Heavy Steering??

[stevo68]

G'day All,

Well aside from having what I believe is my first 3 Amigos episode tonight ie TC, ABS and HDC, my steering is feeling "heavy". What could be a cause of that? Thanks,

Regards

Stevo

[100I]

Have you checked the power steer reservoir fluid?
Any leaks?

[Blknight.aus]

lets start simple whats the tyre pressures on the front like?

then check the quality of the oil in the powersteering resivior and the quantity.

anything amiss there will be the clues to finding the acutal fault.

[JDNSW]

Most likely problems:-

1. Soft tyres
2. Power steering problems - loose belt, sick pump, leaking fluid
3. Seized u-joints in the steering column
4. Partly seized swivels (pretty unlikely)

John

[stevo68]

Thanks for the feedback, tyres are fine, so in terms of power steering fluid etc, will that show in the manual where to look?? Yeah I know, clueless when it comes to this sort of thing....and perhaps something I should start to learn where everything is,

Regards

Stevo

[100I]

Mines not D2 , but on most cars it's normally toward the front of the engine bay, on a D1 it's next to the radiator LHS.
It will usually have a black plastic cap about 2.5" diameter with large "knurling" and with a short dipstick, and may have a yellow sticker or similar to indicate a fluid check point.

[100I]

8400

[mike 90 RR]

Can be as simple as a wheel alignment, When is the last time you had it checked ?

[stevo68]

Thanks for the responses. I checked the Power steering fluid, seems fine...was at max....though had to look in manual to find where it was under the engine bay :angel:. As for wheel alignment, Ive only had it for 5 weeks now but will be up for a service soon so going to get all checked out. It does seem to pull to the left a bit, but even still does feel a bit heavy, dont know if that is a cause of non wheel alignment?? As stated I have as much mechanical nouse as a gnat would, so appreciate the feedback,

Regards

Stevo

[100I]

I've noticed our 'new' TDI is a heck of a lot heavier than our V8.
It has new hoses so I suspect that it's been let run dry at some point and the damage is done, but then I haven't looked hard at it yet.

[harry]

stevo, you said the other night you changed a tyre, was it on the front?
and all the others have said it all, however if the heavyness is new to the beast, maybe we need to talk

[mike 90 RR]

Thanks for the responses. I checked the Power steering fluid, seems fine...was at max....though had to look in manual to find where it was under the engine bay :angel:. As for wheel alignment, Ive only had it for 5 weeks now but will be up for a service soon so going to get all checked out. It does seem to pull to the left a bit, but even still does feel a bit heavy, dont know if that is a cause of non wheel alignment?? As stated I have as much mechanical nouse as a gnat would, so appreciate the feedback,

Regards

Stevo

I still going with the alignment, as they don't have to pull to the side to be out
The tyre shop should be able to set them to be "Heavy or lighter" on the steering


:)

[abaddonxi]

Think the problem is you're tired from all of that baby lifting.

:D

Cheers
Simon

[stevo68]

stevo, you said the other night you changed a tyre, was it on the front?
and all the others have said it all, however if the heavyness is new to the beast, maybe we need to talk Hey mate, nah was rear passenger tyre that I changed. Look for all I know it might just be me :angel:, so will get someone else to take for a drive soon and see what they think. As Mike 90 RR has stated could be as simple as a wheel alignment.


Think the problem is you're tired from all of that baby lifting.

:D

Cheers
Simon I could say yes, but would be hung, drawn and quartered by SWMBO, though I do as much as I can in that department :),

Regards

Stevo

[AussieLandRover]

After replacing my steering box, tie rod joints and the steering damper I still have heavy steering so the only thing I can look at are the swivel hubs they might need new fluid. Are these easy to do ?

[mike 90 RR]

After replacing my steering box, tie rod joints and the steering damper I still have heavy steering so the only thing I can look at are the swivel hubs they might need new fluid. Are these easy to do ?


What type of transport is she?
Why did you do all that work?
Who did the work? :wasntme:

[AussieLandRover]

What type of transport is she?
Why did you do all that work?
Who did the work? :wasntme:



1995 Land Rover Discovery.
Steering Box Was Sloppy & Leaking, Damper was shot so did the whole thing.
My excellent certified Mechanic.

There is a big improvement after the job but I feel it's still heavy in the steering so it's why i would be looking at refershing the oil on the swivel hubs and the reason I was asking if someone has done them before and how you go about it etc.

[Blknight.aus]

changing the oil in the swivels wont help this...

if the swivels are binding the swivel bearings are either shot or setup wrong.

try jacking it up dropping the tie rod off of the side that doesnt also have the drag link attached and see what it turns like

then drop the drag link off and see how that side turns.

my moneys on them being smooth.

[mike 90 RR]

I'm with BL Night on answer
Jack up the front end (wheels off the ground) & give (grab) the wheels and turn lock to lock / should "feel" any bad swivel bearings

If you have replaced all that gear, Did you get a wheel alignment?
Different tyres give different steering responce, so check / research those

Also check out all the other answers on threads

If you replaced the steering damper / Test it with out it connected cause if it's standard it will be a light resistance / if it's aftermarket heavy duty then it will be heavy on the steering.

This will keep you busy this weekend :p

"Not a expert, Just making my way thru the jungle" ;)