Advice for Newbie

[Soldmybikeforthis]

Hi there. I recently bought my first Land Rover, although I've been after one for a long time. I finally got a 1985 110 hard top with 2" lift. It requires some work, obviously, and I am after some advice.

The drop arm on the bottom of the power steering box keeps coming loose, a good tighten sees the steering work quite well, but after a while it seems to work loose and introduces a lot of play. I thought it may be worn splines on the shaft out of the bottom of the box or on the drop arm, but am not very mechanical so can't be sure. I have seen drop arm kits advertised, but can someone tell me what actually comes in the kit. I suspect a new box may be a better bet but who wants to spend more than they need to?

I am also looking at replacing the rear crossmember. I've seen pictures of the ones with extensions and that is deffinately what I would go for, but they look different to mine. The pictures I have seen don't seem to have the bridge type body mounts running along each leg, I've looked at a similar age 110 which was the same as mine. Also the crossmember joining the chassis legs behind the tank appears to be smaller than mine. I suspect the pictures I have seen may not be age specific or something, but some reassurance from someone who knows would be nice.

Thanks

[Xtremeteam]

I am also looking at replacing the rear crossmember. I've seen pictures of the ones with extensions and that is deffinately what I would go for, but they look different to mine. The pictures I have seen don't seem to have the bridge type body mounts running along each leg, I've looked at a similar age 110 which was the same as mine. Also the crossmember joining the chassis legs behind the tank appears to be smaller than mine. I suspect the pictures I have seen may not be age specific or something, but some reassurance from someone who knows would be nice.

when u fit a 110 rear xmember with extensions,when u cut off the old xmember u leave they bits attached & weld them back on to the new xmember,in regards to the droparm kit u get the internalls of the joint,2 cups,pivot,spring & circlip etcwith the correct tool its a dodle to do but if not its a pain as u need to remove the top cup for it 2be worthwhile,from what ur describing id say A ur not tightening it up enough(3/4 socket set & scaffie pole extension)then bend the lock tabs up& down 2 stop it coming slack

[Flowerman]

Just had my rear crossmember replaced by my local garage. After being sent the wrong one (for a 90) from one stockist, they eventually found one with extensions that go right up to the spring mounts and with all the correct body supports. I'll try to find out where it came from.

[Budgie]

As V8_redline says: The drop arm kit will only replace the balljoint on the drop arm. If the arm is coming loose from the bottom of the steering box then you need to horse it up and there should be a large washer above the nut that is folded up on one side to lock it on the steering box and down on onto one of  the flats of the nut to stop the nut from coming loose.  

[V8MoneyPit]

What size socket is the steering arm nut? I have the same problem with it coming loose all the time. I'll go out and buy the correct one in 3/4" drive.

LMC Hadrian do a rear cross member with chassis legs attached. Try www.carpanels.co.uk to find a stockist. The part number is 71 13 331 for the 110 version.

HTH

[Soldmybikeforthis]

Thanks for the response. The Drop arm tightening was done by a garage, twice, and I know the washer bends down on the nut, but I'll have to check they have it going up onto the box as well.

The chassis legs going to right up to the springs sounds good to me, as the chassis is a bit rotten quite far along.

[kevinf]

i recently had a problem keeping drop arm ball kits in my steering arm
 found the replacement arm about £40.00 from paddocks.so not worth
missing about with repair kits if in any doubt,also could rectify your recurent loose drop arm problem




good luck kevin

[Xtremeteam]

in response to replacing the arm completly it gets expensive after the firsat 1 as the repair kits are £12 + vat,the size o the socket is 1" 5/16 but dont quote me on that as was doin a pas box 2 day

[V8MoneyPit]

...... the size o the socket is 1" 5/16 but dont quote me on that as was doin a pas box 2 day

If that's the case it'll be useful, I sell those at work for Mini front hub nuts! But in 1/2" drive. I'll try one.