Series 3 Steering Freeplay

[Phoenix]

I had it tightened a few months back, but it seems to be a bit sloppy still.

As my highway speed should be increasing soon, i'd like to sort this issue out.

I have heard that it may be the steering box being loose, so i'm checking that out tonight, but how much freeplay should there be.

Also note, I haven't had a chance to look at the workshop manual yet.

[juddo]

The stering box is a reticulated (sp) ball type. They usually have more free play than a rack and pinion steering. I so not think that the series landrovers were designed to travel at much more than 50 miles an hour. They all seem to wander at speeds above this. Dad has just adjusted and toped up the steering box and tightened and regreased all the joints in the series III. It made a huge difference, but there is still a decent amount of freeplay in the centre of the steering. It does not seem to wander anywhere near as much though.

[Phoenix]

I might have to have a close look at those things, although I suspect that I am just being pedantic. This is the first car that I have owned that has has any freeplay in the steering.


Thanks for the hints style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[UncleHo]

Hi Phoenix style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif
there are several places in the steering system that can give exess play, all these can be checked with the help of an assistant moving the wheel, steering box loose on mounting bracket, pitman arm loose on sector shaft spline, horizontal tie rod end worn, upper relay lever loose on spline, lower relay lever loose(VERY COMMON) this can have disastrous consequences as if it drops off all steering is lost ,I have seen the results of two accidents caused by this bent cars and battered people, check all other tie rod ends for play, if all that is ok then adjust the sreering box to give 1-2 inches free play at straight ahead position by adjusting the set screw and lock nut (under the mud shield on r/h guard) the steering should not be tight or stiff to turn. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif :wink:

[Phoenix]

Cheers rocket, that gives me a few other things to check out, some of which sond common.

I'll post back with the results 8)