Steering slack

The steering in my Defender is feeling a little slack. The mechanic did mention it last time it went through it's MOT (I would say "but it's a land rover" but he did work for a LR dealer once upon a time).

Where should I look for the source of the slack? It doesn't appear to be in thre system before the shaft reaches the power steering gubbings so I'm guessing that it somewhere underneath. I had a very brief look but couldn't spot any obvious play. Any suggestions as to where I should look more carefully?

giz a clue what year defender??????????

Check the big nut on the bottom of the steering box

and check the big one holdin the steerin wheel

evenin drippy

alrite mate

Drop arm ball joint.

I'll put a fiver on it

odenne said:

Drop arm ball joint.

I'll put a fiver on it

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nah it'll be the steering box wanting tightening

as per:

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f16/heavy-steering-defender-73648.html

iannotts said:

giz a clue what year defender??????????

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Woops, '93, 200tdi.

odenne said:

Drop arm ball joint.

I'll put a fiver on it

Click to expand...

Now I'm not sure what one of those is but some Googling tells me that'd be the bit on the left hand side of one of the rods, with the rubber gaiter that in my case is split and looks like sh*t?

That could be a good candidate.

pishmishy said:

Now I'm not sure what one of those is but some Googling tells me that'd be the bit on the left hand side of one of the rods, with the rubber gaiter that in my case is split and looks like sh*t?

That could be a good candidate.

Click to expand...

That'll be yer track rod end

pishmishy said:

Now I'm not sure what one of those is but some Googling tells me that'd be the bit on the left hand side of one of the rods, with the rubber gaiter that in my case is split and looks like sh*t?

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that's normal, lets hope it's not that as it's often an arse of a job

follow the instructions with that link i posted to take up any slack that might be in the steering box, that's a 5 minutes job and you'll deffo notice an improvement

bustersbus said:

That'll be yer track rod end

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or the drop arm ball joint

Sean said:

or the drop arm ball joint

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Now that is a horrible job!

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/drop-arm-ball-joint-renewal-63811.html

I agree wiv Sean, tighten yer steering box furst then get a mate to wiggle steering while you lay under the front and look for play in the track rod ends, drag link and drop arm.

bustersbus said:

Now that is a horrible job!

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/drop-arm-ball-joint-renewal-63811.html

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Too right Buster! Once helped a mate change one on a Range Rover - couldn't get the drop arm off so changed it in-situ, what a nightmare.

classic kev said:

Too right Buster! Once helped a mate change one on a Range Rover - couldn't get the drop arm off so changed it in-situ, what a nightmare.

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the normal method (if you havent got a VERY strong puller) is to replace the drop arm along with the ball joint

Sean said:

follow the instructions with that link i posted to take up any slack that might be in the steering box, that's a 5 minutes job and you'll deffo notice an improvement

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Thanks, I'll take a look. Is it necessary to have the front of the vehicle lifted to do the job? That might not be all that convenient for me right now.

pishmishy said:

Thanks, I'll take a look. Is it necessary to have the front of the vehicle lifted to do the job? That might not be all that convenient for me right now.

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Unless ye're a REALLY fat git, then ye should manage just fine... well at least ah did

Sean said:

the normal method (if you havent got a VERY strong puller) is to replace the drop arm along with the ball joint

Click to expand...

Have heard one method for releasing the drop arm is undo the big nut (35mm socket required) then place the vehicle next to a high kerb or similar solid object and turn the wheel - the theory is it will loosen the drop arm.

I've not tried it but worth a go I suppose.