Steering play in puma 110

[LRH110]

Hi guys, last season we took the 110 up cape York and she got a bit of a workout to say the least. I'm now having a few issues pop up, one of which is some serious play in the steering and a wobble around 90-100, both of which seems to be getting slowly worse. I have already replaced the steering damper and power steering arm and done wheel balance and alignment.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[dullbird]

have you checked your wheel bearings?

have you also had your bushes checked?

have you had the preload checked?

[JDNSW]

There have been a number of threads on similar subjects, which a search should find. I doubt the problem is specific to the Puma, but will be similar to ones on all coil sprung solid axle Landrovers.

Most likely is tie rod ends or swivel preload, but there are a number of other possibilities. And bear in mind that there may not be a single problem, but a series of small problems. The trouble with this is you fix one and cure the wobble, so you think "Ah! found it!", only to find that it is back when one of the other problems gets slightly worse.

John

[BilboBoggles]

Park it, then with the engine running, turn the wheel side to side about 3-4 inches. Does the Defender move side to side as well? If it does then your Panhard Rod bushes may be flogged out. I got some really weird handling and wobbles when my bushes were eaten out by a power steering leak.


If that's not it, have someone else wobble the wheel side to side, whilst you watch the various joints. Take special note of the universal joints in the steering shaft that leads to the steering box. If those come loose it can make things rather interesting. You can visually check the tie rod ends etc as well using the wobble method.

Does the wobble happen on a smooth road straight ahead, and always happen at that same speed? If it does - then you may need to get your tyres balanced- or replaced something that is moving is inducing the vibration. If the wobble only happens when turning at that speed or after a bump then it's some sort of play or lack of damping in the steering system.

[LRH110]

Cheers guys, I'll have a look today at all the things you have mentioned and let you know how I go.