Disco 2 TD5 ES steering box and SRS Problem

So today I had to have a new steering box to get my 1999 TD5 ES through the MOT, together with lower front shock bushes and handbrake shoes. A bill for £800 ish and you think it would all be fine and dandy. However, when I collected the vehicle the SRS light stays on and none of the controls on the steering wheel work.

Phoned the garage and they say coincidence but is that likely or is it more likely that something was damaged or displaced in fitting the steering box or new shock bushes? I have also noticed a slight rattle in the steering wheel itself that wasn't there before.

Any ideas welcomed before I go back to the garage for a discussion!

when realigning steering wheel after fitting pas box you are supposed to remove refit steering linkage to find center for road wheels and steering wheels with fine tuning done on drag link ,they were probably trying to do this by removing steering wheel disturbing or breaking steering cassette

I wonder if that's what they did. I did go to an independent Land Rover specialist with a very good reputation.

there isnt many good mechanics now at lot of the factory trained old guys have gone,there are some but not allways easy to find

Thatsjustdandy said:

I wonder if that's what they did. I did go to an independent Land Rover specialist with a very good reputation.

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They broke your car.

Rave Warning ....

6. Using LRT-57-036 break taper joints and
remove drag link.
CAUTION: Before disconnecting any part of
the steering linkage, ensure the road wheels
are positioned straight ahead and the
steering wheel is prevented from turning.
Unrestricted turning of the steering wheel
will damage the SRS rotary coupler.

CharlesY said:

They broke your car.

Rave Warning ....

6. Using LRT-57-036 break taper joints and
remove drag link.
CAUTION: Before disconnecting any part of
the steering linkage, ensure the road wheels
are positioned straight ahead and the
steering wheel is prevented from turning.
Unrestricted turning of the steering wheel
will damage the SRS rotary coupler.

Click to expand...

Wot he said "imo"......probably spun the wheel at some point.....

Interesting comments, thank you all. I am going back to the garage to discuss this but am trying to do a bit of research first so they don't try and "blind me with science" so to speak!

Is it just possible that fuse no. 35 (in the fusebox above the drivers' footwell) has blown or does this only protect the airbag system and wouldn't affect the horn, radio controls, cruise controls etc?

Also, I note the warning about spinning the wheel when disconnecting any of the steering linkages but could any damage be caused to the rotary coupling just from work carried out below the car? For example if impact force was used to release tight bolts etc - i.e. could this be transmitted up the column and damage the coupling? I would have thought that the steering lock would have prevented the steering wheel turning whilst the box was being replaced.

I don't want to go in making accusations when I cannot prove it is their fault but on the other hand I would like them to be able to prove it wasn't their fault.

thats the problem it could just be coinedence, it could get damaged be by been turned by too far ,not centerd when refitting linkage

Thatsjustdandy said:

So today I had to have a new steering box to get my 1999 TD5 ES through the MOT, together with lower front shock bushes and handbrake shoes. A bill for £800 ish and you think it would all be fine and dandy. However, when I collected the vehicle the SRS light stays on and none of the controls on the steering wheel work.

Phoned the garage and they say coincidence but is that likely or is it more likely that something was damaged or displaced in fitting the steering box or new shock bushes? I have also noticed a slight rattle in the steering wheel itself that wasn't there before.

Any ideas welcomed before I go back to the garage for a discussion!

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No way would I buy that old well worn excuse.

I think I would be having a quiet chat with the boss there and explaining its not acceptable for the vehicle to be handed back with new faults that were not there when you dropped it off.

My guess is that they didnt follow RAVE and heed the warning re the srs coupler.

Alot of Landy specialists are fine working on Defenders and early Landys but the Disco 2 is a different beast entirely.

Hope you get it sorted.

Well thank you all! Went back and stated my case and they have put their hands up. being repaired at their cost next week. Result!

Thatsjustdandy said:

Well thank you all! Went back and stated my case and they have put their hands up. being repaired at their cost next week. Result!

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Keep calm ... celebrate when the job is done!