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#Post#: 100088--------------------------------------------------
Steering does not self centre.
By: AlmightyBodgeKing Date: December 8, 2015, 12:15 am
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Hi all.
My series IIA is finally on the road and on her test drive last
night all was well apart from the self centre action of the
steering. The steering seemed as direct as you would expect, but
somewhat heavy (even for an old landie) and did not return to
centre without input from me. I did fill the box and relay with
EP90 as part of my tinkering whilst waiting for the DVLA to do
their bit.
Could this be a lack I use thing as she has done around 30 miles
a year for the past few years? Or do any of you knowledgable
folk have any better ideas?
Thanks all,
#Post#: 100089--------------------------------------------------
Re: Steering does not self centre.
By: Doug_T Date: December 8, 2015, 5:39 am
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Does it have free wheeling hubs? If it's hardly had any use over
a long time with such a setup the swivel pins have probably
dried out from lack of lubrication - they may even be a rusty
mess - which will cause poor self centreing.
Or even just the lack of use full stop. I stripped a front axle
a couple of years ago that had seized swivel pins from lack of
use (no FWH fitted to that now I come to think of it).
#Post#: 100090--------------------------------------------------
Re: Steering does not self centre.
By: AlmightyBodgeKing Date: December 8, 2015, 6:47 am
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Thanks Doug.
The answer seems to be over-adjustment of the steering box. I
slackened the adjust half a turn and she is much better. No idea
how long it had been like that, but with such little use I doubt
any damage was done.
#Post#: 100091--------------------------------------------------
Re: Steering does not self centre.
By: D4B Date: December 8, 2015, 10:26 am
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I found on my Series 3 that replacing the oversized tyres and
Weller wheels with standard Landy wheels and tyres
improved the self centre action, what size tyres do you have?
#Post#: 100092--------------------------------------------------
Re: Steering does not self centre.
By: AlmightyBodgeKing Date: December 8, 2015, 11:12 am
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D4B
I have 7.50x16 tyres on standard LWB rims. But I used to run
235-85R16 on my old series 3 with no problems.
#Post#: 100093--------------------------------------------------
Re: Steering does not self centre.
By: D4B Date: December 8, 2015, 1:05 pm
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That rules out my theory then ;-)
I would jack the front up and see what it feels like when you
steer the wheels by grabbing hold of the tyres,
that might throw some light on it.
#Post#: 100094--------------------------------------------------
Re: Steering does not self centre.
By: RMS Date: December 8, 2015, 1:45 pm
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Only way to be sure is to start separating joints - not as hard
as it sounds with a proper ball joint separator :smilewide:
Then you can find out if it's the steering box, relay, a joint
or one of the swivels.
#Post#: 100114--------------------------------------------------
Re: Steering does not self centre.
By: Gozo_Joseph Date: December 10, 2015, 12:01 pm
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i second Doug T.. when i did the swivels on my series 3 the
taper roller bearings where badly worn and rusted. they tend to
wear off on one side taking an ovalised shape. water settles
there as well so might drain oil and check what comes out?
joseph
#Post#: 100115--------------------------------------------------
Re: Steering does not self centre.
By: blackskidmarks Date: December 10, 2015, 1:24 pm
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I had the same problem on my LWB S3. Thought it was a stiff
steering joint and replaced all of them, but only slightly
better. I had cleaned and adjusted the steering box last year,
so tackled each swivel hub in turn. Seemed ok to turn, but
renewed and adjusted everything and the steering is much lighter
and self centres now. (750`s on standard rims). Another result
from replacing steering rod ends and adjusting steering stops
was a better lock. Previously was too much right hand (unable to
use full turn of steering) and not enough left hand. Much,much
better drive now. A lot of work, but not a great cost, and well
worth the effort.
#Post#: 100118--------------------------------------------------
Re: Steering does not self centre.
By: AlmightyBodgeKing Date: December 11, 2015, 2:17 am
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It turned out to just be too much adjustment in the steering
box. I slackened that half a turn and all is well.
This weekends job is find out why she is running rich.
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