HELP! Steering damper on 110 missing

Hello, brand new members and need advice. We recently bought a Defender 110, yr 1999, and the steering damper is missing. Been told it's unnecessary for general use, but we're having trouble with the steering. When driving the steering is sticky and slightly delayed, but when stationary there is no slack. Tracking, tyres new, balancing, bushings, steering box adjustments all recently done. Would the missing damper affect the steering or do I need to think about a replacement steering box?

Does it have POWER STEERING?
if so
Is there plenty of fluid in the reservoir, and is the drive-belt TIGHT?

Make absolutely sure that the universal joints in the steering column are in PERFECT condition. If you see ANY signs of red rust dust around the centre yokes get new UJs fitted as soon as possible.

What tyres are fitted? Are the pressures correct?


The damper not being fitted isn't the problem, and the advice you received about that is correct. If you start driving on rough stuff, a damper does help to reduce kick-back on the steering.

sticky steering and slight delay...

that sounds like the belt slipping, might need adjustment.
my old disco used to do the same after going through some water, adjust the belt (put more tension on it).. job done

Thanks Guys, we'll be out checking belt tension and joints shortly.

Hi Discord, tyres are all at 36psi. The ones on the rear are brand new General Grabber AT's, the ones on the front are little used "General" and a bit less "off road" than the new ones. They came with the vehicle so we don't know whether they are from this landy or another one. Would we do well to swap them, fronts to back?

Peter Compton said:

Hi Discord, tyres are all at 36psi. The ones on the rear are brand new General Grabber AT's, the ones on the front are little used "General" and a bit less "off road" than the new ones. They came with the vehicle so we don't know whether they are from this landy or another one. Would we do well to swap them, fronts to back?

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I suggest you do NOT do this, at least not yet.

Don't risk complicating the issue by changing things!

In any event, I would be inclined to leave the tyres as they are. You want the "roady" tyres up front for stopping and steering, and "grippy" tyres at the back to give you a shove when you apply Diff-Lock.

Have a very good look at the steering column UJs.

Can you jack up BOTH front wheels off the ground at the same time?
If so, and if it isn't blasting down rain, do that, and try the steering with the wheels clear of the ground, engine not running. It should be as smooth as smooth, from lock to lock.

Yes We Can!!! It's been snowing but we won't let a little thing like that get in the way. It'll be later in the week before we can do it. We'll post results. Thanks, we like advice that doesn't need money spending!

Peter Compton said:

Yes We Can!!! It's been snowing but we won't let a little thing like that get in the way. It'll be later in the week before we can do it. We'll post results. Thanks, we like advice that doesn't need money spending!

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Be sure to let us all know what the problem turns out to be.

That's how we all learn.

We checked the steering column UJ's this morning and there is a bit of play in both of them. Should there be any play at all? Too dark to see if any rust!

have you checked the belt yet?

Peter Compton said:

We checked the steering column UJ's this morning and there is a bit of play in both of them. Should there be any play at all? Too dark to see if any rust!

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Well Done!

There should be NO PLAY WHATEVER in the steering column UJs.
A very little play there means a whole lot more slack from there on down, and that may be why the steering is vague, and wanders a bit, and feels rough.

There could be play between the 4-leg + and yokes, and possibly at the splines where they should be clamped to the shaft. They must be clamped solid tight.

[JP] asks again ... have you checked the belt yet?

Good Question. With LandRovers it's best not to assume there's only one problem at a time.

I bet its the belt slack, my disco used to do the same, sticky points on the steering, once i put more tension on the belt it was fine.

i've said that on post 3, but i guess its easier to faff around with tyres, pressures, UJs, etc...than open the bonnet and put a finger on a belt to check tension... ho well!

[JP];1731231 said:

I bet its the belt slack, my disco used to do the same, sticky points on the steering, once i put more tension on the belt it was fine.

i've said that on post 3, but i guess its easier to faff around with tyres, pressures, UJs, etc...than open the bonnet and put a finger on a belt to check tension... ho well!

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I defer to your wisdom!
Check the belt as soon as possible.

It needs to be TIGHT.

But if there is visible movement in the UJs, don't you reckon they should be changed soon?

who cares about the UJs right now.

he has a problem, the solution, or the first thing to check to sort it is tighten/check the belt.

what's the point on checking every other thing if he doesnt check the main and easiest thing that might be causing the problem?

wondering if the OP has ever experienced depender style steering before ?

they can be lumpy if the steering box is tightened up too much. i would also check the belt as mentioned above. and the track rod ends. get a mate to wiggle the steering at varying rates of harshness and check over every linkage rod end. also when both wheels are jacked up check the swivel bearings for tightness or excessive play. but a steering damper does make a difference to handling.

hahahaha.. could well be that Sean!

the "sticky" steering does make it sound like its belt though

[JP];1731356 said:

hahahaha.. could well be that Sean!

the "sticky" steering does make it sound like its belt though

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Indeed, or the steering box over adjusted as Discomikey said.

But let's not forget he says there is slack in the steering column UJs.
That should not be.

Hi Lads, no need to be fighting- remmber we are all beautiful people with so much to give. My belt is loose- about 10 mil of play- my UJ's are warn and need replacing, and the steering box was slightly overtightened by seller to try to compensate when we told him the steering was crap. So lots to get on with, and to JP, my wife is very happy to go under the landy to check to belt tension etc- Thanks everso much for all your input. Enjoy the snow if there's any round your way.

So many problems, so little time: one Landy, Drive It!

which UJs are you talking?

on the props? its ok to have play when you turn it, as long as its not on the actual UJ.
some people think they have play on the UJs, and its not, its just slack on the gear/transfer box... which is perfectly normal