Thread: Problems with defenders steering sector shaft

Dave if I strip the box (I promise to take at least a couple of pics)
I can then post the shaft to you to work your blue hair rinse - dye mojo on it.
Then you can write it up because if I do it will be lame...

I can probably rip into this weekend, 25kn SE and pizzling with rain!

PM how you want me to strip it / photo it if you wanna go ahead.

S

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

This isn't a straight swap, incase anyone is thinking of trying it.

The input spline is smaller, but the column section can be made up by joining 1/2 a D2 and 1/2 a Defender lower column together, but the mounting bolt hole positions are different. It requires (not very easy) chassis mods to do.

Digging out an old thread here, but do you know where i can find pics of one thats been done? was considering doing this mod as the d2 steering boxes seems to go cheap on ebay.

This is the very reason I don't like to fit the heavy duty track rods etc, I'd rather them bend, than transmit force through the steering box.
And I don't necessarily agree that the D2 steering box is way tougher either. I have replaced several for local bodyworks after 'minor' accidents, due to tight spots during turning the wheel - bent shaft/ damaged worm etc. This has I'm sure also got to do with the D2 having a very much thicker wall and therefore stronger drag link. No bending = more damage to components upstream.

The D2 and P38a drag links are so much thicker and stronger, that I cut them up and use them for levering pipes and steel spacers etc etc


JC

I won't fit heavier track rods to mine either,I've been hauled over the coals about not fitting them before but they are a weak point for a reason. Pat

Hi All

Over the last year or so, there has been a couple of single vehicle smashes involving series one Discovery's, I am thinking that steering failure was the cause and not the driver.

The one that was here in Tasmania had the Discovery go at high speed into a tree, needless to say, that drivers report will have to wait until we all meet him sometime later in the after life.

The thought of a sudden and total steering failure happening on the open road isn't nice.

Is there any way of getting reports about the cause of smashes from the investigations?

Cheers Arthur

The above failure isn't single impact, it's fatigue (accumulated damage).

Heavier trackrods may make it happen faster, but they won't make the difference between it breaking or not unless you were lucky enough to retire the vehicle before it finally broke through.

Dougal, do you reckon it's a machining/transition issue or just too small a section and that point is obviously the weak point ?

Originally Posted by cal415

Digging out an old thread here, but do you know where i can find pics of one thats been done? was considering doing this mod as the d2 steering boxes seems to go cheap on ebay.

I've just had a look through my picture collection and I dont really have any that show it.

This is the best I can find - Basically I laminated the wall of the chassis rail with some extra metal (cant remember exact thickness anymore - it was years ago) then put the steering box in position and drilled the holes: I had to do a fair amount of strengthening from memory too - but its all gone a bit hazy! sorry



A bit further on:



Having done it, I dont think it is really worth bothering with. I must have had too much time on my hands back then! I just decided to see if I could fit d2 drivetrain on a 90 for something to do!

The only real improvement is the speed of the box. It's slightly less turns lock to lock from memory. The fitting of it was a pain

As for the comments re the upgraded arms, I broke a steeringbox with std drag link and panhard rod. The impact was so hard, that the panhard rod bent back 2"