Defender steering issue

**Psimpson7** · 7th April 2010, 01:30 PM

Hey all.

I have an odd steering issue. About 3 or 4 times in the last couple of weeks (since returning from a hard 4wd trip to coffs running the big tyres) I have had what feels like a ‘jump’ in the steering.

This has been very intermittent and difficult to pinpoint when occouring but it seems to be at low speeds, such as in car parks.

However I decided to have a really good look at it.

I removed the drag link and realigned the ball joints to check that wasn’t the issue.
I have also checked the tracking which is fine.

When all the arms were off the steering was 100% perfect.

So I put it back together.I then started moving it very slightly on the drive to see if I could get it to happen again, and I have managed to, and it seems much more repeatable now

Below are 2 videos showing the ‘jump’ one at the wheel and one at the steering box drop arm ball joint.

[ame="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v707/Psimpson7/steering%20issue/?action=view&current=update001.flv"]http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v707/Psimpson7/steering%20issue/?action=view&current=update001.flv[/ame]

[ame="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v707/Psimpson7/steering%20issue/?action=view&current=update005.flv"]http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v707/Psimpson7/steering%20issue/?action=view&current=update005.flv[/ame]

When this was happening, I jacked up each side and the problem got less noticeable, but didn’t go. I then dropped the drag link off the steering box drop arm again and the problem went. It reappeared once I put the drag link back on.

Anyone have any ideas? It looks like the drop arm ball joint ‘jumps’ up about when the noise appears (the noise may be slightly earlier and sounds too severe to be that). This is a genuine LR one and less than 12mnths old.

Could that be it do you think?

Oe extra bit of info is that on the most recent trip I managed to bend the panhard rod quite badly and i am wondering if the ball joint has been damaged too.

Thanks.

**cal415** · 7th April 2010, 02:58 PM

It looks like the ball joint is moving up and down.... i cant imagine that would be helping things! if you remove the drag link and jack up both wheels and them by hand does it bind up at all?

**Psimpson7** · 7th April 2010, 03:13 PM

Hi Cal,

No it doesn't. It behaves fine when moving them by hand with the drag link removed.

Also if you sit in it and watch the wheels very closely out the window you can see them jump back from the direction of turn a fraction when the clunk happens so I think the ball joint could well be the culprit.

Looks like I will be heading back down to LR to get another one.

Rgds
Pete

**JDNSW** · 7th April 2010, 03:23 PM

It looks to me as if the ball joint on the pitman arm is jumping up. That is certainly a problem with that ball joint and almost certainly what you are feeling and hearing.

I would be replacing the joint as soon as possible. There should be no play or movement at all on this joint except simple rotation. It is either badly worn, or possibly the hardened seat or ball is cracked or has a bit chipped out.

John

**Psimpson7** · 7th April 2010, 03:28 PM

Thanks John,

I will get one tommorow.

ETA no stock at either of the local dealers and it will be Friday by the time they get one. and we are supposed to be away camping on Friday. better do a ring around.

ETA2. Found a non genuine one (

) at Ricks 4wd but they say they are the ones they use all the time. 42$ will get it tommorow and see if it helps.

Rgds
Peter

**Psimpson7** · 7th April 2010, 04:48 PM

Ok, I have just stripped the ball joint down.

It all looks fine, apart from the upper seat which is a bit rough. There are no visible cracks I can see so far.

How do people remove the upper seat just out of interest?

I think the last time I changed it, I left that one as it was.

Rgds
Pete

**JDNSW** · 7th April 2010, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

Ok, I have just stripped the ball joint down.

It all looks fine, apart from the upper seat which is a bit rough. There are no visible cracks I can see so far.

How do people remove the upper seat just out of interest?

I think the last time I changed it, I left that one as it was.

Rgds
Pete

I can't rtemember how I changed it! (It is a while - last one came with the new steering box a couple of years ago) I think it has a slight lip so a drift can get it, but that is going to be a bit hard to get in situ.

Was there plenty of grease? If it was dry it could have that effect, as could the rough seat, or just plain wear.

John

lokka · 7th April 2010, 05:23 PM

I would not bother with the reco kit for the drop arm id replace the whole thing as the rebuild kits are a WOFTAM in my opinion and most of them fall apart not long after they are fitted .

Give Garry at CLR a call 0247542642 im sure he dose the whole replacement arm for around $100 and he will express post it he is in western syd

**Psimpson7** · 7th April 2010, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I can't rtemember how I changed it! (It is a while - last one came with the new steering box a couple of years ago) I think it has a slight lip so a drift can get it, but that is going to be a bit hard to get in situ.

Was there plenty of grease? If it was dry it could have that effect, as could the rough seat, or just plain wear.

John

Hi John,

Yes there was plenty of grease. (most of it is now on our driveway)

I have found a walk through on LR4X4 showing them using a socket to get it out in situ, but the lip is tiny.

I will give it a go tommorow.

Rgds
Pete

**Psimpson7** · 7th April 2010, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by lokka

I would not bother with the reco kit for the drop arm id replace the whole thing as the rebuild kits are a WOFTAM in my opinion and most of them fall apart not long after they are fitted .

Give Garry at CLR a call 0247542642 im sure he dose the whole replacement arm for around $100 and he will express post it he is in western syd

Thanks for that. Will keep it in mind. Only issue I have at the moment as I need it back together by tommorow!

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