Puma Defender Castor Corrected Swivel Hubs

[lukebakhuizen]

Hello Everyone!

I need to do castor correction for my new project build 2009 Puma Defender (Kingpin custom long travel remote res setup and a 2" lift on Les Richmond springs.) Currently I have no vibrations at the seat of my pants, however the steering wheel wobbles around 80-90kph then goes away above 100kph so it's most likely the castor that needs to be corrected [bighmmm]

It is currently 3 degrees out of factory and I have been told machining the swivel balls is the best method to correct this as correcting via radias arms or bushes etc will move other things out of line and maybe cause the vibration that some pumas experience when being lifted (that I have been luckly enough to avoid!) HOWEVER after speaking to Bruce Davis Automotive, Bruce advised me that he wont machine the swivel hubs on a Puma defender (he only does this on the pre-puma models) as the Pumas have been apparently reinforced on the swivel hubs and machining them will cause weakness and also apparently not really possible as they wont fit or something?? [bigsad] He said I would have to research for an aftermarket swivel hub adapter replacement to combat this or correct the castor a different way? Has anybody gone through this or heard of this before?

Would appreciate any advice or alternatives, I did find this kit online Castor Correction Swivel Ball Kit - Paddock Spares (https://www.paddockspares.com/castor-correction-swivel-ball-kit-defender-1994-1998.html) Not sure if this will be any different to the method of machining the current swivel hubs?

Here is the build:

153874

[dennisS1]

Hi, I have had lots of problems with after market wheels on 2008 130, probable same as yours wobbles around 80 to 95Km had them balanced over and over again all the manage to do is change the speed range a bit. Solution is find a wheel balance machine that holds the wheel by the stud holes not the centre and problem solved.
Regards Dennis

[lukebakhuizen]

Thanks Dennis!

Will try a thorough wheel balance after, currently I have the balancing beads in the wheels.. I really need to correct the castor regardless so still need to find an option for the swivel hubs to be machined on the Puma.

[blackrangie]

How do most people fix the castor on pumas? They are weld on balls not bolt on like earlier models i believe.

Castor corrected front arms and DC prop?

[POD]

How do most people fix the castor on pumas? They are weld on balls not bolt on like earlier models i believe.

Castor corrected front arms and DC prop?

The swivel balls on my 2008 Puma-engined 130 are bolt-on just like all my previous LR vehicles. I was planning on slotting them for caster correction when I lifted the suspension but was told this isn't necessary on the 130 as the long wheelbase makes it track well regardless. This turns out to be true. Unlike my last RR which handled like a coles trolley without caster correction.
I have the equipment necessary to properly slot the swivel housings- i.e. milling machine and rotary table- and have thought about offering this service to AULRO members for a modest fee at owners risk but I don't know about the suggested problem with the later axles.

[DazzaTD5]

A stock height Defender or a moderately lifted 2" over standard height does not need castor correction.
Some Defender models after a lift do need a different front prop shaft to account for the greater angle it runs out, but its prolly 1 in 10 that need it.

But... if you are going to do big big lifts and big big tyres such as the OP's pic then yes castor correction would be needed, after market radius arms? mod'd swivel balls?

All Defender models upto 2016 have bolt on swivel balls.