Steering Judder?

Hi Guys, i was just wondering if anyone knows why when i'm on tickover the steering on my 90 Defender 200tdi judders like a bitch and is really heavy to turn. It doesnt make much difference if i rev it either. However for some strange reason when I go through fords and the engine bay gets wet the steering is perfect as light as say a new car and just as smooth?

Cheers Terra Dog

terra dog surly you havnt got another problem with the defender

whats the fluid level like?

Sounds like steering UJs dry and tight - that bit of water lubes them a little by the sounds of it .

sypher said:

Sounds like steering UJs dry and tight - that bit of water lubes them a little by the sounds of it .

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I listened to this advice in the end Steering judder = 'Lumpy Steering' ?? For about £11 each its a good place to start.... I took this advice. I just put an update on the problem I had. I power hosed the UJs and yes it made a bit of a difference but went lumpy again soon after. Did the lube on the UJs, fine for a day or two then crap again..
Its a cheap and fairly easy job and if you suspect its a joint problem rather than belts or pump its a very good place to start.

Bloody hell that sounds a bit technical to me. Is there any way of lubing the ujs? If mrjc did the above and it then went lumpy maybe it's just a common thing for this to happen?

Terra Dog said:

Bloody hell that sounds a bit technical to me. Is there any way of lubing the ujs? If mrjc did the above and it then went lumpy maybe it's just a common thing for this to happen?

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When I took the UJs off the bottom joint nearest the steering box was almost solid. It had been soaked in GT85 before removal to help tap it off the spline shaft. It was fooked and all the lube in the world would not make it as smooth and easy to move as a new one. I cant see any recommendations in the service manual for lubing these joints. I am confident that my steering issues are sorted.