D4 sticky steering - temporary

[jillr]

Hi all, has anyone come across a D4 SE steering getting a bit heavy then sticking while driving? I braked, then everything was fine after. Took it carefully for a while after that.
Later, Speleomike took it out and could not fault it. No obvious problems logged on the RovacomIQ.
History for the day: 250 km, 30 degrees, aircon on, highway 100 km/hr, lots of hills, perfectly fine. Stop/start traffic at Pennant Hills: strange steering.
No oil on the ground underneath, no oil visible under bonnet, steering fluid level OK.
- Jillr

[Ferret]

Yes seen something like this before. Check the uni-joint in the steering column. Try spraying with some lube but most likely just a short term measure - it could be buggered.

[INter674]

Not had this on the D4 but as already noted had a D1 steering shaft uni joint sieze causing same intermittent binding you describe.

We do have a slight fluid loss tho ..a few mls per month..on the D4 ps but I cant see any leaks anywhere...prolly going into the dust boot I guess😐. Might heal itself hopefully😃

[Eric SDV6SE]

Has your PS fluid ever been changed? Check steering column flange bolts, and uni joint, but my money is on the fluid being like molasses....pump has to work extra hard then, changing steering response.

[Stiltz]

I have just experienced that same thing. My only difference is it is stiff when turning at cert angles.
Oil was changed 2yrs ago (20k).
I will try lubricating the uni joint and go from there

[Milton477]

We recently changed the universal joint on my son's D3. The steering was tight & would not self center. Easy enough to fix. I was amazed at just how worn out the uni joint was.

[Stiltz]

We recently changed the universal joint on my son's D3. The steering was tight & would not self center. Easy enough to fix. I was amazed at just how worn out the uni joint was.That describes exactly my issue. Might give it a try!
Do you have the part number and cost at hand?

[PeterJ]

Have not done a land Rover one specifically but it's caused by the fact that the needle rollers that run inside the cup can Brinnel and create a little indent into the inner circumference of the cup. The needle roller sits in the little indentation and give you that initial feeling of not being able to turn the steering away from centre or away from the fixed point. So likely a new universal joint will cure your ills. I had this exact thing on a motorbike, made riding it very difficult, you are not aware of all the tiny adjustments you make to the steering until you can't.
Peter

[Milton477]

That describes exactly my issue. Might give it a try!
Do you have the part number and cost at hand?

No, sorry, our local Indy supplied what we needed. Wasn't expensive either.

[Stiltz]

Thanks @Milton477 . I bought a lower steering column shaft (LR071146) for $160. Got my indi to install. Too many specific tools needed.