[SoftOrchestra]

After a new steering box was installed, it seemed to be driving fine, I drove it up and camped at the Petaluma fairground (CBA Spring Conference last year), and just as I got up there (2 hour drive), it started shaking. I contended with it on the way back home to South Bay a few days later, and was thinking the steering box needed to be adjusted...through frustration I let it sit in front of the house for about 8 months...and smog testing once again warranted getting it started and running again...got a new battery, got it smog'd, but I still have this intermittent shaking...

I was reading on Brabyn's site (btw, this seems on there also, good to be here;-) of several causes, and I 'spose CVs could still be the cause, but they look pretty good, and now I am suspecting the steering damper, which a couple folks have mentioned but I kept thinking it was the steering box adjustment.

I do have old man emu springs and shocks, but didn't replace the damper at the time. Is there a way to test it by taking it off? I haven't done that yet.

The CVs look shiny and everything looks solid, and this is the first time my Rangie hasn't been leaking in the front of the house since I have owned it, I should have replaced that "gold plated steering box" a LOOOOONNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG time ago....Granny was right when he told me that a few years ago...lol

The symptom is that it drives and steers fine, and when I get up to speed on the highway, if I hit some rough area on the road it starts shaking fiercely, and if I move the wheel back and forth, I can get rid of it, or changing lanes on the freeway quickly will cure it. The later doesn't seem safe, but the prior is not really either...:-/

I still have a bunch of things to fix on my Rangie, but want to drive it and have it running good as I need to tow some stuff with it, the steering problem has been a stumper. Now I'm thinking it might be the steering damper. I'm going to take it off tomorrow and see if it's got any shock left in it.

Any comments?

Cheers,
Alan DuBoff (love/hate relationship with his '88 Rangie continues)

 

[classicjack]

check your steering shaft, the fiber rubber coupler wears out and causes the symptoms you describe. shafts are now availabe aftermarket for $125 on ebay or Atlantic British.

 

[SoftOrchestra]

check your steering shaft, the fiber rubber coupler wears out and causes the symptoms you describe. shafts are now availabe aftermarket for $125 on ebay or Atlantic British.

I need to look at that and see, but not sure exactly where this fits on the steering.

This is the piece your referring to, right?

Can the rubber couple be purchased separately?

I see that British Pacific has the same part for $109.25, if that is what I need.

Could be I suppose...I need to check some stuff out...

These panrod bushings look like a possibility also...

As I need to check the steering dampner just to give myself some comfort.

I have learned that weeds do not grow under the Rangie when the ATF is not leaking out of the steering box. lol

Cheers,
Alan

 

[Danny]

It could be any number of things; steering damper, damper setting on the actual steering box, swivel hub bearings, balljoints, dampers, bushes on panhard rod/radius arms. Probably not CV joints, as they don't influence suspension, but likely to be a combination of some of the above.

I realise that's not very helpful, but there's no single answer.

 

[rangerovering]

Swivel bearing preload?

 

[p76rangie]

I would start by checking your ball joints for movement. There are 4. One on the steering arm connected to the bottom of your steering box. Another at the other end of your steering rod and two on your track rod. Next I would check your panhard bushes. Then Check your wheel bearings for movement by grabbing the top of your tyre and attempting to move it in and out. Then I would check your swivel bearings for preload, but more importantly any notchiness. Even if they only have a slight notchy feel, change them.

It can be any one or more of the above causing your issues.

 

[rtkraken]

Ian's got it.

I found that by wiggling the slop in the steering wheel (engine off) while someone looks over the steering tie rod ends and steering column you can pretty easily ID any loose/worn joints.

The panhard bushings can be checked by turning the steering wheel back and forth (engine running, vehicle parked) while hanging your head out the window and watching the front wheel position in relation to the body. The worn bushings will allow the body of the vehicle to float just slightly in relation to the wheels as you turn them. The body will move first before the wheel starts to turn. You'll see it easily if it's a problem.

If your steering damper is old and tired looking, just replace it.

Happy hunting. Cleaning steering components up is relatively easy and gives back a ton in handling improvement of the vehicle. Big satisfaction factor, once you find what needs to be corrected. :thumb:

 

[SoftOrchestra]

I would start by checking your ball joints for movement. There are 4. One on the steering arm connected to the bottom of your steering box. Another at the other end of your steering rod and two on your track rod. Next I would check your panhard bushes. Then Check your wheel bearings for movement by grabbing the top of your tyre and attempting to move it in and out. Then I would check your swivel bearings for preload, but more importantly any notchiness. Even if they only have a slight notchy feel, change them.

It can be any one or more of the above causing your issues.

I will go through this, just haven't had time and have been driving the Rangie...:-/

I will check the ball joints.

I need to look in the manual, not sure where the swivel bearings are, that must work with the CV?

 

[SoftOrchestra]

I found that by wiggling the slop in the steering wheel (engine off) while someone looks over the steering tie rod ends and steering column you can pretty easily ID any loose/worn joints.

Do you do this with the front end jacked up off the ground?

If your steering damper is old and tired looking, just replace it.

It is the original.

Happy hunting. Cleaning steering components up is relatively easy and gives back a ton in handling improvement of the vehicle. Big satisfaction factor, once you find what needs to be corrected. :thumb:

It drives nicely on the freeway when it isn't shaking...and for the first time since replacing the steering box it hasn't leaked...which is pretty scary, I mean, how long can that last? It is a Land Rover after all...lol

 

[rtkraken]

Nope, leave it on the ground.

I look at it as an underbody anti-corrosion feature... :wink:

 

[Alaska-RRC]

I had this problem on my 89,
kept getting the death wobbles, especially while decelerating on rutted roads.
- The steering dampener bracket that bolts to the bottom of the axel was loose,
and one panhard bushing was bad.


this sounds like a good time for an upgrade.. :think:
check out this steering damper relocation kit.
http://www.rovertracks.com/products/steering.html
^that's my next mod, I think..

 

[SoftOrchestra]

As a follow-up, the problem was the panhard rod bushings. All fixed and steering nicely.