Land Rover Virgin!

Hello everyone,
I've just today become the proud owner of an early 80s (still not sure of the exact date as it's ex MOD) which was released in 1985. It's a series III 109 and I ran it back from Manchester to Edinburgh today.
This is my first Land Rover and something I've wanted to own for many years and old ex Army Landy!
The old girl came up the 250 mile journey superbly but does have a couple of issues that I hope you experienced members will be able to help me out with.
There is a large amount of play on the steering wheel ( a good inch to inch and a half) can I ask if this is likely to be the steering box or track rod ends. What would be the best way to comfirm either way? Also the brakes aren't what I'd expect and you have to stamp pretty hard on them for them to do anything. Is this simply shoes or possibly master cylinder?

Thanks in advance!

we call it character, check your brakes but if your expecting car type drive it's not:welcome2:

fanatic said:

we call it character, check your brakes but if your expecting car type drive it's not:welcome2:

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Hahaha
Character I like, my old 1960 BSA has it but it does go left when I turn it that way. I'm certainly not expecting car like driving habits but would be surprised that so much play was standard from new but if you're saying all Series III have 1.5" half of play then I guess I need to get use to it

there may be wear in steering components and steering boxes are adjustable.
You want a good poke round,but series land rover do tend to wander

Will do ... thanks.

Also there are various specialists to buy bit's from as local factors are 3 or 4 times more expensive.
I have a local independent who is a bearmach agent

An inch and a half I would say is too much. Find the steering box (I am assuming it is the same place as SWB S2a) in the engine bay on the left hand side near bulkhead. You will find a bolt with a locking nut/washer. Tighten this up a bit and see if it reduces the play (you might find it easier with car jacked up). If this does not help, and just makes the steering stiffer the problem lies elsewhere. While you are up there top up steering box with fluids.

Stamping on the brakes seems quite normal! Do you have to pump the pedal and does the pedal travel far before it bites?

Cos the brakes have manual adjusters for each shoe, I agree with above-jack it up and adjust box till it feels reasonable.

with it on floor gently rock steering free play and look at joints, also with your hand grab and pull them

before adjusting the steering box check all your steering joints (ball joints) carefully there's 6 of them, if they all have a little wear or need greasing you'll find you'll take out most if not all of the play just by sorting those ....

i had too much play in my steering, it was actually in the rod from the steering box to the relay, the thread attaching the steering box ball joint to the rod wasn't clamped down tight enough, once i sorted that out i lost all my play...

the rod/balljoints from the steering box to the relay are difficult to get at so often get ignored until they're clacking so i'd be checking those, easiest way is to remove the drivers side wing and splash panel

over tightening the steering box in an attempt to eliminate play will just accellerate wear/damage in it, personally i advise it to be the last thing you look at

Brakes...
on a late(r) Series the brakes are servo assisted and from my limited experience of late landys the servo assistance makes the nice and light to operate compared to my single line non servo systems....

being as you don't know the state of the shoes i'd suggest pulling the drums off to check the wear first and replace if needed, then adjust as required, the rear brakes will be simple to adjust as they only have the one adjuster which you'll rotate until the shoes start to drag then reverse a little so the wheel spins freely....

the front ones will be a little more difficult as there's two adjusters per drum but you'll use the same procedure as for the rear brakes....

once adjusted take it for a little test drive to ensure it all pulls up (stops) nice and square, re-adjust if you feel it's needed

i would of said inch n half steering play was normal for ruts and rocks to stop you braking fingers. when riding ruts.

109party said:

i would of said inch n half steering play was normal for ruts and rocks to stop you braking fingers. when riding ruts.

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I find keeping me hands out of the wheel helps on that score.

Thanks for all the advice guys, it's been a great help!!

Welcome to the forum pal.
I have a 109 series 3 too an '81, and maybe ex mil.
Its now powered by a 300 tdi.
Look under the hood and if you have not got a brake servo then thats why your brakes are stiff, I have a jago jeep which does nothave a servo and you have to jump on the brakes in that too.
The steering slack can be adjusted, look in the haynes manual, if you havent got one i have some land rover engineering files on disk.

I think I may have found the cause of the excessive play in the steering.
Looks like the steering bearings are shot.
Once replaced I'll check the steering box and track rod ends but expect this will get rid of a good amount of play.

The steering relay mounted in the front cross member can also wear badly, jack the front axle clear to check for play in that!

Charlieccu said:

The steering relay mounted in the front cross member can also wear badly, jack the front axle clear to check for play in that!

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Will do,thanks for that!
Also any tips on how to get the steering bearing out?

What do you mean by "Steering bearing"?

Davec said:

What do you mean by "Steering bearing"?

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The steering column bearing that sits between the steering wheel and the column.

its a bitch.

I have heard that you can prise it out with a screwdriver - but had no luck whatsovere - looks like its a steering column strip down job. .

The Mad Hat Man said:

its a bitch.

I have heard that you can prise it out with a screwdriver - but had no luck whatsovere - looks like its a steering column strip down job. .

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You kiddin me!!?
I see there's a groove which I presumes for getting a screwdriver into but I must say it doesn't look too easy to come out. Strip down me be the only option ......