Steering (mis)alignment L322

Hi guys,

Noticed yesterday that if I set my steering wheel to neutral (ie. its natural position) whist driving then the car goes off to the left, and therefore to go straight I'm steering slightly to the right at all times.

Clearly this is an issue, but before I go to a garage to get them to look at it, what do you think the most likely cause of this is?

- Steering rack knackered?
- Left side brakes sticking (don't think they are, but I thought maybe an option?)
- Wheels just need aligning?
- Something else?

I like going to the garage with some idea of what I'm talking about so they can't bluff me and tell me I need a whole new front end costing £3 million. So any input welcomed. Cheers!

Voguely said:

Hi guys,

Noticed yesterday that if I set my steering wheel to neutral (ie. its natural position) whist driving then the car goes off to the left, and therefore to go straight I'm steering slightly to the right at all times.

Clearly this is an issue, but before I go to a garage to get them to look at it, what do you think the most likely cause of this is?

- Steering rack knackered?
- Left side brakes sticking (don't think they are, but I thought maybe an option?)
- Wheels just need aligning?
- Something else?

I like going to the garage with some idea of what I'm talking about so they can't bluff me and tell me I need a whole new front end costing £3 million. So any input welcomed. Cheers!

Click to expand...

Don't know about L322 but if it was a P38 i would say drag link adjusted incorrectly. Unless the steering wheel has been off and not centred properly.

wammers said:

Don't know about L322 but if it was a P38 i would say drag link adjusted incorrectly. Unless the steering wheel has been off and not centred properly.

Click to expand...

What would cause that to suddenly go wrong though? The steering wheel hasn't been off, nor has it been in for any work recently. Just seemed to start happening one day

Voguely said:

What would cause that to suddenly go wrong though? The steering wheel hasn't been off, nor has it been in for any work recently. Just seemed to start happening one day

Click to expand...

Don't know to be honest. There was something in technical bulletins about steering wheel changing centre as EAS went up and down (changed at different ride heights) on the P38 but have never gone into it. Looks like your going to have to trust the garage if it bothers you.

Have you hit a kerb? you may have knocked the wheel alignment out.

Matt

I have had this problem with mine. It was driving me mad on a long run so I took it to a LR specialist and the mechanic took it out for a spin. He noticed the pull to the left was more severe under power and said it appeared to be steering from the rear slightly.

They took it in and examined it on the ramps and have diagnosed front LH transverse link is worn and rear LH hub assembly bushes are worn.

They are ordering them in and will fit them when they have some spare time. It will need 4 wheel alignment afterwards.

PH

phillh said:

I have had this problem with mine. It was driving me mad on a long run so I took it to a LR specialist and the mechanic took it out for a spin. He noticed the pull to the left was more severe under power and said it appeared to be steering from the rear slightly.

They took it in and examined it on the ramps and have diagnosed front LH transverse link is worn and rear LH hub assembly bushes are worn.

They are ordering them in and will fit them when they have some spare time. It will need 4 wheel alignment afterwards.

PH

Click to expand...

Bugger, that doesn't sound cheap, have they given you a quote for it yet?

I wish my RR would stop breaking

Cheers for the replies so far guys. @ Matt - no I don't remember hitting any curbs etc, although there are some savage speed bumps around where I live.

Voguely said:

Hi guys,

Noticed yesterday that if I set my steering wheel to neutral (ie. its natural position) whist driving then the car goes off to the left, and therefore to go straight I'm steering slightly to the right at all times.

Clearly this is an issue, but before I go to a garage to get them to look at it, what do you think the most likely cause of this is?

- Steering rack knackered?
- Left side brakes sticking (don't think they are, but I thought maybe an option?)
- Wheels just need aligning?
- Something else?

I like going to the garage with some idea of what I'm talking about so they can't bluff me and tell me I need a whole new front end costing £3 million. So any input welcomed. Cheers!

Click to expand...

Have a look at the front suspension bushes, apparently these are known to wear and cause a variety of odd handling issues. I recently had the experience of an L322 not feeling quite right. Found lower arm bushes were well past it.

To check, raise suspension to full height, then grab hold t of the armthat goes from the bottom of the suspension back to the sub-fram and try and twist it. If there is any movement under hand pressure then it needs changing. Then put a pry bar in there and gently lever against the arm/bush, if you can see the wheel move then it is really goosed.

I took it to a local indie who advised cheaper to replace arms than mess about just doing the bushes, arms were £105.02 + VAT (each) but I think these also include new ball joints. They also found some play in another arm so they replaced that as well. Total for the job was two arms (LR018343 and LR018344), one upper arm assembly, RBJ500920 and two hours labour. £480.00 (inc VAT). Hope that helps ya.

Voguely said:

Bugger, that doesn't sound cheap, have they given you a quote for it yet?

I wish my RR would stop breaking

Cheers for the replies so far guys. @ Matt - no I don't remember hitting any curbs etc, although there are some savage speed bumps around where I live.

Click to expand...

Slowing down over them may help then.

Thanks Kev, I'll try those tests out. Its not sounding good though by what you guys are saying

Hi Vougely,

I had my 4 wheel alligenment checked and set up by my local specialists on my TD6, they must have had 4 attempts at trying to get the steering wheel 100% true, in the end they got it the best they could, however as the car had been been on it's side they put it down to that....it's only a tiny amount out now, but drives great, does not pull, stays in a straight line and only cost about £60 plus vat.

The allignement was done after i had the suspension lowered 50mm, so maybe this could also be why the steering wheel is a tiny amount out.

Thanks Bob.

I had it locked in motorway ride height for a while, anyone know whether this is something which is likely to upset the steering or make it more inclined to being knocked out of sync??

Nobody's mentioned tyre pressures yet. A lower pressure in one side will cause it to pull to that side. Make sure both front and rear pressures are the same on each side.