1972 Series III 109 questions

G

Greg

Guest

• Aug 8, 2006

• #1

I've just bought one of the above and need a little advice please:

In what circumstances is a steering damper fitted?, mine has the mountings
but no damper and Haynes doesn't appear to mention one.

Just how much play should there be in the steering?, I'm seeing about 3
inches movement of the steering wheel rim without movement of the wheels.

Greg

 

L

Lee_D

Guest

• Aug 8, 2006

• #2

Greg <[email protected]> uttered summat worrerz funny
about:
> I've just bought one of the above and need a little advice please:
>
> In what circumstances is a steering damper fitted?, mine has the
> mountings but no damper and Haynes doesn't appear to mention one.
>
> Just how much play should there be in the steering?, I'm seeing about
> 3 inches movement of the steering wheel rim without movement of the
> wheels.
>
> Greg

I'd have said off the top of my head one inch either way on the outer
circumference from centre before expexting the slack to be taken up. It will
be worth checking / replacing the 6 track rod ends that make up the system
and check the steering relay which goes through the chassis for movement
other than that it was designed for. Any other slop will be in the steering
box it's self but it's amazing just how much can be got rid of by doing the
above.

As for the damper, if it's not got a wobble on at around 40 to 50 mph then
it should be fine. Some had them and some didn't, some mask the signs of
worn swivel pins (not the end of the world by any strech).

Lee D

 

A

Andrew Mawson

Guest

• Aug 8, 2006

• #3

"Greg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've just bought one of the above and need a little advice please:
>
> In what circumstances is a steering damper fitted?, mine has the
mountings
> but no damper and Haynes doesn't appear to mention one.
>
> Just how much play should there be in the steering?, I'm seeing
about 3
> inches movement of the steering wheel rim without movement of the
wheels.
>
> Greg
>
>

Greg (oh and hello - over here from uk.rec.models.engineering for a
change ?)

My Civi Series iii 109 didn't have one fitted. I think most of the ex
military ones did have it fitted. Excess play on mine turned out to be
the railko bushes in the swivle housings not having been shimmed
correctly by the previous owner. You need to get an assistant to rock
the wheel whilst you put your hand across each potential play point in
turn - it could simply be a worn trackrod end.

AWEM

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Aug 8, 2006

• #4

On or around Tue, 8 Aug 2006 19:18:04 +0100, "Greg"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>I've just bought one of the above and need a little advice please:
>
>In what circumstances is a steering damper fitted?, mine has the mountings
>but no damper and Haynes doesn't appear to mention one.
>
>Just how much play should there be in the steering?, I'm seeing about 3
>inches movement of the steering wheel rim without movement of the wheels.

that's excellent for a series

seriously though - check all the ball joints, there are lots.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine... War is hell"
Gen. Sherman (1820-1891) Attr. words in Address at Michigan Military
Academy, 19 June 1879.

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Aug 8, 2006

• #5

On or around Tue, 08 Aug 2006 20:38:52 +0100, Austin Shackles
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>On or around Tue, 8 Aug 2006 19:18:04 +0100, "Greg"
><[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>>I've just bought one of the above and need a little advice please:
>>
>>In what circumstances is a steering damper fitted?, mine has the mountings
>>but no damper and Haynes doesn't appear to mention one.
>>
>>Just how much play should there be in the steering?, I'm seeing about 3
>>inches movement of the steering wheel rim without movement of the wheels.
>
>that's excellent for a series
>
>seriously though - check all the ball joints, there are lots.

Oh, and BTW - I took the damper off mine, it was restricting the steering,
leading to even worse turning circle than usual. Dampers are optional on
series...
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"The boys are dreaming wicked or of the bucking ranches of the night and
the jollyrodgered sea." Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953) Under milk wood

 

J

JD

Guest

• Aug 8, 2006

• #6

Greg wrote:

> I've just bought one of the above and need a little advice please:
>
> In what circumstances is a steering damper fitted?, mine has the mountings
> but no damper and Haynes doesn't appear to mention one.
>
> Just how much play should there be in the steering?, I'm seeing about 3
> inches movement of the steering wheel rim without movement of the wheels.
>
> Greg

Steering dampers were optional only on all Series Landrovers, although some
markets at some times fitted them to all Landrovers sold.

Your steering play is excessive, although not all that bad. Get someone to
wiggle the wheel while you see where it is. Look particularly for the ball
joints at each end of the drag link from the steering box to the relay
unit, and on the drag link from there to the steering arm and both ends of
the tie rod. Also check for free play of the relay unit arms on the splines
and the pitman arm on the steering box. None of these points should have
ANY play at all. Free play in the steering box can mostly be adjusted out
(remove cover under the mudguard to get at it).

Although it may not show up on a static test like this, free play while
driving may also be from wear in the swivel bearings, wheel bearings and
spring shackle bushes.
JD

 

A

Alex

Guest

• Aug 8, 2006

• #7

On Tue, 08 Aug 2006 21:34:09 +0100, Austin Shackles
<[email protected]> wrote:

>>>I've just bought one of the above and need a little advice please:
>>>
>>>In what circumstances is a steering damper fitted?, mine has the mountings
>>>but no damper and Haynes doesn't appear to mention one.
>>>
>>>Just how much play should there be in the steering?, I'm seeing about 3
>>>inches movement of the steering wheel rim without movement of the wheels.
>>
>>that's excellent for a series
>>
>>seriously though - check all the ball joints, there are lots.
>
>Oh, and BTW - I took the damper off mine, it was restricting the steering,
>leading to even worse turning circle than usual. Dampers are optional on
>series...

They also make the steering even heavier..... I found when i fitted
one to my 109" 2.6. But then it did need one, even with new trackrod
ends and new swivel pins etc etc It used to get harmonic wobbling
after bumps in the tarmac something chronic.

Alex

 

G

Greg

Guest

• Aug 8, 2006

• #8

"Andrew Mawson" <andrew@no_spam_please_mawson.org.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Greg (oh and hello - over here from uk.rec.models.engineering for a
> change ?)

Yes tis me, I seem to have found yet another way to spend my spare time .

I was originally looking for a Defender hence my previous questions here
about engine types, but wasn't prepared to pay the silly prices they're
asking for one with a good chassis so instead have gone for a tax exempt
Series III that's had a lot of work done on it, chassis, brakes, engine
rebuild, yet was still only just over 2k so I'm happy.

> My Civi Series iii 109 didn't have one fitted. I think most of the ex
> military ones did have it fitted. Excess play on mine turned out to be
> the railko bushes in the swivle housings not having been shimmed
> correctly by the previous owner. You need to get an assistant to rock
> the wheel whilst you put your hand across each potential play point in
> turn - it could simply be a worn trackrod end.

I think from what everyone is saying it has excessive play so I'll have it
on axle stands this weekend and see if I can track down what needs
attention, many thanks to all who answered.

Greg

 

O

Oily

Guest

• Aug 8, 2006

• #9

"JD" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Greg wrote:
>
> > I've just bought one of the above and need a little advice please:
> >
> > In what circumstances is a steering damper fitted?, mine has the
mountings
> > but no damper and Haynes doesn't appear to mention one.

STC 786 if you want to fit one.

> >
> > Just how much play should there be in the steering?, I'm seeing about 3
> > inches movement of the steering wheel rim without movement of the
wheels.
> >
> > Greg
>
> Steering dampers were optional only on all Series Landrovers, although
some
> markets at some times fitted them to all Landrovers sold.
>
> Your steering play is excessive, although not all that bad. Get someone to
> wiggle the wheel while you see where it is. Look particularly for the ball
> joints at each end of the drag link from the steering box to the relay
> unit, and on the drag link from there to the steering arm and both ends of
> the tie rod. Also check for free play of the relay unit arms on the
splines

*most* likely to be these, if there's a lot of movement here, remove the
clamp bolt(s) and take off the arm(s) to check condition of splines, they
can wear quite badly in the arms but the shaft is hard and not usually worn.
Martin.

> and the pitman arm on the steering box. None of these points should have
> ANY play at all. Free play in the steering box can mostly be adjusted out
> (remove cover under the mudguard to get at it).
>
> Although it may not show up on a static test like this, free play while
> driving may also be from wear in the swivel bearings, wheel bearings and
> spring shackle bushes.
> JD

 

G

Greg

Guest

• Aug 9, 2006

• #10

"Oily" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> *most* likely to be these, if there's a lot of movement here, remove the
> clamp bolt(s) and take off the arm(s) to check condition of splines, they
> can wear quite badly in the arms but the shaft is hard and not usually
worn.
> Martin.

Yep, I've spotted that the arm on the top of the steering relay is loose on
it's splines, so can anyone recommend good mail-order suppliers of such
parts please?.
Greg

 

O

Oily

Guest

• Aug 9, 2006

• #11

"Greg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Oily" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > *most* likely to be these, if there's a lot of movement here, remove the
> > clamp bolt(s) and take off the arm(s) to check condition of splines,
they
> > can wear quite badly in the arms but the shaft is hard and not usually
> worn.
> > Martin.
>
> Yep, I've spotted that the arm on the top of the steering relay is loose
on
> it's splines, so can anyone recommend good mail-order suppliers of such
> parts please?.
> Greg
>
>
Paddock's or Richard at Beamends?

Martin