Bad tramlining issues

Hi all,

Brain picking time.

My p38 DSE auto is tramling / self steering really badly.

I am getting to my wits end so thought I would ask here. It seems to pull left (ruts) and almost feels as though front or rear axle is self steering.

I have done the following,

Changed hockey sticks
Anti roll bar bushes
Front and rear drag links
new airbags, pump and valve block,
Steering box adjusted (Land Rover specialist)
Panhard rod changed

All bushes checked and tight

Rear axles all bushes checked with a long bar and tight.

Steering shock absorber changed.

I cant think of anything else to check.

Any idea's?

Thanks

Ray

its a commen problem they do tram alot but tire pressure makes it worse

I appreciate they dont like 18's much.

My other P38 is fine, I test drove another P38 DSE yesterday and that was fine also (169k miles and a knackered steering link bar).

I'm wandering if I need to change the shock absorbers as they are still the original fluid filled ones.

As I say this is exceptionally bad, to the point that going down country lanes is like driving on ice in that one is constanly over compensating to keep straight. In fact the last experience I had like this was when I was 17 driving a mark 2 Cortina (Showing my age now!)

Trying swapping the front wheels and tyres from your other p38 ,you never know

Try dropping the rear tyre pressures to 28psi from the recommended 38psi. Mine is perfect with the lower pressure when unloaded but wanders a bit on the higher pressure unless loaded.

Changing shocks makes a huge difference...or did on mine. Had exactly the same as you felt as though it was driving on ice, lower bushes on the back dampers were crumbling away. Changed all 4 with terrrafirmas in a couple of hours for 100 squids.

when you take the retainer straps off the new shocks they push out to full length and it takes some effort to get them back in.

unlike the ones I removed, they just stayed at whatever they were told and you could hear all the gas in the fluid as you moved them through the travel. The resistance on the travel varied immensely with points where there was no damping - so they were well and truly for the scrap pile.

Hi

Thanks for the feedback. Tyre / wheel change makes no difference.

I'll try the shocks and see where that takes me

What make and type of tyre are you running on, all the same or mixed, how worn are they?

Falkens (Had them on my Pajero).

Done 1000 miles

Did swap out with Pirelli's from 4.6 (which is fine) and it was exactly the same

just had my steering box changed and a new drag link end put on and steering set up by a guy on here .massive improvement

The problem is probably the front ball joints that are pressed into the axle they usually start to fail about 50 to 60k and most people do nothing I had exactly the same problem changed the ball joints and problem gone mine drives brilliantly no tramlining what so ever I run two sets of wheels 19 in for road and 18 s in winter and off road not all tramlining disappeared after doing the ball joints hope this helps

sandyt said:

The problem is probably the front ball joints that are pressed into the axle they usually start to fail about 50 to 60k and most people do nothing I had exactly the same problem changed the ball joints and problem gone mine drives brilliantly no tramlining what so ever I run two sets of wheels 19 in for road and 18 s in winter and off road not all tramlining disappeared after doing the ball joints hope this helps

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That does help thanks

I'll get them checked again this week

The problem is that it is difficult to see any movement on the ball joints I chased the problem for about a year and a half replaced draglinks abs sensors shocks airbags steering box etc etc etc and it was only when I did the ball joints the pull and tramlining disappeared to the extent that I can run on odd tyre pressures and it runs straight

I'll get them checked at a specialist. Sounds promising

rayc said:

I'll get them checked at a specialist. Sounds promising

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You get problem sorted ?

V8HSE said:

You get problem sorted ?

Click to expand...

Not yet,

We're looking at the swivels / balljoints?

However, when going over a decent bump I can hear a metallic clonk like the spare being unattached in the boot.

However, all joints are tight when checked to I'm intigued. Also changing shock absorbers for gas to be sure.

Soon there won't be anything original left apart from the shell