Thread: Bent steering arm

Any bent steering arm should be replaced with a new one, as they are weakened by bending.
You may find one day that you want to turn left and the steering wheel turns but you don't, if you have the slightest residual bend.
Having said that, it doesn't affect the alignment, if my memory of a Defender is correct and the damper is on the rod from the steering box to the LHS wheel.
regards Philip A

no great rush if its only a slight bend, your steering wheel might not be in the centre anymore but thats no drama, at least your wheel alignment is still good

i like to remove and use a press, there might be a place to to jam a jack in there so you can jack it straight

you have probably just had a safety inspection so the tie rod ends should be good

Originally Posted by PhilipA

Any bent steering arm should be replaced with a new one, as they are weakened by bending.
You may find one day that you want to turn left and the steering wheel turns but you don't, if you have the slightest residual bend.

good point....just steal the one off treads's disco

Originally Posted by weeds

good point....just steal the one off treads's disco

I was hoping they were different!

Replace it - yes you may be able to straighten it but it will be weakened.

We bent one on the county, we just stratened it and away we went until a couple of months back we were coming down a very steep hill and went to turn out of a rut, it bent and we took off up the bank and came very close to rolling over

So we bought a army spec one with the tierod ends included for a very good price and i tell you what we aint bending this one i think

CHEERS TIM.

Originally Posted by long stroke

We bent one on the county, we just stratened it and away we went until a couple of months back we were coming down a very steep hill and went to turn out of a rut, it bent and we took off up the bank and came very close to rolling over

So we bought a army spec one with the tierod ends included for a very good price and i tell you what we aint bending this one i think

CHEERS TIM.

you would be talking about the rear steering rod i guess

No! don`t attempt to straighten,replacement is the only safe option.

Trev.