Thread: Slack and vague steering

A quick way to test the steering is to have someone inside the vehicle move the steering wheel backwards and forward continually (not enough that the wheels move just the free play part).

Whilst they are doing that move through the steering bits until you see movement on the input side but not on the output side. This should give you a good indication of which parts are worn. That's how I check the steering on the County (and the old series vehicles in the past)

On the steering when towing something heavy that might be your front end getting lifted if your suspension isn't working properly, but I'll leave that to someone with a little more experience.

Richard

Raised suspension height, and worn suspension bushes/steering joints gradually impact on steering.

The following will help with vague steering:
• replacing front & rear radius arm & panhard rod bushes if worn, tightening radius arm nuts if loose;
• check and tighten pitman arm if loose;
• check and replace/refurb if pitman arm ball joint or spline is worn;
• replacing tie rod ends if worn;
• returning spring height to standard if none of above help (the obvious compromise is less off road clearance).

My 110 steering is very good now after doing some of the above.

Vague steering will be anything that gives free play in the steering or any free play in the axle locating links (front AND back).

The most likely places are tie rod ends, panhard rod ends, and rear lower link bushes.

The advice above to get someone to wiggle the steering while you look for movement is the best start, but this will not tell you whether the rear suspension links are at fault.

John

Thanks all. Really appreciate it. The old girl was neglected before I baught her last year and slowly as I fix more things more become apparent. What's the best way to go with tie rods and panhard. Is it better to just change the bushes and ball joints or upgrade to new ones same spec or tougher?

Who's a good supplier of parts in Australia or is it better to look over seas?

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

Thanks all. Really appreciate it. The old girl was neglected before I baught her last year and slowly as I fix more things more become apparent. What's the best way to go with tie rods and panhard. Is it better to just change the bushes and ball joints or upgrade to new ones same spec or tougher? Who's a good supplier of parts in Australia or is it better to look over seas?

I've used Land Rover and Britpart components from independent and LR dealers, eBay and OS such as LRSeries & Paddocks, depending on price & how quickly I needed the bits. I've stuck with rubber bushes as I like the soft ride, others like the firmer feel of poly bushes.

Check the two small uni joints in the steering column before the steering box. Mine were both shagged, you could see slack just by grabbing with your hand and wriggling. Now replaced it drives much better. check all bits for slack also, as others have said.
Cheers, Andrew.

Originally Posted by taylorslandy

Check the two small uni joints in the steering column before the steering box. Mine were both shagged, you could see slack just by grabbing with your hand and wriggling. Now replaced it drives much better. check all bits for slack also, as others have said. Cheers, Andrew.

Yes, forgot that. I replaced one of those too.

Ah the joys of owning a Land Rover!
I have manage to fix the steering issues with a simple tightening of the 3 bolt power steering unit. It supprised me how simple it was to fix once I got the bible out and called my uncle mechanic)) now the bigger issue is I got a bush kit from nolathayne that was for a 1985 county isuzu. Well blow me down mines a 1st month 85 and the kit is for a 11th month 85! Nothing fits!! Should of done my home work. Now I'm back trying to source bushes. Does any one know of a good landrover parts people in Perth?