Disco 300tdi Steering Problems

I have a really worying problem with my steering that happens maybe once a fortnight that I could do with some advice on.

when going round a sharp left hand bend at a T junction for example there is a slight tug on the steering wheel which feels lile the nearside front wheel has gone over a patch of ice. Also at high speed the steering can feel very vague for a few moments which is VERY worying (again a very random problem, maybe once every 200 miles or so). Tyres are all ok as are wheel bearings so the probhlem lies elsewhere. If I get the front wheels of the ground and push them from side to side you can feel an uneven resistance in the steering

My local garage says to investigate it could cost up to £200 just for the diagnosis then more for the parts plus even more cash for the labour (sounds like a license to print money) so I'm wondering if it might in the long run be cheaper to replace the steering rack and hope the problem lies there. I'm not that flushed with cash rght now so I dont know what to do for the best.

Any advice would be welcome

Firsty I'd check you tie rod ends mate.... Jack the car up at the front and give the wheels a tug side to side and check to see if there is any play in the ends there are 4 of them so that could cause the vague ness other than that it does sound like your steering box is shot.

Would agree with rooky - even one badly worn end can result in odd (scary) steering .
If the ends are OK swivel bearing preload can have a huge effect on the steering - you need to get them checked by someone familiar with Land Rovers .
The Discovery has a steering box rather than a steering rack - can't see the box causing your problem though .

firstly disconnect the steering arm from the steering box, then see if that changes anything, if its still there i would pop off each ball joint one by one and check them, if they are ok disconnect both wheels from the steering arms and check them as it could be the internals of the front swivel balls

Another vote for track rod ends.

Sounds the same as when mine had gone

V8_Disco said:

firstly disconnect the steering arm from the steering box, then see if that changes anything, if its still there i would pop off each ball joint one by one and check them, if they are ok disconnect both wheels from the steering arms and check them as it could be the internals of the front swivel balls

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I think it would change his ability to go round corners:doh:

GRATCH said:

I think it would change his ability to go round corners:doh:

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wel i was assuming anyone reading my post would have a brain cell and would do all of it while the front end was lifted off the ground :doh:

V8_Disco said:

wel i was assuming anyone reading my post would have a brain cell and would do all of it while the front end was lifted off the ground :doh:

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So how would you check 'the vagueness at high speed' then

petehammond said:

If I get the front wheels of the ground and push them from side to side you can feel an uneven resistance in the steering

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Gratch , The vague steering is one issue, uneven resistance in the steering system is what i would check out first to solve it

On the point of uneven resistance could the steering damper be at fault .
As its basically like a shock absorber fitted sideways .
And sometimes when you test a shock out of the car over its full length of travel you will find very uneven resistance .
You could disconnect one end of the damper and just pull and push it through the ful range of travel - see if its even , or is there a very loose/tight spot ?

I would give a vote for track rod ends.....My 1994 was the same and the higher the speed the more vague the steering was. This was due to the 2 rear track rod end being worn and the faster you went the weight of the wehicle is tranfered from the front to the rear of the vehicle. Thus with the rod ends being worn it was trying to splay out the front wheels and therefore you had less tyre tread in contact with the road surface making the steering light and vague.

The problem could also be lying in the steering box...

Ok serious answer if you have checked things other people have mentioned and not found anything then have a look at the u/j's on the lower steering column (between the steering box and steering column) as these can wear/seize.