Thread: Steering freeplay

hi again,

after having put my disco back on the road i noticed the steering on it has a fair bit of freeplay. you feel it mostly going at speeds over 80kmh. whilst i was working on it i changed the sterring damper as the old one was a bit shot.

from my general knowledge and from reading up here this should have no effect on steering freeplay. is this correct? i have not yet checked panhard rod bushes which seems to be the main thing people on here recommend.

i checked the steering column/shaft under the bonnet and the uni seems fine although i noticed there is a bit of play in th steering box. from what ive read this is normal too though up to some extent.

what would you guys recommend as being acceptable? it probably turns about 1/4 ish of a turn when you move it by hand.

im pretty sure it wasnt like this before i did all my previous work. will the screw on the steering box tighten that freeplay in it? seems like its exactly the same amout of freeplay you feel in the wheel. kinda scary at high speeds. if it was unsealed surface it would be almost like ice.

Jack up front end with both wheels clear of the ground, with wheels straight ahead crack the locknut on the free play adjuster on top of steering box.
With allen key wind the adjuster down till it stops and check the play at the steering wheel, while watching wheels for movement.
If it has improved nip the locknut and rotate the steering wheel from lock to lock, it should feel smooth with no roughness or lumps and bumps.
If there is still too much play, back off the locknut and wind the adjuster down a bit more and repeat above.
If when you turn the steering wheel you feel roughness, back off adjuster and check again, steering should feel smooth lock to lock.
If there is no improvement in freeplay you may need to rebuild/replace steering box, once adjusted turn steering with motor running and make sure there is no lumps or bumps, put wheels back on ground and road test, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Fausto79

hi again,

after having put my disco back on the road i noticed the steering on it has a fair bit of freeplay. you feel it mostly going at speeds over 80kmh. whilst i was working on it i changed the sterring damper as the old one was a bit shot.

from my general knowledge and from reading up here this should have no effect on steering freeplay. is this correct? i have not yet checked panhard rod bushes which seems to be the main thing people on here recommend.

i checked the steering column/shaft under the bonnet and the uni seems fine although i noticed there is a bit of play in th steering box. from what ive read this is normal too though up to some extent.

what would you guys recommend as being acceptable? it probably turns about 1/4 ish of a turn when you move it by hand.

im pretty sure it wasnt like this before i did all my previous work. will the screw on the steering box tighten that freeplay in it? seems like its exactly the same amout of freeplay you feel in the wheel. kinda scary at high speeds. if it was unsealed surface it would be almost like ice.