Steering Wander

[Bobg]

Hi all, back to the fold with my third D11, a 2003 XS.
I have a little problem though with the steering, which I have not encountered with my others trucks. There seems to be a little steering wander, especially over white lines, and rutted roads. I'm currently using the 18" Goodyears that came with the truck, and was wondering if these are the issue.
I've tried playing aroud with the tyre pressures,and currently running about 30 psi. This seemed to help a littel but not much.
On straight roads theres no problem, and under braking, they seem to pull to the left a little, especially if there is a camber on the road.
Any advice?

[Toowild78]

Make sure the tire pressures are what LR recommends.
Also maybe a 4 wheel alignment, and change the steering stabalizer to a bilstien or ome.
just my thoughts.

[Bobg]

Cheers Toowild, that was a quick reply.
As it happens, I'm getting the allignment checked this afternoon, so while I'm there, I'll see if I can get them to lift it up, to check the stabiliser.

[DiscoDream2]

If it happens under braking, when was the last time brakes were done, is there any squeeling/squeeking?

Toowild is correct, check:

• Tire pressure
• Alignment -worn tires
• Brakes - need replacing and pulling one way too hard
• Lug nuts tight

then, stablalizer, it could be shot and you may not even notice untill extreme conditions...If your high mileage, it maybe time for shocks, brakes, alignment all around.

[Disco Mike]

First, you are to low on air pressure, get it closer to 40 front and rear.
As for the problem, you may have a bad tie rod end, have the alignment shop check for anything loose or warn out, rotate your tires if they are warn with irregular tire wear.
Do you have a lift, if so that can cause the truck to track.

[Bobg]

Cheers all for your input, I'll go through what I've done so far:
-allignment checked today, spot on
-no adverse tyre wear
-managed to get underneath with a mechanic at the same time, tested all joints and checked for off road damage, all ok
-truck only has 51K on the clock, not lifted, and still looks like new underneath :-)
-will check the wear on the brake pads tomorrow, discs are all ok
-Disco Mike, are you sure about the tyre pressures, 40 seems high for the front, my manual says 30 front and 38 rear

[DiscoDream2]

Originally Posted by Bobg

Cheers all for your input, I'll go through what I've done so far:
-allignment checked today, spot on
-no adverse tyre wear
-managed to get underneath with a mechanic at the same time, tested all joints and checked for off road damage, all ok
-truck only has 51K on the clock, not lifted, and still looks like new underneath :-)
-will check the wear on the brake pads tomorrow, discs are all ok
-Disco Mike, are you sure about the tyre pressures, 40 seems high for the front, my manual says 30 front and 38 rear

Did they check those brakes? (oh TMRO) Bad pads can be a culprit too. Possibly caliper issue??, I had a frozen caliper that would pull hard left upon braking. Then it stopped, as it stuck all together..had to hammer it off...replaced it, all is good, just a random thought.

[jcat]

yeah, my door label says 28 front and 38 rear...whats up with that?

[Bobg]

Checked the calipers today, and found one pot very stiff on the nearside caliper. Managed to free it, but the disc has worn uneven, so I'll replace them both. Now the next problem, anyone got any idea what the size is of the star bolt at the back of the caliper?, And where can I get one in the UK?

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by Bobg

Cheers all for your input, I'll go through what I've done so far:
-allignment checked today, spot on
-no adverse tyre wear
-managed to get underneath with a mechanic at the same time, tested all joints and checked for off road damage, all ok
-truck only has 51K on the clock, not lifted, and still looks like new underneath :-)
-will check the wear on the brake pads tomorrow, discs are all ok
-Disco Mike, are you sure about the tyre pressures, 40 seems high for the front, my manual says 30 front and 38 rear

The manual is a comfort/saftey setting. Running them even at around 38 plus will give you better tire wear, MPG and steering control.

[DiscoDream2]

Originally Posted by Bobg

Checked the calipers today, and found one pot very stiff on the nearside caliper. Managed to free it, but the disc has worn uneven, so I'll replace them both. Now the next problem, anyone got any idea what the size is of the star bolt at the back of the caliper?, And where can I get one in the UK?

Rangie can probably help you with the UK supplier.

[spiderfreak80]

oops....sorry. pulled the trigger a little fast on posting... I thought this thread was on "Stevie Wonder"....I read "Steering Wander" a little too fast....