Veering at 40mph

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TorsionBhudda

TorsionBhudda

Well-Known Member
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Falkirk
I wonder if anyone can help. When driving my defender in a straight line as soon as I go above 40mph it starts to veer quite violently to the right I have to take foot off the accelerator and brake as I correct the steering. It's very scary when this happens. The Steering seems quite light and everything thing underneath I.e bushes ball joints look ok. I recently replace the steering damper as one that was fitted looked worn but this hasn't stopped the veering. If anyone has any suggestions on what to check and how or whta is likely causing this their help will be much appreciated thanks.

Gordon
 
Wheel bearings, swivel condition/bushes/drag set up, tracking, bent axle tube, track rod slightly bent and rubbing on the diff bracket, sticky caliper not returning after breaking, lots of things to consider

How long has it been doing it for? Start doing It after offroading or since Baught it?
 
MaxyMan said:
Wheel bearings, swivel condition/bushes/drag set up, tracking, bent axle tube, track rod slightly bent and rubbing on the diff bracket, sticky caliper not returning after breaking, lots of things to consider

How long has it been doing it for? Start doing It after offroading or since Baught it?
Click to expand...

It's been doing it since I bought it. The steering wheel doesn't sit central. I've checked all components to see if anything is bent all look fine. I'll check wheel bearings and swivels today. I don't think its been used off road the last owner was an older woman who used it in winter when roads where bad. Only done 2000 miles in 4 years she had it.
 
Yeh give everything the once over, then check again haha. The track rod touching on the diff bracket is not well known in faults but does catch people out, it only has to bend a small amount and it can rub on bracket causing the steering to go to ****
 
First thing I would do is: - wheels straight ahead, car on flat ground, piece of string across the centre of all four wheels and tied off - any gaps or misaligned wheels? After that - check bushes.
 
Just check all 4 corners found play on passenger side swivel and play in drivers rear wheel bearing. Looks like might have found the cause hopefully.

Next question if I overhaul the passenger side swivel housing should I do the drivers swivel as well. Also should I replace front wheel bearing seeing as I'll be stripping it all down?

When doing drivers rear wheel bearing should I do the passengers aswell or just the one with play?

Thanks for all your help and advice so far. :)

Gordo
 
As well as what's been said, I'd take it all back to first principles and set the steering correctly.

I'd also get the whole thing up on axle stands on the chassis with all wheels off, check all wheel bearings and all bushes, and bush mounts, especially A-frame at the rear!

Then all the drivetrain, Wheel bearings, CV's, drive members and half-shafts etc etc

I'd also check all the brakes, pads, calipers, discs for wear and that they're all tight and working properly!

Your problem is it could easily be an amalgam of lots of little things .. there are loads of bushes, bearings and joints to consider in a Landy suspension and drivetrain to consider and being a little loose on any of them is not necessarily too bad a thing, but if they all have a little looseness or mis-alignment, then who knows what might happen!
 
Paul D said:
As well as what's been said, I'd take it all back to first principles and set the steering correctly.

I'd also get the whole thing up on axle stands on the chassis with all wheels off, check all wheel bearings and all bushes, and bush mounts, especially A-frame at the rear!

Then all the drivetrain, Wheel bearings, CV's, drive members and half-shafts etc etc

I'd also check all the brakes, pads, calipers, discs for wear and that they're all tight and working properly!

Your problem is it could easily be an amalgam of lots of little things .. there are loads of bushes, bearings and joints to consider in a Landy suspension and drivetrain to consider and being a little loose on any of them is not necessarily too bad a thing, but if they all have a little looseness or mis-alignment, then who knows what might happen!
Click to expand...

Thanks Paul that's exactly what I did got all 4 wheels off the ground and found play in passenger front swivel housing and lots play in drivers rear wheel bearing. All track rods extra seem ok but a couple do have perished rubber boots so I'll get new ones. As for bushes not found and play in them but I'm planning to change them aswell in near future.
I'll get swivels and rear bearings sorted next week do you recommend doing both swivels at same time even though drivers is ok also I'm going to replace front wheel bearing seeing as I'll have it all stripped down. And do both rear bearings. Then I'll get the wheel alignment checked one new track rods have been fitted.
 
Swivels are OK done separately, in my opinion.

When you do wheel bearings do the pair on each hub .. don't, for instance, change just the inner bearing and not the outer. Again, One side of the axle set might be fine so doesn't necessarily need changing .. just don't forget the whole wheel bearing on each hub is actually a pair of bearings .. :)
 
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