Erratic steering on P38

[Frostycab]

Hi everyone, quick question regarding my new P38.

Just bought the car through Ebay and I'm very pleased with it all except for the steering.

It seems to have a mind of its own!

It feels as though its not centring properly and feels very wayward and figdity on the motorway. you'll be driving along, you steer gently to the right and it shoots off in that direction like its being pulled slightly. It just feels a bit loose and sloppy

Any ideas where to start as this is my first rangie and my experience has always been with my trusty old VW's up till now!

 

[dogsbody]

These don't like unusual tyres or bad pressure settings, yopu could start there.

There's a steering damper, like a shock absorber, on the steering assembly. Disconnect one end and see how much resistance you get moving it in and out. If it's too easy then it needs replacing.

The steering box can be adjusted which might tighten the steering and then there's the bushes. If you're not sure about these, and as a couple of the bushes need a press to fit, you might want to get another opinion, perhaps from a local indie.

 

[dogsbody]

It's always worthwhile to put your location on your details. There might be someone on here who's local to you and might be bribed with cuppas and biccies to have a nose around your new toy.

 

[Frostycab]

Good idea! Have updated that,

My Rangie came with a set of 18" disco alloys on it, would that cause an issue?

I'll have to crawl under today and take a butchers, impressed as this would be day 2 of ownership!

 

[Datatek]

Worn drag link and track rod bearings are a common cause of steering wander, a tiny amount of play causes havoc. If the wheels do not fit properly or need spigot rings is another possibility.

 

[Frostycab]

Daft question, but if the alignment needs checked, can I take it to any old tyre place or would you recommend it goes to an indy?

 

[Frostycab]

Oh and if it help, I'm in Dunbar in East Lothian, plenty of tea, biccies, bacon butties and banter if anyone is up for having a quick gander.

 

[clarkie]

do you have 18'' rims with half worn tyres or less ? if so it sound about normal as they tend to tram line and pick up all the road imperfections with this set up,you'll get used to it

 

[Frostycab]

Well, I checked it today and noticed that the steering damper is looking quite oily also noticed what looked like fresh oil around the bottom of the drivers side hub, can't see where its coming from to be honest but its dripped a little oil onto the tyre as well... eek!

I've ordered a damper as they're pretty cheap (£15 + vat!). I also got some spares with the car and found a new genuine landrover drag link among the goodies so I'll fit them and see if that helps. Its the one from the steering box to the hub I think.

Going to double check the tire pressures and see it that helps too. I'll post back and let you guys know how I get on.

 

[steve's P38 RR]

Its normal jusy live with it or change to 16's if you want it to drive better my mate did all drag links all bushes on complete car and changed the steering box and its still the same.

 

[roddy4]

Hi everyone, quick question regarding my new P38.

Just bought the car through Ebay and I'm very pleased with it all except for the steering.

It seems to have a mind of its own!

It feels as though its not centring properly and feels very wayward and figdity on the motorway. you'll be driving along, you steer gently to the right and it shoots off in that direction like its being pulled slightly. It just feels a bit loose and sloppy

Any ideas where to start as this is my first rangie and my experience has always been with my trusty old VW's up till now!

welcome to the wacky world of p38's, you will find they are a bit like that,and it is worse the bigger the wheels mine is on 18's and it wanders about,the ideal is 16's. 22 inch wheels are a no no.
however get it checked for tracking,tyre pressures (mine is 28 front 38 rear psi)check drag link and balljoints and suspension bushes,process of elimination.on the front that is,and check the shocks and airbags.(suspension airbags that is lol)

 

[wammers]

Check that the steering box is centralised properly. That being incorrect is a know cause of steering wander. See RAVE tech bulletins.

 

[Frostycab]

Thanks for all the advice, as previously asked can any old tire place like kwik fit check the alignment (although maybe not them exactly... did work experience there and I could tell you some horror stories!!)

As for the steering box being centralised, my steering wheel doesn't sit central when driving along but then the previous owner did change the steering wheel so its maybe a sline or two out.

Or is this a specialist job? Going to change that drag link as its there and its free and then get the alignment checked obviously and if that doesn't do anything I will just have to live with it!

 

[wammers]

Thanks for all the advice, as previously asked can any old tire place like kwik fit check the alignment (although maybe not them exactly... did work experience there and I could tell you some horror stories!!)

As for the steering box being centralised, my steering wheel doesn't sit central when driving along but then the previous owner did change the steering wheel so its maybe a sline or two out.

Or is this a specialist job? Going to change that drag link as its there and its free and then get the alignment checked obviously and if that doesn't do anything I will just have to live with it!

The steering box must be centralised first, see RAVE tech bulletins. THEN remove steering wheel and centre that. When you change drag link do it with wheels straight ahead and adjust it's length until steering wheel is central again. Steering box MUST be correct first. If lock stops have not been moved,when you turn steering fully to right onto lock stop, steering wheel should be in straight ahead position.

 

[Frostycab]

Cheers, downloading RAVE as we speak.

 

[kooky_guy]

As mentioned previously, the P38 is very fussy about tyres on 18 inch rims. What you got on it?

I had Pirelli Scorpion STRs put on mine by mistake (not my mistake - tyre place couldn't read) and it was positively dangerous on them. It's fine on GG AT2s although following an axle change the steering is now offset slightly so it sounds like I need to check my steering box centralisation too.

As for wheel alignment, any competent tyre place should be able to do it. Unfortunately there are a lot of incompetent (or just lazy) ones around - the last place I took mine to took 5 hours and the steering was still offset when they finally handed it back.

Wammers, where do I find the technical bulletins? Are they included in Rave itself?

 

[wammers]

As mentioned previously, the P38 is very fussy about tyres on 18 inch rims. What you got on it?

I had Pirelli Scorpion STRs put on mine by mistake (not my mistake - tyre place couldn't read) and it was positively dangerous on them. It's fine on GG AT2s although following an axle change the steering is now offset slightly so it sounds like I need to check my steering box centralisation too.

As for wheel alignment, any competent tyre place should be able to do it. Unfortunately there are a lot of incompetent (or just lazy) ones around - the last place I took mine to took 5 hours and the steering was still offset when they finally handed it back.

Wammers, where do I find the technical bulletins? Are they included in Rave itself?

Yes they should be. On one of my copies there is a splash screen where you can select from Rangie, Disco, Defender, Freelander. When you select Range Rover you get another splash screen with the aforementioned choices plus Tech bulletins, tech info, test book, general info and a Rave tutorial. When you select tech bulls you get a choice of vehicles, choose Range rover you then get a choice of year for tech bulls. Somewhere in there is the info you need. Describes how to centralise both types of steering boxes and locking pins required. Don't think this info is in Rave it's self. It also has lots of other very good info that is not included in the RAVE pages. How to seal leaking boot and how to get rid of unexplained book symbol on Hevac for instance. Good reading and very informative.

 

[kooky_guy]

Yes they should be. On one of my copies there is a splash screen where you can select from Rangie, Disco, Defender, Freelander. When you select Range Rover you get another splash screen with the aforementioned choices plus Tech bulletins, tech info, test book, general info and a Rave tutorial. When you select tech bulls you get a choice of vehicles, choose Range rover you then get a choice of year for tech bulls. Somewhere in there is the info you need. Describes how to centralise both types of steering boxes and locking pins required. Don't think this info is in Rave it's self. It also has lots of other very good info that is not included in the RAVE pages. How to seal leaking boot and how to get rid of unexplained book symbol on Hevac for instance. Good reading and very informative.

Thanks Wammers,

Not got that on the copy I've got here at the office - I'll have to check what I've got on the machine at home.

 

[Frostycab]

Ok update,

Tires are Goodyear Wranglers 255/55/R18 and look to have plenty of meat in them.

I fitted the steering damper today and what a difference. It feels a lot better. While under there I checked the drag links and I can wobble the bars back and forth, there is a little resistance but not enough to say they were heavily worn. not sure how much play is acceptable on a big old girl like this but compared to the new one in the shed I think I may just change them over to be on the safe side.

The steering damper wouldn't mask slope in the links would it. sorry for all the daft questions but 4x4's are a new thing to me. this would be the first car I've ever owned with a steering damper!

 

[wammers]

Ok update,

Tires are Goodyear Wranglers 255/55/R18 and look to have plenty of meat in them.

I fitted the steering damper today and what a difference. It feels a lot better. While under there I checked the drag links and I can wobble the bars back and forth, there is a little resistance but not enough to say they were heavily worn. not sure how much play is acceptable on a big old girl like this but compared to the new one in the shed I think I may just change them over to be on the safe side.

The steering damper wouldn't mask slope in the links would it. sorry for all the daft questions but 4x4's are a new thing to me. this would be the first car I've ever owned with a steering damper!

On TREs you can have slight up and down movement but no lateral movement at all.