LOWER BALL JOINT ISSUES

Reading on a lot of forums it would seem that the steering rack also needs to be added to the list of tie rods and ball joints. However I suspect that the rack needing work is a result of tie rods and ball joints not being done when required and then wearing the rack.

Thoughts?????

My car has now done 48,000km and other than a little harshness being felt through the steering wheel on acceleration all seems Ok on the road.

Offroad there is a little knocking in the steering as the wheels bounce off rocks (like the rack is a little loose) but as there are no symptoms on road, for the moment I will put it down to the natural play in the system but I am watching it.

Garry

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Originally Posted by garrycol

Reading on a lot of forums it would seem that the steering rack also needs to be added to the list of tie rods and ball joints. However I suspect that the rack needing work is a result of tie rods and ball joints not being done when required and then wearing the rack. Thoughts????? Garry

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Your theory has me thinking. It just may have some merit.

I have not yet had to replace the steering rack but tie rod ends were starting to seem like consumables - at every oil change like the oil pan plug. Well, not really, but replacing them is common to the point I am getting used to it. Given that I still have the original steering rack, maybe I should be happy as the more I think about it, your theory is starting to sound right on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garrycol

Offroad there is a little knocking in the steering as the wheels bounce off rocks (like the rack is a little loose) but as there are no symptoms on road, for the moment I will put it down to the natural play in the system but I am watching it.Garry

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My steering rack needed replacing at 17000km's as it was loose like you describe. Has been ok since but my suspension bushes are due to be replaced under warranty (now 50K).

who sayed that you can only fitted bushes to a arm once,;);) never herd that before,

but it is slightly more cost efective for both sides to replace the hole arms,

the tie rod joints sholdent ware out that fast,, there usely prity good,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garrycol

Reading on a lot of forums it would seem that the steering rack also needs to be added to the list of tie rods and ball joints. However I suspect that the rack needing work is a result of tie rods and ball joints not being done when required and then wearing the rack.


Offroad there is a little knocking in the steering as the wheels bounce off rocks (like the rack is a little loose) but as there are no symptoms on road, for the moment I will put it down to the natural play in the system but I am watching it.

Garry

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I've had everything bar the rack replaced on mine at least once and I'm about to replace the front arms to cure the knocking. With regard to your rattling, next time you're off road and the knocking presents itself, try pushing the steering wheel toward the dash. Mine had exactly this problem last year only it came about on rough potholed roads as well, exerting pressure on the wheel cured it, the solution was a new lower steering column shaft. As mine's already had the upper column replaced, only the rack is original.

Possibly slightly off topic, apologies if so...

I have just been told that my left lower control arm bushes are worn which would explain the quite pronounced steering pull to the left.

The D3 has 120k on it, but I bought it at 99k and have no idea if they had been previously replaced. Now I'm getting a bit excited that I may be able to get them covered by Allianz? They just kicked in for a recon tranny so maybe they are still in a generous mood?

The indy LR mechanic said it was the control arms bushes, but didn't say whether the ball joints needed doing as well. Does anyone have a success story about getting LR to change the older arms for the newer? Mine is an '05.

I'm also just getting over the quote from the Dealer for the 120k service. I have been outraged in the past but not quite like that for some time.

Ahh, the old Landie 100,000km syndrome rares it s ugly head:D
Yes, l replaced mine at around 135000kms.
The usual knocking in the front end is the easy way to tell.
Pretty easy fix, and not expensive to repair for once:p

Just wondering what the early signs are?

My 08MY with 110k km is pulling to the left slightly and has a slight audible noise when going around roundabouts. I've had all four wheels aligned and balanced with no significant improvement.

I'm guessing this is a wheel bearing but the dealer says all is well and can't replicate the noise (albeit feint anyway but still noticeable to me).

As far as I know it hasn't had the ball joint replaced and from what I read above, being an 08MY it should be OK with these.

Neil

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Originally Posted by TELF RRC

As far as I know it hasn't had the ball joint replaced and from what I read above, being an 08MY it should be OK with these.

Neil

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been a 08 it wont be,, done heaps of them,,,

the joints only realy show them selfs on bumps,, even pulling into a drive way will make them knock, noise may be wheels berings,,, not uncommen, same as the front diff

My last report had "slight freeplay in front lower ball joints" and "slight freeplay in rack and pinion".
How critical is it to get these items fixed?
I have the knock sound when hitting bumps but other than that handling seems fine.