swivel preloads?

hi guys not been on for a while, mainly due to lack of landy but just purchased another disco so you'll no doubt see more of me again.
I've purchased a disco 300tdi es auto on an M plate, it drives extremely well except for the steering seeming vague and more worryingly picking its own direction of travel according to the road surface. I've checked the bushes and track rods and they're fine so its obviously the swivel preloads or the steering box. I know that to set the swivel preload you need to remove the swivel seal to acurately set the preload, but i was wondering if anyone would have a rough idea of the ideal resistance that the swivel would give with this seal in place just so i can try and eliminate or indeed diagnose them as the problem as at the moment i don't have alot of time due to work commitments so really need to cure this as quick and simple as possible. Also can the 300tdi steering box be adjusted to take up any play or would it have to be replaced if it was at fault. cheers guys..

2.5/3 lb's, however, it will probably read closer to 4 when the seals are new.

I had a P reg from new and the steering was all over the place. My "dealer" said it was normal for a 300tdi why was I worried. Never did get it sorted but it was so rubbish in general I took it back and swapped it for a Freelander (which was ace, and never gave me any trouble ever - oh why didn't I keep it?)

I had 300 Tdis and I used to set the preload just by removing the track rod ends and setting the swivel so it was stiff but even through its range of movement and it worked fine .
Loose swivels can be nasty - as you said the steering can have a mind of its own .
I think I read on some other forum of using a figure of 11 lbs or so with the seals in place . I never bothered removing seals etc as it sounded like a lot of work and the results were always satisfactory

I misread me book that should be 12.5lb's ish!

Can't locate the forum at present but I think someone mentioned a figure of 14 lbs using a spring balance with seals etc. left in place .
Will keep looking .

Well, 14 would be about right with new seals... then they bed in a little.

Without checking I'd reckon 14 is a bit much. Any how I set mine to somewhere near the maximum preload an the MOT tester had his gaffer look at them cos he thought they were a bit stiff, oooh suits you sir.

Did mine this summer cos mi ball's were absolutely knackered, complete strip down and rebuild with new seals,bearings etc, went and bought me a new fishing balance for the job.Should be between 2 & 3Kg with out seals and a lot of farting about turns out it was perfect with old shims back in.

If there is a lot of play in them you can feel it if you grab hold of one of the wheels at 12 & 6 oclock position (wheel jacked up) but dont mistake any play for loose or knackered wheel bearings!

cheers guys i'll have a good look at it this week. i threw a jack under it today and there dosen't seem to be any play in the swivel but there is evidence of someone doing work around that area recently so my guess is that they've just tightened swivels till play was gone but not put any load onto them. took it a short trip up the motorway today and i'm ashamed to say i daren't take it above 55mph thats about the top you can get before the steering becomes too scary. thanks to all of ya i'll let you know when its cured.