Hi folks, I know this subject has been discussed many times but I can't really find an answer to my problem.

I have a nice 97 Tdi, bought 2 years ago but stored in a dry garage until recently when I got a new MOT. Here in NI, for the test, the wheels are driven onto a moving platform and the tester can check closely for any movement or wear in the suspension, it's fairly thorough, and all was ok.

I have always noticed that the steering/handling seemed a bit vague, more so on minor roads. My brother borrowed it a few days ago and highlighted this, he reckoned it was bordering on the dangerous compared to his own similar Disco.

There's no play in the steering, I suspected the shock absorbers so ordered a set from my local motor factor, I must admit I was surprised how cheap they were but I suppose they should do the job as this vehicle won't see a lot of use. I fitted the rears but noticed no improvement, in fact the originals seemed as tight as the new ones. At the front the lower mountings have thwarted me so far and I haven't tried again. I had one top turret off and the old shock seemed tight enough.

I can't think of any other checks, tyres are newish, Michelin front and Goodyear at the back.

Anyone any ideas or advice please?

Hi
You could have the following

A bit of play in each of the track rods
Pannard rod bushes
Tight steering UJs
Swivel bushes
All these may not be picked up fully on the MOT wobble machine.

Get someone to gently wobble the steering wheel left/right this should show some play.

If you think it's a shock press hard down on the wing to feel resistance & see if it comes back up & not like a boat

My 1998 300TDI was like that, little play in the steering when static but I eventually found lots of play in the lower UJ just in front of the steering box. On the road that play showed up just as you describe.

Don't forget to check the rear end suspension and trailing arms too. I had a nightmare trip back from Wales once, exact symptoms you describe and the trailing arm bolt/nut had come undoe! Dunno how, it's a large Nyloc nut!

I've just checked the front end suspension, no wear in any of the joints, no stiffness, and I took off one end of the steering damper and checked that it was ok. Haven't yet checked the rear as advised though I've only covered 400 miles since MOT.

I've arranged to get the bottoms of the front shocks cut out tomorrow, seems to be the usual method of removal. Seems a very poor design. I'm hoping new shocks will help.

Many thanks for the comments

Stiff or partially seized steering column ujs. Drown them in thin oil, work them around for a bit then try it and see if it improves on the road.

Update on this. I took the Disco to a local mechanic who removed the bottom front shock mounts using his ''hot spanner" I wasn't very keen on this method but it only took a very short time to burn the ends off and left no heat marks that I could see.
I've now fitted the new shocks although old ones seemed nice and tight when removed. Steering now much better at speed or on bad roads. Just shows, you can't really judge shocks by extending and compressing them.