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help I've got a steering wobble I can't shift

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Matt_H:
as ususual I seem to be replacing everything in my quest to find out why I'm getting steering wobble.  It's an odd one, not sop much a out of balance wheel wobble but more side to side of the steering, it can happen from upwards of 40 mph, however very occasionally a bump will kick it off.

The last thing I can think of is the steering box so am after some opinions.

The story so far:

I don't think it's the wheels or tyres as I've swapped my tyres with someone else and the wobble stayed with my 90 and his was still fine.  In fact I've actually tried 3 sets of wheels and tyres just to make sure.  (they are probably ever so slightly out of balance anyway but not enough to wobble the other 90)

I dropped the front prop out completly as sometimes when they go stiff seem to cause wobbles, no change.

The radius arm bushes were replaced by the local land rover place safari engineering some 4-5 months ago.  (the wobble has acutally apepared after that)

The panhard bushes were replaced 6 months ago, as the steering wobble got worse I noticed last weekend that the bushes were shot.. I can only think that the wobble has caused the bushes to go rather than the bushes causing the wobble.. Just replaced those with some polly bushes and 70% has gone but there is still more  wobble than a 'normal land rover'

Now the steering was comented on at the MOT for being a bit loose.  It appears as thoguh the box is warn internally as you can turn the steering wheel (based on a clock face) 2-3 hours before the drop arm starts to move at all.

Is this the most likely cause of the wobble?  I see paddocks have boxes for £200, then it sayus includes £100 exchange, does that mena it's basically £100 when you return the other one?

Thanks
Matthew

Snooky:
Can compare it to mine if you want, I used to have loads of problems, and have replaced the bushes etc like you.
Have you looked at the Swivel pins? that made a big difference to mine, and so did the actual tyres, with Steel and mud tyres it still isn't the most stable of machines, but seems fine with the Alloys and AT tyres on.
Mine has just passed the MOT with no advisories so guess the steering etc is OK.

What about the track rod ends and possibly the ball joint on the Steering box? These were going to be the next thing I looked at if it didn't solve it.

But as only just up the road can always look together, got a mate with a good selection of tools as well so can pretty much break anything... :)

mike142sl:
Do you have a steering damper? (I don't know much about defenders) I had the same prob after removing the old damper on my RRC, someone said it wasn't necessary but at 50mph the wobble was quite dangerous. Like you it was invariably started by a slight knock from a pothole or stone.

I fitted a new damper and problem gone.

Budgie:
Have you tightened the adjuster on the steering box to take out some of the slack?

I would also say look at the swivel pin re-load and the wheel bearings, doesn't cost anything to check them.  :wink:

Steering damper is another place that could be adding to the problem if that's gone. [edit: Like what he said above  #-o  ]

Matt_H:

--- Quote from: "Snooky" ---Can compare it to mine if you want,
--- End quote ---


that would be great, I'm really starting to tear my hair out over this one.

I'd not even thought about steering damper or swivel pins.. anyone got a spring balance thing?  Can the swivels be checked without dismantling the cv housing thingy?

Ball joints all seem ok although I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for to be honest :(


--- Quote from: "Budgie" ---Have you tightened the adjuster on the steering box to take out some of the slack?
--- End quote ---


I didn't even know there was one - where would I look?  (I guess the workshop manual would be a good start!)

Thanks chaps
Matthew

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