245/75 16 tire

[WEEBEDNA]

I just purchased an 83 Series 3 88. The tie rods and other steering components are new as are the tires. Problem is that the truck wants to wander all over the road and doesn't like making turns. It takes quite an effort to turn the wheel. In looking at other posts, it sounds like the 245x75x16 tire is way too wide (about 9.6" wide). Is this most likely the cause of the poor steering response?
Thanks

[mbrummal]

Check your alignment. Was it aligned after replacing the steering components?

[WEEBEDNA]

I just purchased and I'm not sure if the alignment was done. I will check on that because wow...7.5x16 tires are expensive.

[Greg S]

You can find 7.50 16 tires?

Replaced by 235 85 16 years ago

245 75 16 are very slightly wider than the 235's (less than 1/2") and mine seem to steer fine with them. A VERY common problem with Series Land Rovers that have poor steering is lack of lubrication in the steering relay. That's the right angle change of direction device mounted in the front cross member. (doubles as a steering damper too) On the top of it are four small bolts, (1/4") head IIRC. You undo two of them and then drip 90w gear oil into one of them, one drop at a time. The other is open for a vent. When the unit is full, oil will appear at the vent. Do up both bolts and drive for a few miles and you'll find your steering will slowly improve. Check underneath and see if the bottom seal on this unit is leaking, if so, refill it every couple weeks or when the steering starts to get vague again. Might be every day or once a month, depends on your vehicle. To remove the grill, take the two bolts out with a NUT DRIVER and fill with oil should only take you a matter of 15 minutes, maybe less. Depends what you have to drip the oil in with too. I have one of those cheap little plastic pumps designed for pumping gear oil out of the one quart plastic gear oil containers; just pump it enough that the oil drizzles out the hose.

Your problem could be other things of course, but this is common and very easy to fix. Like I said, mine steers very well with 245 75 16 BFG MT's. I run 30 psi on the road but did have 25 psi. Steers ever so slightly better at 30psi.

It is an easy job to replace the bottom seal while it is still in the vehicle.

[WEEBEDNA]

Thanks for the info. I'll check the relay first. I hope that is the issue as the tires are basically new. Tire Rack sells the Yokahama 7.5x16. Thats about the only place I've seen them.