Nerocuba
Active Member
Thank you very much.... The track rod is rattling against it like mad.... I'm assuming that isn't normal? Any ideas of how to resolve this?
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Track rod might be bent. Replace with new or upgrade to HD ones.
Nerocuba
Active Member
Oh god, that's all I need, I'm beginning to regret buying this thing now. Thanks for advice.
Pappasmurf
Well-Known Member
It's a Defender, this is just the beginning.
Nerocuba
Active Member
It is.... I am still regretting it. I bought it because it has a galvanised chassis and thought that would be a solid starting point but it seems that the chassis is the only good thing about it. I started it yesterday after been stood for a week and the blue smoke that poured out of it was ridiculous.....once it was warm it was fine. The clutch is also gone and its in desperate need of a paint.... Got the clutch and waiting to have it fitted., then have to sort that track rod thingy.... I assume it is bent because the steering doesn't feel right... When you turn, it has easy points and hard points, if that makes sense?it isn't smooth through the whole turning process.i can only hope it is bent and nothing more serious is going on. ££££Guessing that photo isn't your then..
Pappasmurf
Well-Known Member
Welcome to Defender ownership. Did no one tell you that theres no such thing as a perfect Defender?
dag019
Well-Known Member
I disagree, there is, and it is mine
regardless of its current list of problems!
Nerocuba
Active Member
No, I wasn't told a thing.... This is steep and expensive learning curve
dag019
Well-Known Member
if the tack rod is bent and catching on that bracket this may well be the tight spot you mention as the resistance will increase as it is dragged across the surface. This should be fairly easy to see as the bracket is soft aluminium and the track rod is steel so if they are rubbing there will be an obvious witness mark on the bracket.
Nerocuba
Active Member
I'm having the shocks and springs done next weekend as I want the 2 inch lift taken off and putting back to standard, so I'll ask the chap to have a look at the track rod and steering issue just hope it is that and nothing more sinister.
Pappasmurf
Well-Known Member
Oops. Yeah research. Google is king. Fortunately, after 18 years of driving them in the army, I knew what money pits, and how much hard work they are.
Nerocuba
Active Member
That does make sense and there will definitely be marks as it rattles and vibrates against the bracket at certain revs and idle... The quote from the previous owner "I haven't done any off roading in her whatsoever"..... Yeah right.
Pappasmurf
Well-Known Member
Heres a tip. Learn to do as much as possible yourself. It will save you a very large fortune in garage labour fees.
Nerocuba
Active Member
Google is goo but I find searching this forum a better first point of contact because there is a lot of experienced owners, like yourself, with tons of good advice, so thanks once again.
Pappasmurf
Well-Known Member
I agree, but Google gives you snippets from other forums as well. It also points you to YouTube videos.
