Hard steering in a Discovery 2 td5 2000

[ZippoParis]

Hi all,

I've looked and looked regarding the hard steering on Discovery 2 TD5, but all the references I've found has been on the Defender.

Around 4 weeks ago, on a trip to Lithgow, the steering started to get a little hard. I let the tyres down, went off-road, pumped up the tyres and started the way back to Sydney. The steering was normal, again. Within 200km (2 weeks), the steering started to get harder and harder.
I've taken the dampener off - It made the Disco steering a little easier but still hard.

(The steering wheel) From the centre position, and turning either right or left, it feels like it's trying to get past a seized or tight spot. Better yet. It feels like I have a flat tyre - No, I don't have a flat tyre.

Do any of the Discovery 2 owners had/have this problem?

If so: What is it?
Steering box? Pump?

Cheers.

[Slunnie]

Steering linkage between the two wheels isnt bent and rubbing on the diff is it?

[ZippoParis]

Steering linkage between the two wheels isnt bent and rubbing on the diff is it?

No, all clear.

If it got hard as soon as I got off the tracks? I'd say, sure, something is bent. It happened 2 weeks and 200km later.

At first, it was intermediate. Now it's there all the time.

Cheers.

[CJT]

Does it start off hard / tight and then it goes kind of loose?

If so check out the uni joints in your steering shaft.

I had one seized up so you would have to work a bit for it to turn.

[ZippoParis]

Does it start off hard / tight and then it goes kind of loose?

If so check out the uni joints in your steering shaft.

I had one seized up so you would have to work a bit for it to turn.

It does. I will.

Cheers.

[clubagreenie]

I have something similar but it's at the far end of turning right. I get more left lock than right but the stops are set ok, it's actually the box (or something stopping the box) not reaching the same angle right as left.

[ZippoParis]

Update:

Power steering specialist: Yeah, the intermediate steering shaft has a bad uni joint.

I wanted to take it to Opposite Lock--owner has a Defender--to ask someone that actually has a Land Rover: Yeah, the intermediate steering shaft has a bad uni joint.

Price:
Opposite Lock = $5??.??
Rovercraft = $4??.??

UK = 150 pounds.

How dumb do these people think we are? Do they not know that we can use the Internet?

I try and always buy locally. But this is pure and simple, "let's see how much these idiots will pay for these items?"

Here goes some more money overseas.

Thank you all for your help. I will post more as it happens.

Cheers.

[wardy1]

Mine did exactly the same thing on the way to Qld a couple of years ago. It will be the top uni on the steering column. easy fix. I got mine done in about 1/2 and hour and it was about $300 including genuine replacement part and labour.

[ZippoParis]

@wardy1,

That is reasonable. Here, I have 2 suppliers/trade/whatever their called that only deal with Land Rovers. They don't sell individual parts for that item. 1 specialist that won't fix it as he only rebuilds components.

For $300 supplied and fitted? Yes, please.

As mentioned before. Supplies from the UK is still cheaper and quicker.

Cheers.

[wardy1]

As I said, that was a couple of years ago, the guy was on the Gold Coast.... can't remember his name. It might have been $320 but certainly no more than that fitted.

[ZippoParis]

I ordered from the UK.
1 x Steering Intermediate Shaft
4 x Rear Output Flange Propshaft Bolts
4 x Front Output Propshaft Bolts
1 x Propshaft Tool 1/2" Drive

Parts and postage 134.34 pounds ($203), and they usually refund around 20 pounds when I check my credit card.

Latest prices in Sydney: from $485 to $1500 just for the Intermediate Shaft.

As mentioned before. They think we're so stupid.

Cheers.

[LRDTD5]

Yep happen to my D2 a few months ago.. jammed up all of sudden.. changed the steering shaft... unis packed up..:D

[clubagreenie]

Zippo, do have a list of part no's for the bits you purchased (and where from). I need same, incl diff stuff. Sounds the way to go.

[ZippoParis]

This is what I purchased:
eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280726552293'ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649)

This is where I purchased it from:
DLS LAND ROVER SPARES UK items - Get great deals on items on eBay Stores! (http://stores.ebay.com.au/DLS-LAND-ROVER-SPARES-UK?_trksid=p4340.l2563)

Diff stuff: Internals or protectors?

I purchased the bolt-on protectors that bend around the bottom and bolt to the back - near the flange - Front and back. And let me tell you; I needed them on the last trip to Zig Zag. Plenty of times the whole disco was sitting on the protectors.

If you were interested.

Cheers.

[ZippoParis]

Intermediate steering shaft is here, and if all goes well this weekend, I'll fit it. Which brings me to the next question.

Is there a real need for the steering damper?

I imagine the steering would get a little wobblier, right?

Anyone "not" put the damper back? Removed it?

Cheers.

[Wasa57]

Zippo, thanks for the DLS tip. Just checked all 13 pages of their D2 spares - unbeleivable range and low prices! Well worth a look-see, folks!

[ZippoParis]

Zippo, thanks for the DLS tip. Just checked all 13 pages of their D2 spares - unbeleivable range and low prices! Well worth a look-see, folks!

With all the advice and help from this site (www.aulro.com (http://www.aulro.com)), it nice to have something to give back.

Wasa57, you're welcome.

Cheers.

[ZippoParis]

Okay, I did the job, but the steering is still a little hard...Well, harder than before this all started.

The old steering shaft doesn't seem to have any play in the joints. I'm thinking, maybe it's the steering box?

[clubagreenie]

There's adjustment in the box, not sure exactly what it's adjusting but it may be that some degree of preload is a by-product of this adjustment.

[ZippoParis]

There's adjustment in the box, not sure exactly what it's adjusting but it may be that some degree of preload is a by-product of this adjustment.

Yes, I looked at that, and maybe I may have tighten a little too much. I was trying to get rid of the free-play in the steering wheel.

I'll have to have another go.

[ZippoParis]

Hi all,

I finally adjusted the steering box. It takes me ages to do anything due to the lack of space in apartment living.

Seems to be okay. I've not re-connected the steering damper (yet). It's light enough, but you can feel every bump on the road.

Thank you for all your help.

Cheers.