Thread: Brand new Puma drifting to the left

take it back to dealer and tell them to check bump steer, not sure how you do it on a defender but know how to do it on my race car

Jah, but what's really worrying me is the 4mm difference in the wheelbase measurements.

I would have thought that bump steer would only be a problem on something with IFS, not something with a solid front diff as the steering geometry stays the same throughout articulation.

Have you driven defenders before ? They will drift on high cambered roads.
The bump steer could be some of the suspension not tightened up properly or a faulty suspension bush.

Maybe a siezed brake caliper or oil on the disc is causing the swerving. The dealer should be able to easily diagnose this all of the above.

HTH

John D - Defender 110 2.4

Originally Posted by jddisco200tdi

Have you driven defenders before ? They will drift on high cambered roads.
The bump steer could be some of the suspension not tightened up properly or a faulty suspension bush.

Maybe a siezed brake caliper or oil on the disc is causing the swerving. The dealer should be able to easily diagnose this all of the above.

HTH

John D - Defender 110 2.4

I agree with you, it is a safety add on on the Defes so the driver do not fall sleep when driving
My 1994 is the same.

Originally Posted by jddisco200tdi

Have you driven defenders before ? They will drift on high cambered roads.

John, I used to have a 110 double-cab Td5, never ever drifted like this.

So far it could be either of these, which I am asking the stealer to check:

1. Check anti-sway bar is connected on the left hand side
2. Check ball joints and radius arm bushings
3. Excessive wheel bearing play, possibly caused by improper adjustment or poor bearing condition
4. Check camber and castor (if out something is bent and/or assembled incorrectly)
5. Rear wheels toe angles (0.9mm & -0.6mm) indicate both wheel are pointing off-centre in the same direction. Washers on the radius arms/chassis mounts?
6. Check bracket to which the left-front steering control rod is attached


But what is scaring me is the measurement from the wheel alignment that there is a 4mm difference in the wheelbase between left and right side!

Someone else in SA has found that a part of the left front suspension was welded 3mm+ incorrectly, and his Puma also drifts.

Originally Posted by Naks

But what is scaring me is the measurement from the wheel alignment that there is a 4mm difference in the wheelbase between left and right side!

Loose radius arm to chassis bush bolt allowing the axle to move forward a bit?

It's not a Defender thing

My TD5 doesn't wander about and tracks straight under braking. My '68 2a doesn't even drift; but the steering can be a bit vague though!