My disco handles like a dead pig on ice

[beast5680]

just recently i,ve noticed that the handling on my 98 300tdi has become to say the least erratic :(  when your driving down bumpy lanes etc or on roads with a reasonable camber its all over the place, tracking has been checked and apparently is ok.
Question is where to start looking for the fault, i have jacked it up levered all the bushes to see if there is play and swapped the wheels around to see if there is a difference but its still the same , is it worth changing the suspension bushes ? like for like or polybushes??

suggestions are most welcome cos its starting to do my head in now  ](*,)

[fesuvious]

Polybushes I have found can leave you with a few knocks and bangs and are stiff stiff stiff.

Sounds like the bushes could be your problem though.

Id start with all steering bushes and replace the rear radius arm bushes, which, while I mention it -  Have you checked all securing bolts (theres three) for the radius arm mounts onto the chassis ?

[Dirty Gertie]

Polybushes I have found can leave you with a few knocks and bangs and are stiff stiff stiff.

-Depends which kind you choose; Polybush do 3 different stiffnesses: blue, orange and red, can't remememememememember exactically, but I think the red are softest and blue hardest; I've got orange on my 90 and she handles beautifully, both on and off road
HTH

[Eeyore]

Have you checked the drop-arm ball joint?

cheers
 8)
Eeyore

[beast5680]

yes have checked all securing bolts but not the ball joints yet will have a look tomorrow if shes not out in it
having ridden in it today it feels like the shocks arnt doing their stuff as it dont half bounce around and constantly bounces around

[muddyweb]

If the dampers aren't working properly, then that would certainly make it feel a bit odd.  

A simple check on the front end before you start changing anything is, with the vehicle parked on level ground, get someone to rock the steering back and forth whilst you crawl around at the front.

Movement normally shows up quite clearly if anything is worn, and you can at least eliminate things like bushes, rod ends, swivel bearings, etc.

[beast5680]

cheers i,ll try that and see what i find, its bl@@dy annoying as it spoils what has been a superb ride

[BRO]

Have you checked 'the nut nut that holds on the steering wheel'    :D
They say it's the part of the car that is responsible for 95% of accidents :lol:

Cheers

Mick :mrgreen:

[Range Rover Blues]

I found that the radius arm bushes tend to show their age under braking rather more than general driving.  The first place to start is the Panhard rod bushes, fit Deflex because they are cheap and can be bought one at a time, unlike certain brands where you have to buy the whole car set.  At £4 a pair they are a service item!
Then look at your dampers, including steering damper (assuming all 4 balljoints are ok, you said you checked them?)
Swivel preload and harmonic dampers?
PAS system ok?  including drivebelt?
Wheelbearings?  (long shot I know).
Is your car lifted?

[Mace]

Beast, usually the rear radius arm bush to chassis (the one with 3 bolts) looks ok and you can't wiggle it about with a big stick but a big stick isn't 2.5 tons on LR. Take it off road or sling it about on tarmac and those bushes give, causing whats termed "arse end steering". Just like driving on ice. Basically the rear axle moves slightly throwing everything into confusion. The rubber bushes are only £4 each so worth replacing anyway.

Cheers

[beast5680]

cheers i,ll try that when i eventually get underneath it, looks like it will be between xmas and new year now as i,ve been really busy at work and when i finish its been raining so havent actually got under it yet wheres the best place to get bushes individually then cos most places seem to sell the whole set?

[TUFFTEE]

I had a recent problem with hitting bumps on the road at sppeed and i got a really bad steering shudder! i checked out everything and decided to buy a new steering damper! when i got the old one off i found it had a dead spot in the central position! Now the problem is cured with the new one! I hope this helps?
        Merry Xmas Nev....

[Range Rover Blues]

cheers i,ll try that when i eventually get underneath it, looks like it will be between xmas and new year now as i,ve been really busy at work and when i finish its been raining so havent actually got under it yet wheres the best place to get bushes individually then cos most places seem to sell the whole set?

Deflex won't sell direct 'cos of the deal they have with the likes of Rimmers and Paddocks.  Paddocks obviously cheaper but I always find , without fail, that when Rimmer's say it's in the post, it's in the post.
Treat yourself to a new set of bolts at the same time, you can then cut the rusty old ones off if they won't come out.

Look in the comics for the phone no.

[beast5680]

well after much driving to and from the relatives etc this festive season and swerving,braking etc on straight roads i seem to think the problem is rear steering so have ordered the rear bushes as they are quite cheap and will see if they make a difference.

i,ll keep you posted on progress

[Range Rover Blues]

If it shown up under braking chances are you're right, but even so I doubt you'll regret it anyway.