I had two types of steering wobble issues, one masking the other.
The first wobble was caused by hitting pot holes or deformations in the tarmac. The wheel would go left-right-left-right, quite violently, but would continue to track OK, then settle until the next bump. This was found to be caused by deteriorated shock rubber mounts, particularly the lower set, on the same side as the pesky leaking vacuum pump - oil killed the rubber. Pressing the vehicle corner showed up the play available. In other words the axle was able to travel up or down freely for a moment, before the shocks could moderate the movement. The momentary free paly would translate up the steering connections to the steering wheel - felt like someone trying to pull the wheel out of your hand.
Thought I had the steering fixed after new shock rubbers installed.
But I found there was an underlying constant low level vibration of the steering wheel. Solved by fixing preload.
I also had Dougal's issue, to the extend one bolt of the four bolts that mount the steering box to the chassis had fallen out. Would suggest you ensure the washers are high tensile steel, and the nut is either loctited or is a locknut (my preference), In addition, there are two more bolts that attach the lower part of the steering box to a 'bollard'. The locknuts had been used too many times as the plastic insert was gone, the nuts were partly off by the time I got to it. But theres more, the previous owner had not bend the locking tab to stop the drop arm bolt from rotating.
I've got four Disco 1 tdi300s auto and each has exhibited some awful fixes done under previous ownership.


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