grnoval · Oct 28, 2013

So I bought a p38, and I'm gutted. I shouldve turned around two miles after leaving the sellers house. But I didn't.

At any speed, its not that there is play in the steering because I can't feel any, but I clipped a piece of chewing gum in the road and had to quick to catch the change of direction.

After 60 miles I knew it wasn't me and I'd been shafted.

Everything I've read in the last week suggests its going to be the upper and lower balljoints. But has anyone got a "starter for 10" list of the best way to work through steering probs?

I'm thinking steering box adjustment first, steering damper, the track rod ends, bushings, and the swivels last. Or has anyone got any ideas that would help?

Grnoval

wammers · Oct 28, 2013

Have a look round the site plenty of threads on this. Could be a few things Or combination of things.

EeEk · Oct 28, 2013

Aye do the ball joints first

...because it'll be them

Disconnect the track rod and drag link from the hubs and turn the hubs side to side - stop to stop - if the are not easily moved with equal force needed through the complete stop to stop then replace the ball joints. There wont be any free play!! They sieze up.

They are a nightmare to drive with semi siezed ball joints.

Saint.V8 · Oct 28, 2013

No swivel balls on the P38...

Also what size wheels?? The P38 hates anything other than the 16/18's it was designed for...and even then it is a black art to get the tyre pressures correct!

gazzab79 · Oct 28, 2013

start with simple things. Tyres, need matching treads on front ideally, worn tyres, pressures etc. Then start looking at dampers and ball joints and stuff. did u not test drive it??????

doz · Oct 28, 2013

What about just checking the tracking?

SpiggyTopes · Oct 29, 2013

Do the steering box adjustment last after all play in the other parts has been eliminated, and then VERY carefully or you'll wreck it.

Only exception would be if the steering box is either loose (the adjuster loose that is) or very worn, in which case do it first.

If it pulls very seriously to one side, it might be something else - do a search here, as it rings a bell.

wil2813 · Oct 29, 2013

as above make sure there is no play in any steering/suspension components then inspect tyres for uneven wear/brand name/size/pressure etc incase one is outpowering the other then get wheel alignment checked

Datatek · Oct 29, 2013

wil2813 said:
as above make sure there is no play in any steering/suspension components then inspect tyres for uneven wear/brand name/size/pressure etc incase one is outpowering the other then get wheel alignment checked

As above, they are very sensitive to tyre pressures and rim size, anything over 18" and they can be a nightmare. Try 28psi front and rear, works for me.

rewmer · Oct 29, 2013

Don't overlook centering the steering box there is a mark on the box that needs to line up with the input shaft when the wheels are dead ahead.

And again to re iterate what's already been mentioned. Tyres, track rod ends, bushes, drop links, radius arm bushes, roll bar bushes. A little play in all or some can lead to what you have.

grnoval · Oct 29, 2013

Thanks all - pretty much what I was expecting

Tyres are same all round - Pirelli Scorpions, and the tread measures about the same all round. Its on standard RaRo/Disco rims, so that kind of rules out the issues with stupid sizes. Pressures are similar - after a week now reporting 28ns 29os

It doesn't pull to one side specifically, but the "worst" bit of road I drive daily causes the lurch to kerb.

Think I'm going to order up the upper joints (near and offside),the lower joints (same), steering damper, drag link assembly, track rod assembly and associated bushings and then pretty much replace everything steering.

wammers · Oct 29, 2013

grnoval said:
Thanks all - pretty much what I was expecting

Tyres are same all round - Pirelli Scorpions, and the tread measures about the same all round. Its on standard RaRo/Disco rims, so that kind of rules out the issues with stupid sizes. Pressures are similar - after a week now reporting 28ns 29os

It doesn't pull to one side specifically, but the "worst" bit of road I drive daily causes the lurch to kerb.

Think I'm going to order up the upper joints (near and offside),the lower joints (same), steering damper, drag link assembly, track rod assembly and associated bushings and then pretty much replace everything steering.

Changing the ball joints is NOT a job to try if you don't have stuff to do it. More likely to be off centre steering box. Steering box adjustment and play in steering shaft. Tracking Etc. Do all those before attempting ball joints they are NOT easy.

Datatek · Oct 29, 2013

grnoval said:
Thanks all - pretty much what I was expecting

Tyres are same all round - Pirelli Scorpions, and the tread measures about the same all round. Its on standard RaRo/Disco rims, so that kind of rules out the issues with stupid sizes. Pressures are similar - after a week now reporting 28ns 29os

It doesn't pull to one side specifically, but the "worst" bit of road I drive daily causes the lurch to kerb.

Think I'm going to order up the upper joints (near and offside),the lower joints (same), steering damper, drag link assembly, track rod assembly and associated bushings and then pretty much replace everything steering.

I seem to remember that Scorpions have been slated before for direction stability problems.

rewmer · Oct 29, 2013

I seem to remember that Scorpions have been slated before for direction stability problems.

I recall something like that. Wasnt it an issue with the Pirelli STR which replaced the STs ? I may of course be talking cods.....

Saint.V8 · Oct 29, 2013

I remeber something about that too.....distant bells are ringing.

gazzab79 · Oct 29, 2013

doz said:
What about just checking the tracking?

i did the tracking when i first got my old one and it actually made it worse!

Grit Valve · Oct 29, 2013

Check all steering components including panard rods

wil2813 · Oct 29, 2013

Datatek said:
I seem to remember that Scorpions have been slated before for direction stability problems.

I run scorpion zeros on my l322 I wouldn't settle for anything less, i suppose its a personal choice ive never had any problems at all with them or any ive sold/fitted to customers veihicles

Datatek · Oct 29, 2013

wil2813 said:
I run scorpion zeros on my l322 I wouldn't settle for anything less, i suppose its a personal choice ive never had any problems at all with them or any ive sold/fitted to customers veihicles

I'm sure no problem on most cars, but there have been a lot of threads about problems with Pirelli's on P38's in the past.

wil2813 · Oct 29, 2013

Datatek said:
I'm sure no problem on most cars, but there have been a lot of threads about problems with Pirelli's on P38's in the past.

saying that keith im actually not a big fan of the scorpion st, I have seen a few out of shape to be honest, could just be a coincidence as its a very popular tyre for a lot of 4x4s

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