks.

 

Grapet117

Member

• Nov 7, 2015

• #6

Had a butchers underneath and over and alls good with what I can see and grip. The lower uj seems the likely suspect. Which is good. However I did come across a nasty hole developing on the lh drivers side. Some welding seems likely I fear but it has just passed its yearly inspection...

 

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Grapet117

Member

• Nov 7, 2015

• #7

I contacted an online supplier (provided my VIN #) and he said I must order the whole lower steering column as the UJs are not supplied separately. Would anyone know if this is a straight forward fit? Thx

 

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haigy

Well-Known Member

• Nov 7, 2015

• #8

Easy to fix mate but i dont think thatl cause a wobble like imu said up top.

3 x 1/2 bolts remove them and wiggle the collum out.refit new 1 and make sure steering straight and the grooves line up on box end as there a groove on the shaft itl fit 1 way.

The wobble your saying up top is likely to be a bush of somesort. Ive just changed all my front end bushes and it had recon steering box due to leak and shaft and power steering pump and pipework so at min it like new discovery

 

Grapet117

Member

• Nov 7, 2015

• #9

Thx Haigy. Due to its advancing age (and the lack of available alternatives where I am) I'm ok with both steering column and bushes. Can you recommend an online uk kit supplier? I'm back on vacation at Xmas so planning my discos pressie list to take back. A sill is on the list as well!

 

haigy

Well-Known Member

• Nov 7, 2015

• #10

I use the good old ebay to source my parts or totalparts.com in skelmersdale.

 

rewmer

Well-Known Member

• Nov 8, 2015

• #11

Likely culprit is the pre load on the swivel bearings. From memory , I believe they should be adjusted so it takes 16lbs of force on the steering arm to move the hub with the wiper seal in place. Adjustment is made by shimming.

 

Grapet117

Member

• Jan 21, 2016

• #12

Dear All. I've been away from this forum for a while - regaining sanity - and I'll like to update you on my steering issues. The preload on the swivel bearings was checked and alls good. The shocks appear to be ok, so I changed the steering damper and I believe for the moment it has made a big improvement. The previous one had the nuts done up very very tightly which surprised me as the rubbers had split. The new one I've fitted I believe I done them tight but not to deform the rubber overly. Should the damper be tightened a lot? Thx

 

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Grapet117

Member

• Jan 21, 2016

• #13

Gosh ... I can see oil drips!

 

Shimsteriom

Master Procrastinator

• Jan 21, 2016

• #14

I had similar shaking symptoms on my D2 TD5 and it was solved by replacing the 18" wheels with 16's and new 'same type' tyres on each corner. No more shaking from the drivetrain.

 

Grapet117

Member

• Feb 19, 2016

• #15

Actually I also fitted new tyres, that made a huge difference as the old ones were really in a poor cracked state.