Thread: Flushed the brakes today, and cut the steering stops

I flushed the brakes today using my mighty Mityvac and the result is a better but not perfect pedal. Geez it is tedious as the modulator must restrict the flow to the calipers and it takes forever to pull clean fluid through. there is also a much larger volume than non ABS brakes, AFAIR almost a litre.

While I had the front axle on stands I thought I would look at why the 18 inch wheel steering stops are ridiculously long. I checked the tyre clearance (255.55) to the front arms and it was at least 45CM!!!. So I cut 5MM off the LH stop and the right wheel still had about 20MM to go to the steering arm.

OK thats done , undo the RH one. Industrial strength Loctite. I must be getting stronger as I managed to shear off the stop, luckily at where the bolt top meets the shaft, and there was enough to left to file flats and heat with my MAP torch and remove the rest. Whew!

So I measured up and made a new bolt and made a spacer so that it was the same length as the LH. No go as the steering box stopped before the stop stopped, so I then had to make up more shims to ensure the stop stopped before the steering box.
This must be why LR dealers had to check steering boxes before fitting shorter stops.( to see if they are set in the middle at straight ahead)

Some observations
There seems to be no reason that 18 inch wheels have longer stops if 16 inch Disco wheels are the same as the "Lightning" 38A mags I bought as the width is the same at 8 inches and the backspacing is the same, and the tyre (255x60) the same width.

If anyone is a bit DIY , they can make the steering lock much better by just cutting 5MM from their bumpstops , assuming 29MM long ones as fitted to 18 inch wheels as there is plenty of room before you hit the leading arms. Of course you check the clearance at each stage. You may have to do what I did and have a bit less left lock than right lock if the steering box maxxes out before the stop . You have to carefull check this aspect as it is probably not good for the steering box to provide the limit of turning.

I do not know why they did this unless to allow fitting of chains.

Regards Philip A