Thread: Extremely light steering Range Rover Classic 1982

My first thought was swivel pin preload too. Second though was it had a lift of over three inches, a reduced caster angle lightens it.

Maybe check the steering damper, I took the p38 for a drive with no steering damper and it was light and a tinny bit shakey.

My third is the mental image steering with your tongue, and the taste of the 30 odd years of grime. How did it taste by the way?

Salt mixed in with taste of aged plastic - salty plum probably sums it up - actually that's an insult to the plum!

I did it several times to prove to myself how light the steering was when vehicle stationary, but engine running. It was a bit like a Simpsons 'is my brother dumber than a hamster moment' - Lisa experiments by putting an electrified cup cake on top of a shelf - hamster learns from one shock not to touch it again, while Bart makes repeated attempts despite shock.

The fact that I can move the steering wheel so easily and see the wheels move lock to lock - while the vehicle is stationary, engine running...and I mean stationary...seems to point to excess pressure to the steering box. I could only describe the effect as being as if you had a hydraulic ram working on the steering like the comp trucks - but nothing like that is evident. I wonder if the previous owner has tampered with the box or something like a relief valve is not set or damaged.

Would lack of preload/faulty damper/lift allow such easy movement while stationary? I'll try taking the shock off and checking it out, but that could be some time away as the vehicle is not priority at the moment. If its preload then I'd rather tackle that when installing the locker and stronger axles etc.

Both my 1982 vehicles have lifts - probably two and a half inches I'd say. But the earlier model has no indication of steering problems.

If its not the box then your thoughts are running in the same direction as mine for other causes.

How's Bendigo - no fire dangers? We're heading into cyclone season.

When your track it down, - I want to do it to my '95 Classic. (Unmodified, apart from 2WD...)

Never been impressed with the effort required or the 'vagueness' (compared to my old Pajero) . - Indeed, most of the big busses I drive have more responsive and lighter steering.
- Or is it 'cos I've been spoilt with German and Jap cars...

There's a relief valve in the steering box, that limits the amount of hydraulic assistance. I remember these valves can get worn out, and jam shut, result is a very light wheel. Unfortunately from what remember, the fix is a new or 2nd hand box.

Originally Posted by BilboBoggles

There's a relief valve in the steering box, that limits the amount of hydraulic assistance. I remember these valves can get worn out, and jam shut, result is a very light wheel. Unfortunately from what remember, the fix is a new or 2nd hand box.

... But, does this damage the box or anything else?

- Apart from scaring the life out of you if you should sneeze at speeeeed...

I had to replace mine with a service exchange box. Drove it without the PS for a while because the light steering was dangerous.

Fair enough if it was that light... The Chrysler Valiant that I drove with optional PS was... diabolocal. Reversing down the drive the first time resulted in 'Pilot Induced Osccilations' .

Maybe a light engine oil next time.... after fixing the (nex)t leak/split hose/etc

Thanks BilboBoggles for that bit of info – I suspect you are correct as to the problem. The vehicle is not my daily drive so be a while before I tackle the job head on. About a year ago I got a price from MR Automotive for a new box for a Disco 1, under $800 plus postage – they said the price for reconditioning was almost a match for new. Need to find if the Disco and RRC boxes are compatible. I get the impression the RRC has a tighter turn.

Re superquags comments. I'll swap you my light box for your heavy Meet you half way in Alice...no, make that Noonamah

I've driven sedans that have light power steering, and what I have at the moment doesn't compare. There is a difference between hmm, this is light! and crikey this is light!!!!!!!! Bring out the brown corduroys (I know some landy owners wear them as matter of course). To me it feels dangerous, too sensitive to the slightest movement of the steering wheel. I guess you could get used to it, but what happens when you instinctively swerve for some issue? My guess is that seals would be damaged by over pressure, however, my understanding is the real risk to seals (apart from normal wear) is generally exposure to hot oil on full lock for more than 30 second (if I remember correctly the booklet supplied with the vehicle when new). Should I fit a hydraulic winch and keep it rolling as a pressure by-pass

When you say you are in 2wd have you changed the centre diff over for a part time system, or are some of your axles out/drive shaft off...regardless, how do you find it? I was considering a conversion but Ashcroft recons you might not like the feel of the vehicle – not sure if it is to do with power transfer ratios front to back (not sure what split landys have). Going to put in their centre diff replacement to avoid fusing thrust washers (you wouldn't think it would happen).

Milton477, you said you drove your box without power steering. I'm curious about how much effort you had to use to turn the steering wheel.

I'm of the older generation that when your brake booster failed you would buy a new diaphragm to fit into the clam. And power steering was an option. No power assist was no issue at all when the vehicle was rolling even in the slightest. And when the vehicle was stationary it was only a small amount of extra effort. Big tyres are a different issue. So of course I thought, when power steering broke, your steering would revert to what you had in the old days, and was no big deal.

How wrong I was!

One of my Disco's lost the serpentine belt because the bolt holding the belt tensioner broke. As an aside, the cause? I had used the washer behind the tensioner trick to stop squeal – another story, and will never do that again. Anyway, the steering became incredibly heavy, even when the vehicle was on the move – it felt like I had dumbbells dangling from my arms, such was the effort. Dudd power assist on the Disco does not return it to the good old days – it becomes extremely difficult to steer.

But I wondered why? I've yet to experiment. Is the steering geometry (leverage) for modern power assist systems different to the old non powered? I did wonder, with failed power assist, are you not only trying to steer your vehicle against the tyres as in the old days (which was no real issue), but are you also fighting the oil that is resident in any hydraulic systems within the box, the pump itself or the lines back to the reservoir. In other words if I disconnected the hydraulic lines and emptied the box of oil would I get a box that be reverted to something like the good old days ie quite useable?

Would suggest people take off their serpentine belts and run their vehicle for a few metres to get an appreciation of failed power assist. Not an expert, so it may be that different brands of power assisted boxes respond to loss of power in different ways. All I know is the Disco 1 is a super heavy weight when the assist goes.