TD5 Steering Box adjustment has left very vague steering.

[Victor Charlie]

Hi,

I have a 1999 TD5 Discovery II which failed its MOT on the steering wandering.

I have changed the drag link ball joints at the suggestion of the garage. The steering box drop arm also had some play so I have adjusted it. I had to wind in the steering box adjuster quite a number of turns to remove the play.

However now the steering is really vague and un-drivable. I have to turn the steering wheel around 6" before the wheels turn!!!

Have I just cocked this up or has the adjustment just shown up a bigger problem? Like a new steering box?

Any advice would be welcomed!

Vic.

 

[CharlesY]

Hi,

I have a 1999 TD5 Discovery II which failed its MOT on the steering wandering.

I have changed the drag link ball joints at the suggestion of the garage. The steering box drop arm also had some play so I have adjusted it. I had to wind in the steering box adjuster quite a number of turns to remove the play.

However now the steering is really vague and un-drivable. I have to turn the steering wheel around 6" before the wheels turn!!!

Have I just cocked this up or has the adjustment just shown up a bigger problem? Like a new steering box?

Any advice would be welcomed!

Vic.

See RAVE .....

Adjust Steering box:
1. Loosen lock nut on steering box adjuster and
tighten adjuster until movement is removed at
universal joint.
CAUTION: Ensure that steering box is
centralised before adjustment. Never over
adjust, free play should just be eliminated.

In other words you are wiggling the steering column UJ as you snug down the adjuster, until there is JUST no free play in the column.

OK?

What did you do?

CharlesY

 

[Victor Charlie]

Hi,

Thanks for the response. I tightened the adjuster until the free play was removed at the drop arm. I didn't check the free play at the UJ.

The adjuster is only about one turn from the maximum adjustment.


I will adjust it again and see what happens .

Regards,

Vic.

 

[pindie]

Did it cure it? My td5 is an 03 and i find it wanders on certain road surfaces unless they are perfect. Can be very scary when on single country roads!

I can wiggle the UJ and there is some play but I would not call it loose as it seems to have enough to move but not to free. Does this make sense?

Thanks

 

[PASTMASTER]

Did it cure it? My td5 is an 03 and i find it wanders on certain road surfaces unless they are perfect. Can be very scary when on single country roads!

I can wiggle the UJ and there is some play but I would not call it loose as it seems to have enough to move but not to free. Does this make sense?

Thanks

My TD5 started to wander on camber last year - turned out the tracking was way out. Check that first (easiest way is to look for tyre wear on the shoulders). Btw most tyre people can CHECK your tracking but won't adjust it - seems to be a bit too specialist for them.

 

[niggyd]

Hello every body im new to the forum and also new to the disco game.I have a 2000 w td5 auto which has play in the steering but only to the left, there is no play what so ever to the right.I would very grateful if anybody has an answer to this.

 

[thebiglad]

Hi,

I have a 1999 TD5 Discovery II which failed its MOT on the steering wandering.

I have changed the drag link ball joints at the suggestion of the garage. The steering box drop arm also had some play so I have adjusted it. I had to wind in the steering box adjuster quite a number of turns to remove the play.

However now the steering is really vague and un-drivable. I have to turn the steering wheel around 6" before the wheels turn!!!

Have I just cocked this up or has the adjustment just shown up a bigger problem? Like a new steering box?

Any advice would be welcomed!

Vic.

Hi Vic, when I do this adjustment I have found that it takes only tiny adjustments to make a big difference. I do 1/8 of a turn at a time.


I fear you have cocked-up


Dave