Thread: Series 3 steering box flex

There's not usually a huge amount of movement there, even with flexing. If it's too much for comfort, though, you could do worse than checking the security of all the bolts in this area. While doing so, thoroughly check for any hidden rust, especially if (as your signature pic suggests) you do any beach driving.

Dan.
69 2A 88" pet4, 74 3 109" pet4, 68 2B FC pet6.

Originally Posted by dandlandyman

There's not usually a huge amount of movement there, even with flexing. If it's too much for comfort, though, you could do worse than checking the security of all the bolts in this area. While doing so, thoroughly check for any hidden rust, especially if (as your signature pic suggests) you do any beach driving.

Dan.
69 2A 88" pet4, 74 3 109" pet4, 68 2B FC pet6.

Have checked the bolts, they were still pretty tight. I have had the floor up in it, and there is no rust around the steering box, just a small amount around the bottom edge where the floor pannel bolts to. seems just to be the flexing of the steel. I plan to clean up and repaint the footwell area, so i might look at putting a backing plate on the inside.

Paul

As Dan says. Significant flex of the steering box is not usual, and indicates either loose fastenings or the bulkhead is cracked or more likely weakened by rust, or possibly the chassis is cracked or weakened by rust.

John

hi paul
Do you run wide tyres??
I had a series 111 that had the same problem.
I bought it off a guy that collected bull kelp with it off the beach. It had no rust coz he sprayed it with sump oil all the time underneath.
I traced the flex in the steering to cracks in the firewall just above the driverside footwell.
Yes I rebuilt the steering box and checked all the nuts and bolts securing it to the chasis.
I reckon it was caused by running the wider tyres for all the beach work it had to do-my theory only.
My solution(after a new set of tie rod ends)was to weld metal plates accross the top of the firewall and behind the steering box, brake and clutch pedal assemblies.
Pain in the **** but it worked a treat. Got rid of all my excess play and flex.
Apparently not roadworthy though (welding of chassis) so be aware .
wes

I agree with the others,you have cracks in the bulkhead,not always that easy to see.Try a bright light up under the pedals at nite with an assistant working the steering wheel,you should be able to pick it up easier in the engine bay.
I have fixed 2 by making stiffening plates from 5mm plate.I just bolted them in on the inside on that flat section where the accelerator pedal bolts/steering box bolts,did the job nicely.I made the plate the full size of the flat area.
Goodluck
Andrew

I agree with the others. I run 33" tyres (285s) and give my landie a hard time offroad. If I ever notice any flex, it is always a bolt or 3 that has come loose (seems to happen no matter how much loctite).

With me though it is usually the bolts where the steering box mounts to the bracket.