P

pishmishy

New Member
The steering in my Defender is feeling a little slack. The mechanic did mention it last time it went through it's MOT (I would say "but it's a land rover" but he did work for a LR dealer once upon a time).

Where should I look for the source of the slack? It doesn't appear to be in thre system before the shaft reaches the power steering gubbings so I'm guessing that it somewhere underneath. I had a very brief look but couldn't spot any obvious play. Any suggestions as to where I should look more carefully?
 
odenne said:
Drop arm ball joint.

I'll put a fiver on it
Click to expand...
Now I'm not sure what one of those is but some Googling tells me that'd be the bit on the left hand side of one of the rods, with the rubber gaiter that in my case is split and looks like sh*t?

That could be a good candidate. :D
 
pishmishy said:
Now I'm not sure what one of those is but some Googling tells me that'd be the bit on the left hand side of one of the rods, with the rubber gaiter that in my case is split and looks like sh*t?

That could be a good candidate. :D
Click to expand...
That'll be yer track rod end;)
 
pishmishy said:
Now I'm not sure what one of those is but some Googling tells me that'd be the bit on the left hand side of one of the rods, with the rubber gaiter that in my case is split and looks like sh*t?
Click to expand...

that's normal, lets hope it's not that as it's often an arse of a job

follow the instructions with that link i posted to take up any slack that might be in the steering box, that's a 5 minutes job and you'll deffo notice an improvement
 
I agree wiv Sean, tighten yer steering box furst then get a mate to wiggle steering while you lay under the front and look for play in the track rod ends, drag link and drop arm.
 
classic kev said:
Too right Buster! Once helped a mate change one on a Range Rover - couldn't get the drop arm off so changed it in-situ, what a nightmare.
Click to expand...

the normal method (if you havent got a VERY strong puller) is to replace the drop arm along with the ball joint
 
Sean said:
follow the instructions with that link i posted to take up any slack that might be in the steering box, that's a 5 minutes job and you'll deffo notice an improvement
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll take a look. Is it necessary to have the front of the vehicle lifted to do the job? That might not be all that convenient for me right now.
 
pishmishy said:
Thanks, I'll take a look. Is it necessary to have the front of the vehicle lifted to do the job? That might not be all that convenient for me right now.
Click to expand...
Unless ye're a REALLY fat git, then ye should manage just fine... well at least ah did;):D
 
Sean said:
the normal method (if you havent got a VERY strong puller) is to replace the drop arm along with the ball joint
Click to expand...

Have heard one method for releasing the drop arm is undo the big nut (35mm socket required) then place the vehicle next to a high kerb or similar solid object and turn the wheel - the theory is it will loosen the drop arm.

I've not tried it but worth a go I suppose.
 
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