Its trying to kill me again... steering

[Ja1983]

last week i noticed there was some resistance in the turn, withn the first quarter turn each way. I checked for the obvious signs like bent rods etc, and all i found was the nut under the pitman arm was slack (again). i nipped it up but the problem was still there. it only seemed to do this at certain times, accelerating forward (carpark manouveres) etc. this got worse, and the steering is now generally heavy, but not all the time. i suspected the fluid may be low, as there is a leek under the steering box, but fluid levels were fine.

Is it likely to be a collapsed swivel bearing? if so is the a one man-one hour job?

thoughts apprechiated.

[ben_haynes]

my 200 did this, it was the steering pump, so i would check this, it was Lumpy / Notchy and would ease a bit with a bit of revs while not moving,

it could be the Swivels need shimming, i cant say its not Collapsed Bearings as i have never encountered this before,

hope this helps (but probably not :lol:)

[Range Rover Blues]

I had an odd one, stiff like you say in the centre position when I first drove the car then getting better, the first time I tried to turn a corner it wouldn't go round but the more I drove it the better it got.  I wondered about slipping belts that cleared up once the grease had burned off, low fluid level that rose once the fluid was warm, turned out to be a steering shaft UJ that was stiff untill the exhaust manifold heated it up, the resulting expansion loosened the joint :roll:

[Boddle]

 I had similar problem on my Defender a friend suggested the UJ in Lower steering(from bulkhead to steering box) needed lubricating, it has seemed to solve the problem for me.

[90Mike]

last week i noticed there was some resistance in the turn, withn the first quarter turn each way

i had a similar problem with mine last week did a few basic checks and found N/S/F tyre had about 10psi in it  :oops: iam guessing that it is possibly down to a weak PAS pump that does not like to much resistance at low speed

(carpark manouveres) etc. this got worse

same for me but once the car was moving it was ok, just  :-k it might be worth a look you never know  ;)

[Tommo]

im assuming by UJ people are refering to a ball joint  :?

[Range Rover Blues]

No there are 2 UJ on the steering shaft from the bottom of the column to the steering box.  They work through quite a serious angle too :shock:

[wizard]

Sounds like a steering shaft UJ. Give then a good squirt of Plus Gas or some other penatrating oil (not wd40).
If you dont have plus gas use a drop of brake fluid on each one.
If it is a UJ you will have to replace the steering shaft because you cant get just the U/J's on there own.

wizard :twisted:

[Dave B]

Check the steering column bearings, especialy the lower one.  (disconnect the first UJ, so only the column turns)   They are only partly sealed, and don't take kindly to getting wet.    While getting the UJ off, you may find one or other of them as others have said are very stiff on one or other axis.   At least you can buy those things, hope it's not the bearing, or like me, you'll be stuffed!....   (See post in Defender section)

Ta Ta.

D