Still got notchy steering with play

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bankz5152

bankz5152

Well-Known Member
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South London/North Kent
After I hit a tree stump off roading at the beginning of the year the steering as been a little "off". I've got a "notch" at the 2 o'clock position when turning right which is annoying and very felt. Plus there is quite a bit of play between 1 o'clock and 2.

So far I've changed Steering damper - TF RTC, Track Rod Arms - Raptor 4x4 HD, Track Rod Ends - Raptor 4x4 / Gwyn Lewis HD and greased up the UJs on the column while turning lock to lock. No noise from the PAS box, no leaks either.

Wheels turn smoothly and easily with no notch present, it can only really be felt from the steering wheel.

I'm now wondering if I have somehow damaged the steering column lower steering shaft? If so how do you change it? Is this a part that should be Genuine or are the after market variants fine to use (£50 or £300) ? Afaik you can't change just the UJs....
 
It's cheap and easy enough to change the lower steering column. Before changing it, you could disconnect it from the steering box and test to see if you feel the notch. If so, there are two UJs in the column which can be changed. I suspect the steering box itself has been damaged though - hopefully I'm wrong.
 
I pulled the drag link off the PAS box and turned it full left and full right, no notchyness, moved completely freely, can't remember if I tried the same from the steering wheel end tho with the drag link disconnected.
 
You could go old school, get someone to move the streering wheel at the notchy position as you put your hand on the different steering components - feel for where the source of the notch is.
If you need to change the steering column UJs, IIRC it's just 13mm nuts and bolts (and a hammer of course). I used a large screwdriver to open the joints a little to make them easy to slide apart.
 
Can't see fleabay too well on my stone age work computer, the shaft may be different for later models. Looks like the one for sale comes with the UJs. I used a Britpart shaft and bearmach UJs. Although, having had a think, if the shaft was damaged, you would get the notch several times as you went lock to lock.
 
When you hit the stump was it with a wheel or on the linkages? You may have damaged one of the lower swivel bearings, that may give you a notch in one position and if you are trying to feel for a notch with the wheels off the ground there may be insufficient load on the bearing to feel it. The other option is to disconnect the drag link and turn the steering side to side with someone trying to stop the steering arm moving (i.e. simulating a load)
 
Unsure the stump was burries under leaves and such, had no idea it was there. Could have been the wheel or the linkages. It was the front left wheel that had impact but the notch is at 2oclock

Greasing the steering shaft did help things for a while
 
Before I bought anything I thought id adjust the steering box! Mostly good news.

The free play is all but gone and the notchyness is reduced, I can still just about feel it but all is much better
 
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