Loose Steering

I have noticed that my steering is starting to become loose, like something has become worn. It feels like something down near the wheels is worn, but also the steering column has a little movement up and down, which it never used to. Its worse on bumpy roads, but not really rough. It has also started making a moaning noise when dry steering. Not all the time, just occasionally. Not sure if its linked.

Anyone any ideas?

Hello

Check the large nut on the drop arm it's 35 or 36mm also check the knuckles and the clamp just before the shaft goes into the bulkhead and perhaps the most obvious steering fluid it could also be a fooked steering damper.


Leekegs

Drop arm ball joint mite be fooked.

The only way to check properly is to jack the disco up and support on the chassis rails.

Get someone to turn the steering lock to lock while you look in the engine bay and underneath as well.

What you are looking for is the same amount of movement of the steering wheel at the steering joints and at the steering box.

You need to start at the joints that are after the steering column as it exits through the body into the engine bay.

You mention up and down movement of the steering column. Are you talking about in the driving position when you are holding the steering wheel?

The steering column exits through the bodywork into the engine bay and joins onto the steering shaft, if there is any up or down, or sideways movement on the steering column as it comes through the bodywork then the bearings are worn. You will have to buy a complete column as the bearings are not replaceable.

The steering shaft and universal joints that join it to the steering box are all replaceable and very cheap as well.

As you mention that the slack seems to be at the wheel, suspect the ball joints on the control arms, again very cheap.

Again steering issues are detected by going through each item in turn.

Yeah seems to be up down movement of the steering wheel. Ok Will have a look, it just seemed that the movement came on quickly, within one long journey on motorway. Its fine when driving fast, no loss of control or anything. Would the things mentioned be an MOT failure?

robpenrose said:

Yeah seems to be up down movement of the steering wheel. Ok Will have a look, it just seemed that the movement came on quickly, within one long journey on motorway. Its fine when driving fast, no loss of control or anything. Would the things mentioned be an MOT failure?

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Check that the steering column is securly bolted to the footwell and the nuts are tight on the engine side of the bodywork.

If these are ok make sure that your steering wheel is not loose.

If you can still move the steering column about then the bearings have gone in the column and you will need a new one.

As for whether these items are an MOT failure it depends which item is at fault. Any play other than that allowed in the design would be a failure.

Most MOT stations do not tend to move the steering wheel up or down and only check for actual movement at the wheels when turning.

However unusual movements in the steering indicate a fault somewhere and I would rather find the cause.

1. Excess play in ball joints = fail
2. Worn steering joints = Possible fail
3. Worn drop arm ball joint = Possible fail
Check that the rubber coupling on the steering shaft in the engine bay is not split, this will show up as play when you turn the steering.

ok, thanks for your help, i will try to have a look whats going on.

Cheers

if its groaning thats low fluid - top up with ATF

after that check all the other stuff

no, i check them regularly and they are all fine. i Think it could be vibrations possibly, if there is some play somewhere. But that is just a though, no evidence as yet.

robpenrose said:

no, i check them regularly and they are all fine. i Think it could be vibrations possibly, if there is some play somewhere. But that is just a though, no evidence as yet.

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Have you found the problem?

no not yet, i havent had a chance to look to be honest. Been stacked with work.

Probably be something really expensive knowing my luck!!!!

most likely track rod/drag link ball joints.
Does it make a clonk noise when stationary and you move steering wheel left to right? - good sign of worn panhard rod end bushes.....

moaning noise is not a problem in moderation, ive never driven a landy that doesnt moan on the steering

no i can't here any knocking as such, but there is some (very small amount) vertical movement in the steering column, which there never used to be. I tried to give the steering rod into the engine a wobble and it didn't seem to move, however the truck was on the ground so i suppose it wouldnt.

Its the feeling when your driving over bad surfaced roads (southampton is aweful) that something is worn down towards the wheels, but i can't understand why the steering column would start to move. Its almost like some of the shock of the bumps is taken out, but with a slight delay.

Sorry its a ****e explanation, its just hard to put into words.

Managed to have a look a minute ago. Found small amount of up down movement in the steering shaft, which comes from the steering wheel into the engine bay, which from comments on this thread means its the bearings on the steering column.

Apparently these cant be replaced independantly of the steering column, so its a whole new unit. Anyone any idea how long a garage would take to replace one of these?

Paddocks reckon about 220 quid for part

Also would this cause an MOT failure??

robpenrose said:

Managed to have a look a minute ago. Found small amount of up down movement in the steering shaft, which comes from the steering wheel into the engine bay, which from comments on this thread means its the bearings on the steering column.

Apparently these cant be replaced independantly of the steering column, so its a whole new unit. Anyone any idea how long a garage would take to replace one of these?

Paddocks reckon about 220 quid for part

Also would this cause an MOT failure??

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The steering column bearings would be an MOT failure if excessive. As indicated earlier this is not normally picked up unless the inspector is particulaly fussy.

If you do replace the column then why not do it yourself, it's not difficult.

A garage would want at least 3 hrs.

Famous Four have a secondhand one for £60.

I am still unsure if your problem is your steering column, the type of vibration and the magnitude would indicate swivel preloads not adjusted correctly.

Ah ok thats good to know anyway. I never thought of second hand, i will defo remember that for next time.

I will need to have a proper look again when i get a chance anyway.

thanks

check ya wheel bearings as well

ok cheers, i get a squeek from one of the wheels at low speeds, but not a rumble,

Not sure what the squeek is though,

mouse?

oh yeah, forgot the accelerator pedal is linked him