Thread: Steering problem

Perhaps a simple thing but is it in 4wd? Is the transfer case not disengaging properly?

If you have free wheeling hubs try running with them out and see if it makes a difference.

The other thing that has an effect on freeplay etc is the Railko bushes and bearings in the swivel hubs. Jack the car up and see if you have any in and out movement at the wheel. Check the wheel bearings as well while you are at it.

TimJ.

I'm with Tim on this one, you are in 4WD.

Hold the yellow knob up and pull the red knob transfer lever back to low ratio and then back into high ratio. You should feel the yellow knob come up when the pin engages in the box.

It may be a case of the spring on the yellow button needing replacement!

Diana

Sounds like axle wind up. My SWB S3 in the UK was a shocker for this, most notably on the tarmac where the differing rotational speeds can't resolve because of the friction.

Cycle the HiLo lever as LotZ A Landies suggests. Often the 4wd return spring doesn't do its job.

The Landy was designed as a cheap farm tractor to stimulate food production after WW2. So 4WD was only expected to be used in the fields and in mud. It was only after the series 3 that the centre diff was introduced with full time 4WD.

aew849

Agree with all the others - you are in four wheel drive. Confirm this by jacking up one front wheel - it should turn freely, but I'll lay a bet it won't.

The selector shaft for four wheel drive may be sticking, or the yellow knob is not coming up properly because it is sticking or the spring is weak or not adjusted correctly, or the linkage from it is seized or missing or the pivot has fallen out.

If the selector shaft is sticking (remove the floor and the dust cover on the front of the transfer case extension to see what is happening), it may just need a bit of penetrating oil and exercise. It is possible, but unlikely, that there is an internal problem such as the pivot pin for the toggle having fallen out or a broken spring. The front housing can be removed in situ, but you need a manual to do this (a manual is a good idea anyway if you own a Series Landrover).

John

Thanks for all your replies - I'll check out the 4WD over the weekend - although I'm pretty sure it's not stuck in 4WD mode since I make sure to engage it once every few weeks just to churn the oil around a bit. The only part associated with the 4WD that I'm not sure is working correctly is the 'yellow' knob, it doesn't stay down and I haven't had time to investigate why.

I installed new bearings and railko bushes during the re-build, so obviously they could be incorrectly set! I'll check them out. Thanks again for all your suggestions, Ill get my hands dirty tomorrow and report back.

Tezza

Tezza
if its not stuck in 4wd have a look at your pittman arm if loose it can cause freeplay and check the steering stops they may have been "ajusted" and allowing the wheels to rub on full lock.
At corowa this year I found my pittman arem was loose "thanks diana" someone elses fell off and my steering stops were ajusted by a PO to give a better steering radius and still rubs on full lock low speed its on my list of things to fix

As for the free play in the steering wheel, have you checked that the studs in the steering arms are fitted with the correct studs? Mine has play for this reason and needs to be done.

Rereading your post, another possibility is that the problem is the tyres are hitting the springs. If this is the case, just adjust the steering stops so they don't.

15cm of free play on the steering wheel rim is about five times what it should be, and dangerous. Get someone to rock the wheel while you follow the steering links to find where it is.

Things to look for, starting from the steering wheel.

1. Steering wheel loose on shaft
2. Steering box or the bracket it is on loose
3. Pitman arm loose on steering box pitman shaft.
4. Steering box excessive play - to some extent this is adjustable for end float on the pitman shaft, or there could be end play on the steering column.
5. Worn or loose ball joints on drag link to relay.
6. Top or bottom arm loose on relay
7. Relay unit loose in chassis
8. Worn or loose ball joints on drag link
9. Steering arms loose on swivel housing - one of the bolts is a special fitted bolt and must be in the right hole.
10. Loose swivels
11. Worn or loose shackle pins or bushes
12. Loose U-bolts
13. Worn or loose ball joints on track rod
14. Loose wheel bearings

The ones marked in bold are the most likely in my experience. The free play may not be all at one point, but a combination of several small problems. In the end, the free play on the rim of the steering wheel should be less than about 3cm, and there should be no free play anywhere except in the steering box.

Hope this helps,

John