OK, this is the next job on my list and I think it could turn into an ongoing job, but here goes.

Basically, the steering on my RRC is pretty vague and, since fitting these larger A/T tyres, it really shakes going over bumps in the road. It also wanders a lot once you get over 50/55mph, so there's all sorts that needs sorting.

So far I have fitted new front air springs and also fitted a new Monroe steering damper. I also fitted a HD drag link bar (the one the steering damper mounts to?) although that was more for offroad use than to sort the steering, so the tracking will need doing but I want to sort everything else first before having that done, save paying out for the tracking twice.

My current plan of action is as follows:

- Tighten up steering box to take up the slack from the dead-ahead position
- Set the swivel preloads on the front swivel/ball joints. I found this excellent guide: Difflock :: View topic - Torque setting for Disco swivel pin help! but if anyone has anything else to add please let me know!

Is there anything else that I should do at the same time? I'd rather do EVERYTHING in one go and get it sorted than fanny around. I was considering replacing the front dampers as the rears have been, would they affect the steering? Also, I have read about panhard rod bushes but not sure what they are and if I need to? Is that a DIY job or needs a press?

Cheers!

Cheers!

Mine has this slight wondering when driving around locally... find myself having to correct 4-5 times in order to get back straight.

The guy who looks after mine says he is going to swap out the steering box and try another one as a test.

Happy to let you know how we get on if you make progress with keeping it straight just drop me a note.

There's a harmonic steering stabiliser (or something like that fitted underneath). Looks a bit like a discus. I saw mine when I replaced the steering damper and wondered what it was and apparently they are often removed which can have the affect you describe.

I think it is supposed to work by limiting or cancelling out some vibrations but exactly how I really don't know. Might be worth checking you still have yours.

Swivel hub preload and also steering damper are common

I also fitted a HD drag link bar (the one the steering damper mounts to?)

Click to expand...

That's the steering bar. The one directly ahead of it is the drag link bar
Sort out the panhard rod by rebushing it both ends. (the rod ahead of the axle). Old bushes can be removed with heat, and a hammer and drift if you don't have a press. Get polybush new ones which are MUCH easier to install.
That'll help sort out the steering wandering and vibration

change.....

ball joints,all of them.
check stuff you plan to do.+all steering joints in steering column..

and wheel bearings!!

then check the rear as wandering rear will feel similar.

Will do, Ashley!

dkl1971 said:

There's a harmonic steering stabiliser (or something like that fitted underneath)... Might be worth checking you still have yours.

Click to expand...

Yep, it's definitely there because I took it off and then refitted it this week when fitting the HD bars!

fanatic said:

Swivel hub preload and also steering damper are common

Click to expand...

Steering damper done, swivel preload next I guess!

joe1972 said:

That's the steering bar. The one directly ahead of it is the drag link bar
Sort out the panhard rod by rebushing it both ends. (the rod ahead of the axle). Old bushes can be removed with heat, and a hammer and drift if you don't have a press. Get polybush new ones which are MUCH easier to install.
That'll help sort out the steering wandering and vibration

Click to expand...

How do the panhard rod bushes affect steering wandering? I guess I can see them conributing to vibration, but wandering steering too??

zen said:

change.....

ball joints,all of them.
check stuff you plan to do.+all steering joints in steering column..

and wheel bearings!!

then check the rear as wandering rear will feel similar.

Click to expand...

Wheel bearings are good but the rest need checking I guess...just don't want to replace everything needlessly, better to work through systematically I reckon!

The Panhard Rod prevents lateral movemment of the axle....if the bushes are worn, it will allow the axle to move sideways by a small amountwhich will cause odd wandering/crabbing behaviour.

Sounds like they could be at least one of the culprits, then!

All sorted! Turns out the swivel pens were seriously loose, there was basically no preload at all, let alone 2Nm!! So had that adjusted and is much better now. The panhard rod bushes are all fine, as is everything else in that area - result!