Thread: Steering issues.

Are you comparing the steering to other Series Landrovers? Many people have little experience except with modern vehicles with power steering!

First thing to check is tyre pressures and sizes. This vehicle was designed for no bigger than 7.00x16 and originally 6.00x16, although the Series 2 with the same steering went to 7.50x16.

Assuming the steering really is bad, though, these are the likely problems/fixes.

Check whether the steering is stiff - jack up both front wheels and check if the steering turns easily - with the wheels off the ground the steering should turn easily from the steering wheel, and it should be just possible to turn the steering by pulling on road wheel. If you cannot do this, disconnect the drag link from the relay unit to check whether the problem is the swivels or the relay/steering box, and if it is the latter, disconnect the box to check which it is. Steering box should be virtually free of friction (it has got oil in it?). The relay unit should be full of oil. It is not adjustable, but damping should be correct provided the bushes were oiled when you assembled it, even if it does not have oil in it. To fill, remove two top screws and pump oil in one hole until it comes out the other.

If the swivels seem stiff disconnect the track rod and recheck the preload on them. You can get a good idea without undoing the seals - should be around 14lbs with the seals in place.

A less likely but possible problem is incorrect geometry due to sagged front springs or the wrong shackles, or even steering arms on the relay or steering box at the wrong angles.

Hope this helps,

John

hi John,

yeah im comparing it to my S2a the steering doesnt stick on that when i drive but on my Series 1 it sticks. & i didnt fill the relay with any oil at all, i just squeezed a bit of grease in there with the greasegun.

I know the preload on my swivels is around 13lbs as i checked them with my weight pull measuring tool thing. but i will check it again.

my steering box is full of that honey type vintage steering box lube from Penrite.

ill run through these checks and most likely should find the problem soon.
I also forgot to mention in my first post. does my steering problem have anything to to with the toe in - toe out....?

thanks,

Chris

Does the Series I have the same adjustment on the steering box as a Series III?

If so, when the worm drive wears a bit, it is possible to adjust it up so that it feels good when centered, but is too tight on the part that gets less wear. In that case, it does what I think you are describing.

If Chris's car has the original steering box it is the worm and nut type, which unfortunately has no means of adjusting for wear.

Try filling the relay with EP90 Chris; if you disconnect the steering rods at the relay you should be able to quickly see if that is the problem by pushing and pulling on the arms,

Cheers Charlie

Toe-in/out will not make the steering heavy or stiff unless it is grossly in error. Specification is 1.2-2.4mm toe in, But I have seen it suggested that it is better with none or slight toe-out for radial tyres.

Since it was a new steering box I assumed that the adjustment on it was correct, but if the adjustment on the pitman shaft is too tight, this will make the steering tight. It should be filled with EP-90, not semi-liquid grease, but this would make little difference. The relay not being oil filled may be the problem - grease will not lubricate the bushes properly. I assume you oiled the bushes before assembly? Same for the swivels.

There is a slight possibility of one or more tie rod end being partly seized, you can check this by rotating each rod on its axis - should be easy to do by hand. Also, while doing this, check that all the rods (box-relay, relay-swivel and tie rod) have the joints at each end in the same plane, as otherwise they may bind.

John

hi Charlie & John,

I will top the relay unit up with EP90. to awnser you Question John.. Nope, i didn't oil the bushes upon assembly...............
Now I remember a year ago when i rebuilt the relay unit, i didnt put any oil on the bushes, i installed them dry.
ill also check all the tie rods for seizure and binding too.

Thanks again for your help fellas...!

Chris

G'day,

I had some time this evening to have a look at my steering issue.
i had the front end jacked up and tried to move the road wheels left and right
and no budge. so i disconnected the steerin rod at the bottom of the relay & it moves quite easily. So this means the Swivels are ok but still need to check the preload.

i undone the 2 nuts on the relay unit from top side, and began pumping EP90 oil into it. took about 250mls of oil before it started to drip out of one of the holes.
so now i move the steering wheel but is slightly better but still has that sticking feeling.

would the oil soak the bushes over a couple of days?

well at least i know its the Relay because i know i assembled it dry.
it cant be the steering column piece i bought it NOS from series 2a ex-army unit.

Chris

Sounds like you have found the problem. The oil will eventually soak in, but I don't know how long it will take - a couple of days may not be near long enough. Some movement will help - the main access to the rubbing surface will be via the split in the bush, and swinging the steering back and forth will spread this over the conical steel surface. It will then soak into the immediate surface of the bush, and will need to be repeated a number of times.

I would leave the drag link off, and swing the steering lock to lock every couple of hours for the two days.

Hope this helps, but I've never been in exactly this situation!

John