Another issue with my disco 2

Thanks for the help with my first post on here guys.

My other problem is regarding the ride feel. It seems to be very light and the slightest bump wiggles the steering wheel which makes it feel like its wandering about. It doesn't quite feel safe. This is on day to day town driving. I have had the tracking done and had the ACE system replaced and serviced which helped a great deal.

Also, forgot to mention, there seems to be a patch of fluid leaking. The patch is underneath the very front of the car on the drivers side. Its definatley not engine oil. And I have had a quick check of fluids underneath the bonnet and all seems ok.

Anyone else had this issue?

check the steering box and associated pipes put steering central and check for free play you can either look at botom of steering box while somone rocks steering wheel or try and feel it in the wheel yourself, check/replace steering damper

doublem1 said:

Thanks for the help with my first post on here guys.

My other problem is regarding the ride feel. It seems to be very light and the slightest bump wiggles the steering wheel which makes it feel like its wandering about. It doesn't quite feel safe. This is on day to day town driving. I have had the tracking done and had the ACE system replaced and serviced which helped a great deal.

Also, forgot to mention, there seems to be a patch of fluid leaking. The patch is underneath the very front of the car on the drivers side. Its definatley not engine oil. And I have had a quick check of fluids underneath the bonnet and all seems ok.

Anyone else had this issue?

Click to expand...

Does the oil look red in colour? If yes it'll be the powered steering system. First check the level in the pas reservoir, then do the checks as outlined by James.

I agree.. Very common Disco problem.. I had very light steering too and wandering across the road. It seemed tight, but when I checked the drop arm from the steering box, it was covered in oil. The bottom seal on the steering box went. It cost roughly £280 for a recon one. I fitted it myself.. It did take most of the day the first time I did it.. If you are competent, it is not an issue to replace and good fun to do...

Once I changed it, it was remarkable the difference. The steering was direct and smooth. No wondering and absolutely tight as a tory spin doctor! A thing of beauty..

Good luck and panic not! There are plenty of threads on it here with loads of pics and guides!

MudRat

Thanks for the replies guys, a great help!! I have looked under the front and I think the leak is associated with the foremost bar/rod. Theres a rubber seal or bush each end and one of them is very wet with something.

I would love to see a guide on how to change the steering box!

Is it auto or manual. I had a patch of fluid on the drivers side at the very front of the car shortly before it blew the pipe off the auto box oil cooler.

It's a manual. Might crawl underneath and have a good poke about. Probably the best idea. I'll try and find out where/what is leaking.

Getting underneath and looking is definitely a good start!

Right, I have had a good smooch underneath and I am sure it is the steering box. The rod attached to the spindle underneath is soaked in a liquid of some kind. It is not red however. I have a looked through this guide:

Replacing a power steering box. - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum

But from underneath the bonnet is does not look that accessible.

Would there be any chance that one or more of the ACE pipes have been left in situ as the front pipes are connected to the actuator around the area under the battery .I removed my ACE but left the pipes there and tied up the open ports with rubber glove fingers and still managed to get some leaks,despite the fact there was no pressure..

Before you spend big money check the bottle jack in the battery compartment. I thought my ACE was leaking - turned out to be the bottle jack.

Also, check the red plug on the ECU in the battery compartment to see if it is covered with oil.

I had a TD5 once where the oil contamination was so bad and for so long that it had dripped through the bottom of the battery box and onto the underneath.

IF you have oil on the red plug it means the injector harness O-rings have failed. This can be resolved by replacing just the O-rings or the injector harness complete - cost about £30.

Thanks for the help guys. I am going to be doing this soon. How much power steering fluid will I need to buy to fiill it back up? And also what stuff do I get as mine has ACE and I am told it is different stuff?

Any help on this would be very much apprechiated.