Thread: Heavy steering

Danny was pretty sure that the steering box was stuffed, it had excessive play and backlash and he couldn't adjust it up. The car was all over the road. He was trying to research them the 2 weeks before he died(the dying bit wasn't in his plans at all!) but he was getting contradictory answers. There was a second hand 4 bolt box on EBay for $220 which he was interested in, it was off a D2 but the description said it would fit a later model D1 (post 1996) or a Rangie. When Danny contacted him, the seller said it wouldn't fit the County. I'm not so sure, I'm thinking that it's only the Pitman Arm thats the problem and the original county one should bolt upto the 4 bolt box but I might be wrong and I don't want young Trevor (Dannys son in-law) wasteing good money for nothing.
Trevor and Danny had become very close over the last 12 months and Trevor wants to take on the White County both for Danny's sake and the fun of it.

I'm not sure about the D2 box - I recall reading somewhere that they weren't as straight a swap but I dont recall exactly (or even if thats correct).
AFAIK the D1 4-bolt box is the same as the Defender ones apart from the pitman arm, and they have different mounting bolts and hose fittings than the 3 bolt boxes.

I'm going to see a bloke tonight that might have decent D1 box so I'll ask him.

Steve

Hi Steve, firstly, thanks for comming to Danny's funeral last Monday, it meant a lot to his family and I. Coming in the County was a real nice touch, thankyou.

Danny's White Izusu already had 4 bolt box and we were able to do a straight swap for a new one from a defender, the Pitman arm was the same as well. But what a Bastard of a job in yesterdays heat We ended up having to undo the drivers side Engine mount and lift the motor about 3/4" All up it took about 5 hours but now having done it I reckon we could do it in 2. The other thing that complicated it was there was no room to work with the Turbo plumbing all being on the righthand side. With any luck we wont need to do it again for another 10 years or so

I have a Question for you though... the small arm/rod that bolts to the steering box above the Pitman arm... is it meant to have some sort of bush in it where it bolts through the bracket/rod thats bolted to the chasis ?(I hope that makes sence)

Yes, I know the bit you mean. There was no bush in mine, and looked like it had been sitting quite off center.
I've just had a read of the D1 manual, and it says to tighten up the 3 bolts on that part (2 above the pitman arm, and the one that looks like it should have a bush), then loosen all 3 one turn, take it for a short drive with braking and full lock etc then pull up in a straight line and tighten the bolts.

Steve