Hi,first posting for a long while but have had a spell away from Land Rover. I recently acquired a 1988 200tdi from Wiltshire (I'm in Kent), based on it being in good running order but found at any speed over 40 coming back, the steering is nothing short of alarming, responsiveness is really poor and overly slack? First thing to check, steering box? Could lousy tracking make it this bad, suggestions appreciated thanks
huffhuff
Well-Known Member
Had the same with mine. I assumed it was a Land Rover thing until I drive my mates 90.
Mine has about 10" of play in the steering wheel. Would just wander from left to right.
Fixed it on Sunday. Both track rod ends and the drag link joint at the wheel end plus the big nut holding the drop arm to the steering box was very loose and the locking plate was not effective.
All sorted now, £22 later
the steering is as responsive as my family car
Mine has about 10" of play in the steering wheel. Would just wander from left to right.
Fixed it on Sunday. Both track rod ends and the drag link joint at the wheel end plus the big nut holding the drop arm to the steering box was very loose and the locking plate was not effective.
All sorted now, £22 later
the steering is as responsive as my family car
mikescuba
Well-Known Member
I would start with the cheapest and simplest things to check first. What tire pressures are you running on. I found with mine it made a big difference to the handling. I run with 1.9 bar in the front and 3.3 bar on the back. Some people on here suggested 3.3 bar all round. That didn't work for me. Then start checking things like tracking, ball joints, and so on.
They've all said it .. if nothing above works, check the swivels and seals for correct 'stiffness', and the A-arm bushes etc at the back .. the back end can 'steer' the front quite alarmingly. The steering damper doesn't 'really' matter, I don't have one, but it can damp down some wobbles and slow any kickbacks when laning or off-roading.
FlyingPete
Well-Known Member
Mine was down to play in the panhard rod bushes. You end up moving the axle sideways slightly before any steering takes place. Try grabbing the front bumper and rocking the car side to side.
Another bit the check for FREE is the steering box. Get someone to sit in the cab and rock the steering wheel left and right (presuming you're seeing some movement at the wheel before the wheels actually start moving).
Check where this slack is happening. Could be the steering shaft input to the box (make sure all bolts are tight), could be in the box itself (you'd see the movement going into the box but nothing coming out for a bit - this can be adjusted by the alan key and nut on top of box - search for info), it could be about the output (steering drop arm loose?) the nut should be VERY tight and have a lock washer on to stop it undoing.
If all of those check out, then it could be track rods etc.
Check where this slack is happening. Could be the steering shaft input to the box (make sure all bolts are tight), could be in the box itself (you'd see the movement going into the box but nothing coming out for a bit - this can be adjusted by the alan key and nut on top of box - search for info), it could be about the output (steering drop arm loose?) the nut should be VERY tight and have a lock washer on to stop it undoing.
If all of those check out, then it could be track rods etc.
gazman
Well-Known Member
Do you have any play in the uj's on the steering column? Pop open the bonnet and drivers window and grab the shaft just before it goes into the steering box and wiggle the steering wheel. Any play should be felt then.
Also check the steering box drop arm, it has a joint like a track rod end on it and goes just like a track rod end when worn
Also check the steering box drop arm, it has a joint like a track rod end on it and goes just like a track rod end when worn
gazman
Well-Known Member
Beat me to most of it whilst I was typing!
