Steering problems...

[JP] · May 29, 2009

I think I have a problem with my steering and it's hard to explain whats happening, so I'll try my best

If you imagine turning your steering wheel from 9 to 3 oclock position, this should be a smooth operation..
well, what's happening with mine is it starts smooth at 9, then get's to 10 or 11 and its hard, then 12 is smooth againand so on

I thought it could be because of the tyres as it feels like it's hard because of when going on the nobbly bits of the tyresbut I don't think it was like this when I got it...

Dont really know whats happening anyone have any ideas or have experienced similar?
Not sure if the explanation is very good?

I've checked for leaks and don't think I have any...

cheers
JP

andyb66 · May 29, 2009

Is it definately 'tight spots' and not just lumpy. A simple check is to spray to WD40 or similar onto the steering column UJs and turn from lock to lock and see if that makes any difference.

Otherwise there is a worm drive in the steering box that has worn and is giving you the 'tight spots', in which case it's new box time.

[JP] · May 29, 2009

haa... brilliant!
at least now I know the technical term... "tight spots" hehe, seriously though, thanks for that, that really is what I'm experiencing...

I do have a leak, but was told was nothing to worry about, my steering box is leaking onto the drop arm.. so that might be the problem then!
But doesnt leak much, I dont even get a patch on my drive, the drop is only wet, but can't even see the red fluid anywhere...

Luckly I have a new steering box as spare in the garage that I took off a mates disco before he sent it to the scrap...

Is there a way of sorting the problem temporarily without removing the steering box?
like a top up of fluid or something?

cheers
JP

ratty · May 29, 2009

I'm with andyb66. Steering U/J's on the column. use plenty of oil, wd40 or plus gas to free them off. once they are free'd off coat them in grease to help prevent it happening again.

andyb66 · May 29, 2009

You could use a leak stop fluid that works by swelling the rubber seals....however it will swell all the rubber in the power steering system; so not good long term.

I would top it up, but I doubt that this is going to make much difference if the box is 'that' worn.

ratty · May 29, 2009

andyb66 said:
You could use a leak stop fluid that works by swelling the rubber seals....however it will swell all the rubber in the power steering system; so not good long term.

I would top it up, but I doubt that this is going to make much difference if the box is 'that' worn.

A capfull of brake fluid will do the same thing too.

[JP] · May 29, 2009

Ok.. going to start by cleaning and greasin the UJs on the steering column...

if that's shot, luckly I managed to nick a brand new steering rod off my mates disco too... lol

As you can imagine there wasnt much left to sell/ scrap when I finished with it...lol

thanks for the tips, goin to try all that over the weekend..
JP

andyb66 · May 29, 2009

ratty said:
A capfull of brake fluid will do the same thing too.

Yes I know but I consider that a 'get you home' measure not a perminant fix.

ratty · May 29, 2009

andyb66 said:
Yes I know but I consider that a 'get you home' measure not a perminant fix.

I'd always looked on it that way too.

There seem to be a couple of people on here that have done it and are still driving around with no problems a year on. I spose it depends on how bad your seals are gone.

Paul D · May 29, 2009

... and if the worm drive inside is already fecked, you're not losing anything by bodging it until you're really ready/can afford to do it properly ..

[JP] · May 29, 2009

well..
got home and sprayed loads of WD40 over the steering rod and took the motor over to my mate to pick up my bike trailer...

loads better!!!!!! not perfect, but miles better...

He checked a few things and what he noticed is:

there's this loud squeeling (like from a belt) once I start the engine and if turn the wheels, but then its stops..
He said it can be the steering pump not coping with the big tyres I have, and once the fluid is hot, thats the reason the squeeling stops..
he checked the tension on the belt and he says its fine..
also, there's plenty of steering fluid in the little tank, but he said it looks too thin and maybe changing the fluid could help..

He also said the steering box seemed alright to him, but then he was comparing to when the box on his disco went bust and made crunching noises and would sundently jump.... mine doesnt do that.

what do you guys think?
start by changing the steering fluid? is it a pain of a job or similar to an oil change? drain and replace with new?

cheers
JP

[JP] · May 30, 2009

Another one on this...

was chatting to one of my neighbours and mentioned i might need to change the sterring fluid...
he said he would bring me some agricultural oil and i could use that?
he says that's what he uses in his 90..... is it ok to use this agricultural stuff?

[JP] · Jun 1, 2009

Well.. over the weekend I sprayed some more WD40 on the track rod....
but then remembered I had a split on my ball joint between the drop arm and the panhard rod...

so greased it up... was alright, but not perfect..
spent sunday doing some green laning and now it's perfect!!?? I think it just needed a good wacking??? lol

Steering problems...

[JP]

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ratty

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Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

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