Steering all over the place.

I thought that it was in my mind for a few weeks, it seemed every time I come off the throtle the landrover pulled to the right but it breaked in a straight line. Last Saturday night I towed 3 tonne for about 60 miles of B roads and It sure was'nt just in my mind (scary stuff) . I'm going to have a look at it tomorrow, any ideas what it could be?

Check all yer wheel bearin's fur starters. Sometimes the back ones can play tricks with ye if thur loose.

Try the suspension bushes from the metal arms coming diagonally from the rear axle to the chassis. Grab one of those and give it a good yank around. It might be that your back axle is helping with your steering! Sounds like it could be the nearside causing the problem?

I have been looking for the problem for the last hour. The 4 wheel barings are ok (the wheels spin freely and there is no play in any of them when I try to move them). I think these are the bushes you mean Tombardier
they are a bit perished but they all seem solid enough. I did find that the oil seal on the chalice driver side has split and the spring is hanging loose from it. I replaced this part about 6 months ago and I know that the chalice is badly pitted and I have to get a new one. Would this cause the steering problem though

it looks like you've got a massive gap between the bush and the chassis mount on that first picture? Have you tried grabbing hold of that rod, and just yanking it back and forth with all your strength to see if there's any play?

tombardier said:

it looks like you've got a massive gap between the bush and the chassis mount on that first picture? Have you tried grabbing hold of that rod, and just yanking it back and forth with all your strength to see if there's any play?

Click to expand...

So there is I can'nt move it by hand though but I bet thats whats causing the problem. I might aswell change all 4 bushes when I'm at it. Nearly two months since the last problem never a dull moment with them is there.

Check your steering damper is not nackered, have just done mine and its made a world of difference.

CROWBLIND said:

Check your steering damper is not nackered, have just done mine and its made a world of difference.

Click to expand...

Yeah I'll have a look thanks it only happens when I lift off the throttle though if that makes any difference or not.

rear trailing arm bushes, at the chassis end, happened to me last year, symptoms were exactly the same

Rustyrus said:

rear trailing arm bushes, at the chassis end, happened to me last year, symptoms were exactly the same

Click to expand...

Yes its hot favourite at the moment I hope to change them over the weekend. Not a pleasent driving experince is it?

Aye, it's a bit hairy at times alright. The way I spotted it was have someone drive it back and forward, just a couple of feet, and watch the rear axle for movement

I'd like to be able to change them myself, but I'd need to have a hydraulic press and a blowtorch by the sounds of it!

tombardier said:

I'd like to be able to change them myself, but I'd need to have a hydraulic press and a blowtorch by the sounds of it!

Click to expand...

Nah smallest cold chisel & biggest hammer you have. will do it.

redhand said:

Nah smallest cold chisel & biggest hammer you have. will do it.

Click to expand...

Thats what I intend to use and a vice is the press.

I got the bushes today and fitted them this evening, only the front ones because the back ones are as good as new and what a difference that made its like new again thanks for the advice boys.

Good news so getting the bushes off was easy enough? I'm tempted to do them myself, as I've been charged about £70 to get them done in the garage.

tombardier said:

Good news so getting the bushes off was easy enough? I'm tempted to do them myself, as I've been charged about £70 to get them done in the garage.

Click to expand...

If ye look through me guides, ye'll see all the bushes that need doin'
Are ye replacin' them with standard or polly's?

tombardier said:

Good news so getting the bushes off was easy enough? I'm tempted to do them myself, as I've been charged about £70 to get them done in the garage.

Click to expand...

Yeah easy mate the big ones on the front anyway, the smaller ones at the back might take a bit more work but I'm sure anyone determined enough could do it.

I like to stick with OEM, but I hear they're more of a pain to work with.

tombardier said:

I like to stick with OEM, but I hear they're more of a pain to work with.

Click to expand...

Ah've heard they're quite easy to do if ye've got a big press