Worn Steering box symptoms, What might they be?

[jayk]

Hello All,

I was hoping someone could shed some light on this subject for me. I have recently acquired a 89 RR, and I have noticed that the steering is a bit loose or vague. I know this is not just another Land Rover quirk. It is too dangerous to put up with.

When driving at high speeds it is more noticable as keeping the thing in a straight line is a bit of a choir.

When the steering wheel is at dead centre there is about 10 or more degrees of light play each way until there is any resistance and wheels start to move.

This causes concern when driving at 100 and your trying to steer in a straight line, as you tend to have to over correct to bring the thing in straight.

Under the bonnet I have tried rotating the connecting rod(Sorry don't kniow the name) in between the firewall side and the power steering box. There seems to be a bit or play in this too. As I would assume trying to dry turn this when the engine off and no power assist should result in little movement.

To get to the point, I would like to know if this is a normal symptoms of power steering box wear, or it s sympton of bearing wear on the steering column . Or Something else completly.

This is something I dont want to tackle myself and I want to be armed with some knowledge before I take it to be looked at.

Any recomendations on a good repairer that will be familar with such symptoms and will solve the issue at a reaonable cost would be appreciated too

JayK

[shakes]

get someone to play with the steering wheel while your underneath working out were the slop is...

could be something as simple as totally flogged out panhard bushes to as you said worn steering box. get underneath and move all steering bits and pieces to work out were the slop is.

hubs maybe loose, bearings my be gone could be many things!

your in fern tree gully? there's a decent rover mechanic out that way On whitehorse rd or just near it?

Simon

[Philip A]

Have a look in the FAQs.
I wrote up how to adjust a steering box a long time ago.
It is most probably just adjustment maybe plus one of the Unis in the column may be shot.
Regards Philip A

[shep]

I had very similar steering symptoms(94 Disco) as you mentioned, and in my case the steering arm (from steering wheel) that connects onto the rear of steerng box spline was slipping, even though I checked it before it obviously wasn't tight enough.
(As a matter of interest I recently purchased a new genuine steering box for $1200 at 4x4 spares Newcastle for my 02 Defender. Rebuilds vary anywhere up to $750)

[walker]

Another common fault is the nut holding the pitman arm onto the bottom of the box coming loose. That causes those symptoms.

Also have you tried adjusting the steering box? Full details of how to do that are in the FAQ

[natanchris]

You've got a couple of good Rover mechs close by. I use Anthony at British 4WD Imports in Hamilton Rd, Bayswater. Works from home but knows his stuff and is good value. Also there is Roverland on Dorset Rd just opposite the Arboretum. Don't know him personally but heard good things....Chris.

[jayk]

I have decided to book the bus in at Roverland. I will go and see him this arvo to work out a time. I have contemplated trying the adjustment thing myself, but looking at it I am thinking it maybe be hard to get into the top of the box with out pulling other stuff off.

I figure I get it done right

It might free up my weekend for play too.

[HJ60_HEATHUS]

I have decided to book the bus in at Roverland. I will go and see him this arvo to work out a time. I have contemplated trying the adjustment thing myself, but looking at it I am thinking it maybe be hard to get into the top of the box with out pulling other stuff off.

I figure I get it done right

It might free up my weekend for play too.

is it power steering? ps boxes are much more sensitive to adjustments. it's possible to over adjust, and you won't know until you're fanging along and you loose steering because the shafts are binding.