defender steering frightening

got a issue with my steering,the defenders gone very difficult to keep in a strait line,its all over the place if i hit a pothole it throws it everywhere,as far as i can tell all the joints and uj,s are good,no play in them, recon steering box fitted a year ago,could this be a damper on its way out?

have you checked swivels, with damper removed ,tracking ,bushes

jamesmartin said:

have you checked swivels, with damper removed ,tracking ,bushes

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swivels and bushes seem ok,no leaks and no movement

i'd say you need to look again. don't forget the droparm joint.

trax said:

i'd say you need to look again. don't forget the droparm joint.

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i found the nut on the drop arm loose from the steering box change,tightened it up with a grips how tight should it be?

breaker bar tight

dont forget a little copper grease before the breaker bar tightening - it may need to come back off if its not that!!!

jamesmartin said:

breaker bar tight

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will get strait on that ,its not tight

Daft thought - has the drop arm nut got the lock tab washer fitted?

Check the panhard rod bushes as well, get someone to turn the steering wheel and check to see if there's any play, even slightly worn bushes can cause this, had it not long ago, £5 for a set of bushes, press old ones out, new ones in. Nice easy job, unless you don't have a press! Then it can be a right b*astard!

And maybe also the trailing arm bushes

Chris of Land Rover Toolbox on YouTube has got a few good videos on the subject.

Steering checks basics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcKU6-664Pk

Wheel bearing and swivel pin check
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p8BRllT0OI

TheJoker said:

Chris of Land Rover Toolbox on YouTube has got a few good videos on the subject.

Steering checks basics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcKU6-664Pk

Wheel bearing and swivel pin check
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p8BRllT0OI

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cheers mate

I had a similar problem recently mines had a tendency to try and commit suicide by veering to left at 40mph. I jacked it up and checked each corner found play in one of the front swivels a rear wheel bearing and couple of the steering ball joints. I've since replaced ball joints wheel bearings and overhauled the swivels and had the wheel alignment done and now it's like a totally diffrent Land Rover to drive. Worth will just checking every part of the steering as it's quite a complicated system and if one or two items have play this can make things dangerous.

Its funny how these defects creep up on you.

I found I was constantly turning the wheel not appreciating there was at least 4" of free play in the steering. Turned out one track rod end was totally knackered and the panhard bushes were allowing visible movement of the axle laterally!!!!

I had driven in this state for months and only realised when I went on a long trip with a strong tail wind - the car felt lethal when braking, as indeed it very nearly was.

Sorted mine last week, steering drop arm ball joint,


Remember it could be a little play in everything that adds up to a lot

Worth checking the little UJs on the steering between steering wheel and steering box also. hope you find the problem!

As crowmann was saying they certainly do creep up on you!

well it got worse today,its now vibrating through the steering wheel and the whole landy driving at 60 was horrible

If the drop arm was loose there's a good chance that the tracking is now out. Also check that the radius and trialing arm to chassis & Aframe bushes are ok. Bit of rear wheel steer will soon have you filling ya kecks.

Pikey said:

If the drop arm was loose there's a good chance that the tracking is now out. Also check that the radius and trialing arm to chassis & Aframe bushes are ok. Bit of rear wheel steer will soon have you filling ya kecks.

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the thing was snaking almost on the m way understeer by the bag loads