Defender 300 Tdi Steering play 1997

[wamccutcheon]

Evening all,

Just wondered if anybody has been brave enough to make an adjustment on the power steering box (pah, easy, I hear you cry!!!!). Well, I am a little confused as to what to do...the Workshop manual makes it seem over complicated and tells to basically take the car apart. Advice from a friend says undo the locknut and turn something, but am not sure what?

I have a lot of play when travelling and its becoming a bit of a nightmare when on the motorways. It seems to take a quarter turn to move the wheels which is not normal as I have had other defenders.

No leaks or anything untoward, so just wondered if anyone had some advice for me.

Lets hope so...I still have 2 hours light left!

Regards.

Will.

[Den]

I guess that what you're referring to when you say that the manual "tells to basically take the car apart" is the removal of the drag link. In your case, I wouldn't bother with that until you know what's causing the play in the steering. A ¼-turn of play is, frankly, dangerous...

But the good news is that you don't need to remove anything to adjust the steering box. I suggest the following. You'll need an assistant. Apply handbrake and chock the rear wheels. Jack up the front wheels (2" off the ground is enough), then rest on axle stands.

Remove the ignition key, allowing the steering wheel to lock. (it won't lock in the centralised position, but that's fine) Now swivel each front wheel left and right against the locked steering. It should be almost rigid, with not more than perhaps 6mm (¼") of movement. If there's more, visually check where the play is. It could be in the radius arm bushes, the panhard rod bushes and anchor bolts (if faulty, this allows the entire front axle to move left and right, which really hampers directional stability), the ball-joints on the steering rods, the universal on the steering column, the rubber bushes of the collapsable section of the column, etc. If that all checks out okay, then...

Adjust the steering box. First unlock the steering and centralize the steering wheel. Loosen the lock nut (on the top of the steering box) and, while your assistant rocks a front wheel left and right, slowly tighten the adjuster. You should notice an immediate reduction in backlash (play). Tighten the lock-nut (finger-tight is okay), start the engine, and turn the steering wheel from centre to full left lock, to full right lock, and back to centre - check that it's not too stiff. Turn off, and repeat the adjuster tightening procedure. If the steering gets too stiff, back off on the adjustor. Finally, tighten the lock-nut properly, drop the truck off the axle stands, and take it on a road test.

Hold the steering wheel very lightly and check whether it pulls off center. If so, you'll have to go through the steering box centralizing procedure, which will require loosening (if not removal) of some of the steering linkages. If that is the case, spray all the threads with penetrating oil, let it soak for a few days, then come back here for help...

As a postscript, don't attempt to repair steering, braking or suspension systems yourself, unless you are confident and competent. Errors here can be FATAL! So, if you're unsure, let an expert do it.

Good luck.

[george130]

Originally Posted by Den

I guess that what you're referring to when you say that the manual "tells to basically take the car apart" is the removal of the drag link.
Good luck.

The drag link is easy to remove. Had to straiten mine in the middle of nowhere. Drove for the rest of the day an then straitened it some more. Still had to drive 500km (300 miles) before I cot my replacement to fit. The drag link is the bar that joins the front steering togethre at the back. Two ball joints to undo and its gone. The pain is fitting a replacement as you need to make certain the wheels are alligned.

[WCURoverD90]

Originally Posted by wamccutcheon

Evening all,

Just wondered if anybody has been brave enough to make an adjustment on the power steering box (pah, easy, I hear you cry!!!!). Well, I am a little confused as to what to do...the Workshop manual makes it seem over complicated and tells to basically take the car apart. Advice from a friend says undo the locknut and turn something, but am not sure what?

I have a lot of play when travelling and its becoming a bit of a nightmare when on the motorways. It seems to take a quarter turn to move the wheels which is not normal as I have had other defenders.

No leaks or anything untoward, so just wondered if anyone had some advice for me.

Lets hope so...I still have 2 hours light left!

Regards.

Will.

I had a lot of play in my steering wheel on my 97 and once I took it to a shop it was determined that I need to get new components. Once I got them all the play was gone and it was tight as could be.