Dodgy steering

Morning all.
Recently bought a Series 3 109 & am not happy with the way it steers. I've had Landys before & know steering isn't brilliant, but this one is bad! Have replaced 6 track rod ends, checked relay & swivels for play, steering box is tight on mountings, no sign of external play in box but the damper & chassis bracket are missing. Do you think this may cause the steering to wander so much. Thanks in advance.

I doubt whether the absence of a damper will affect the wander. What tyres have you got on? I find crossplies wander more than 'modern' radials

Have you got balanced wheels on the front?

wireman said:

I doubt whether the absence of a damper will affect the wander. What tyres have you got on? I find crossplies wander more than 'modern' radials

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It's running on 235/85x16 radials with standard rims.

Rodeo Joe said:

Have you got balanced wheels on the front?

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All 4 are balanced & front wheel alignment adjusted. I think maybe steering box is knackered!

Not normal for damper to be fitted on series. Swivel housing preload set correctly is important. This is not just a lack of play but an actual load needed before the swivel moves.

tottot said:

Not normal for damper to be fitted on series. Swivel housing preload set correctly is important. This is not just a lack of play but an actual load needed before the swivel moves.

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Thanks, I'll check this out.

HOW to do available on the you tube.

tottot said:

HOW to do available on the you tube.

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Many thanks

My steering was dreadful on my 109 when I first got it. The problem was a combination of things. I replaced the track rod ends, had the tracking set, adjusted the steering box, replaced all the wheels and tyres and fitted a smaller steering wheel. It's still not brilliant but at least I can keep it in a straight line....nearly.

Col

I removed the damper on my series 88 as tester said steering too tight Years ago

I had a bit wandering and clunky steering Over potholes in last 2 weeks and just nipped up the big nuts a tad on the Drivers Side wheel bearing Also the drive member bolts were finger loose On both sides
Sorted the noise and wander

Get someone to rock the steering wheel whilst you look at the following for movement, 1 steering columnn upper clamp bracket under bonnet, steering rack support bracket to chassis, Steering relay in front chassis top and bottom arms and securing ring at steering relay base , each wheel hub trackrod to hub arms especially where they bolt to hub assembly.
Check steering relay actually has oil in it in its self is a damper.

Good shout Blackburn my mot man found that the 3 long bolts were loose on the steering support bracket to chassis and also the box to top of bracket bolts , one of them things you can’t Check alone

Check the panhard rod bushes and also rear trailing arm bushes can make the car wander

Series different to defender

johnlad said:

Check the panhard rod bushes and also rear trailing arm bushes can make the car wander

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Lol

Rodeo Joe said:

Lol

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Yeah me bad

johnlad said:

Yeah me bad

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You're quite right though if me defender was wayward its the first place I'd look.

steve2286w said:

Good shout Blackburn my mot man found that the 3 long bolts were loose on the steering support bracket to chassis and also the box to top of bracket bolts , one of them things you can’t Check alone

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This happened to me, but I'm MOT exempt, found it by chance. Its impossible to check alone, I only found it because there were some rust streeks that made me look further. Bolts felt tight but were thread bound and not clamping.