Discovery TD5 Vague Steering

The steering on my '03 Disco fells a little vague in the centre position, I
can turn the wheel around 10-15 degrees without any effect on the direction.
Is this normal for the car (just traded from a Freelander) or is it
something that needs attention? Also the nearside headlight is misted up,
the delaer says it is because it has been jet washed and will clear but I
reckon it should be swapped under warranty, any advice appreciated.

Andy

<2003 Discovery TD5 ES Manual>

Sorry I can't type, that should read feels a little vague !!!

"Andrew Cooke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The steering on my '03 Disco fells a little vague in the centre position,
> I can turn the wheel around 10-15 degrees without any effect on the
> direction. Is this normal for the car (just traded from a Freelander) or
> is it something that needs attention? Also the nearside headlight is
> misted up, the delaer says it is because it has been jet washed and will
> clear but I reckon it should be swapped under warranty, any advice
> appreciated.
>
> Andy
>
> <2003 Discovery TD5 ES Manual>
>

> The steering on my '03 Disco fells a little vague in the centre position,
I
> can turn the wheel around 10-15 degrees without any effect on the
direction.
> Is this normal for the car (just traded from a Freelander)

*** No, & will likely be an MOT failure. A tiny bit of play is OK, I think
it's up to an inch at the wheel.

or is it
> something that needs attention? Also the nearside headlight is misted up,
> the delaer says it is because it has been jet washed and will clear but I
> reckon it should be swapped under warranty, any advice appreciated.

I have had the same, run it for a week or so with the headlights on dipped
beam while you drive or take a hairdryer to it.
If it doesn't clear or re-mists there's a problem. It may be the seal
between the glass and the metal or it may be a duff rubber seal if they have
them.

TonyB

"TonyB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>> The steering on my '03 Disco fells a little vague in the centre position,
> I
>> can turn the wheel around 10-15 degrees without any effect on the
> direction.
>> Is this normal for the car (just traded from a Freelander)

Not normal at all!

>
> *** No, & will likely be an MOT failure. A tiny bit of play is OK, I think
> it's up to an inch at the wheel.

The MOT limit is 75mm free play on a system of this type (18mm for rack &
pinion, 45mm if the rack & pinion has multiple links), BUT any play at all
in the straight ahead = wear and needs sorting. maybe as simple as a quick
steering box adjustment, but maybe something a little more sinister such as
a dodgy steering u/j. Get it looked at, it ain't right.

> or is it
>> something that needs attention? Also the nearside headlight is misted up,
>> the delaer says it is because it has been jet washed and will clear but I
>> reckon it should be swapped under warranty, any advice appreciated.
>
> I have had the same, run it for a week or so with the headlights on dipped
> beam while you drive or take a hairdryer to it.
> If it doesn't clear or re-mists there's a problem. It may be the seal
> between the glass and the metal or it may be a duff rubber seal if they
> have
> them.

Shouldn't mist in the first place, tell the dealer to get it sorted and
don't take any bull**** from them. if it's misted, it's because something
isn't sealing correctly in the first place.
Badger.

Hmm

I Agree Take it Back & Get Tuff With the Dealer
Lights Should Not Mist Up & The Power Steering Seems
Dodgy
(Not Good)

Regards

Jb

"Badger" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "TonyB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>> The steering on my '03 Disco fells a little vague in the centre
>>> position,
>> I
>>> can turn the wheel around 10-15 degrees without any effect on the
>> direction.
>>> Is this normal for the car (just traded from a Freelander)
>
> Not normal at all!
>
>>
>> *** No, & will likely be an MOT failure. A tiny bit of play is OK, I
>> think
>> it's up to an inch at the wheel.
>
> The MOT limit is 75mm free play on a system of this type (18mm for rack &
> pinion, 45mm if the rack & pinion has multiple links), BUT any play at all
> in the straight ahead = wear and needs sorting. maybe as simple as a quick
> steering box adjustment, but maybe something a little more sinister such
> as a dodgy steering u/j. Get it looked at, it ain't right.
>
>> or is it
>>> something that needs attention? Also the nearside headlight is misted
>>> up,
>>> the delaer says it is because it has been jet washed and will clear but
>>> I
>>> reckon it should be swapped under warranty, any advice appreciated.
>>
>> I have had the same, run it for a week or so with the headlights on
>> dipped
>> beam while you drive or take a hairdryer to it.
>> If it doesn't clear or re-mists there's a problem. It may be the seal
>> between the glass and the metal or it may be a duff rubber seal if they
>> have
>> them.
>
> Shouldn't mist in the first place, tell the dealer to get it sorted and
> don't take any bull**** from them. if it's misted, it's because something
> isn't sealing correctly in the first place.
> Badger.
>

> Also the nearside headlight is misted up,
> the delaer says it is because it has been jet washed and will clear but I
> reckon it should be swapped under warranty, any advice appreciated.

This is fairly common if the rubber seal at the back has been displaced
or there is a crack in the glass. If the glass is damaged, take it
back for a replacement. If all seems OK, and you can't be arsed to
take it back, it is easy to take out the light unit, remove the bulb,
and dry it out. But be warned - it can take ages. I had to do this on
mine, and even with swabbing it out with kitchen towels on the end of a
stick (good practice if you ever want to be a gynaecologist) and
blowing a hair dryer in, it took about 3 goes before it could cool down
without misting again. Took me the best part of a day before I was
happy to put it back in. No problems since.

If it was as a result of a jet wash then, unless they were jet washing
the inside of the engine bay, the water has come in from the front,
which means the unit itself is leaking. Take it back.

HTH

DaveP