I’ve started to experience some steering issues with my fully rebuild 110 Td5 Defender.
When I start - there’s some sort of squeaky noise coming from my steering somewhere (maybe keeps going after but with the engine noise etc when driving I can’t tell)

This is going on for few weeks and now it started to occasionally (doesn’t seem like it’s there always) have play in the steering wheel before the wheels react any..

The steering box is new original Adwest (+new LR drop arm w joint), new steering joints, all the hoses are new, new OEM power steering pump. For steering oil I’ve used Ravenol SSF…

Any steering wizards out there

Worth checking that the nut on the drop arm is still tight. The arm can waggle up and down making the steering feel woolly if it’s not tight

Could it be the auxiliary belt making a noise.
Play might be unrelated to what you have had done, first place would be to check all the previous work though.

Don't forget the universal joints in the steering column. They can deteriorate and feel funny sometimes. Unfortunately the spiders are not replaceable and you've got to buy the whole piece of the column. The panhard rod bushes can become loose and the steering mechanism merely moves the whole front axle from side to side rather than turning the wheels. The other thing I've had is the cap popping out of the joint on the steering arm, so the spring and cup holding the ball joint ball aren't there any more. When that happens the car is still steerable, but feels very loose.

All the usual stuff - ball joints, steering swivels, wheel bearings, radius arms and the like - is worth having a good look at and wobble too. But those are just a few things that I've had over the years.

Bolts holding box to chassis should be checked. Have someone waggle steering wheel while you observe all items above from underneath.

Thank you gent for your advice.
Will check tightness of all the nuts on the joints as well just to be sure.

Re. the belt - I’ve actually replaced it even it was fairly new thinking it might have to do anything with it but no joy. Will check all the pulleys even tho they are new as well just to make sure they are good.

- Will check the steering box bolts.
- the steering shaft is also new but will check
- Panhard bushes, radius arm bushes are new Superpro bushes well lubed with extra silicone grease
- swivels, wheel bearings all new

Will jack up the front and check everything for any movement just to be safe

I’m planning to tackle the leaking head coolant plug this weekend. With the manifold etc. off, coolant drained… While I’m at it I’m planning to remove and check the water pump + PAS pump to rule them out of the equation…
Anything else I should pay attention to that wasn’t mentioned yet?

All suggestions greatly appreciated