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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5842

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
Play in steering
I have some play in the steering. Anyways, I got a mate to wiggle the steering wheel while I was underneath and with my hand on the ball joint for the drop arm it feels like there is some play, it feels like the ball joint Sad (new part in June). Well its either the ball joint or could it be play in the connecting rod that connects to the ball joint? 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #1050717 4th Nov 2024 1:47pm
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3402

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
could it be play in the connecting rod that connects to the ball joint?

Very unlikely. Ball joints are taper and they sit pretty snug as long as the nut is torqued to the correct specification. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1050721 4th Nov 2024 2:26pm
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5842

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
I didnt think it would be that end but had to ask. Looking more like a drop arm again Sad

How ever, I might just try giving the nut a tweak to make sure. 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #1050723 4th Nov 2024 2:39pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7983

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Fit a disco drop arm and TRE with new drag link. Far simpler design and easier onward maint as only a tre. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #1050736 4th Nov 2024 4:25pm
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5842

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
Something like one of these from a Disco 2?


Click image to enlarge


I have seen the disco drop arms on Glyn Lewis 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #1050746 4th Nov 2024 7:14pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5648

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
Post #1050759 4th Nov 2024 8:31pm
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5842

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
Thanks but sold. 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #1050781 5th Nov 2024 7:57am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3402

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Unless you already have and need sumo bars, a standard Disco drag link is enough (and you need the drop arm). Possibly easier to replace a tre, unless the thread is seized in the drag link, but I find that the standard Defender drop arm ball joint to be just as good. You just need the tool to push out the inner ball joint cup. Dont hammer on the drop arm. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1050784 5th Nov 2024 8:26am
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5842

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
I have no need TBH. I couldn't justify the price TBH.

I have a puller for the defender drop arm so I might just look to replace the arm with another one but not the same make as before (will check paper work) 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #1050785 5th Nov 2024 8:42am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3402

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Did you replace the complete drop are or just the ball joint?

I was curious last night and saw some ball joint rebuild kits which were more expensive than complete drop arms including balljoint. So that could be either one is doing a huge margin on the ball joint rebuild kit, or the quality of the drop arm/ball joint is questionable. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1050789 5th Nov 2024 9:45am
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5842

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
I replaced the whole drop arm with ball joint already installed. 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #1050790 5th Nov 2024 9:48am
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piechipsandpeas



Member Since: 12 May 2021
Location: Albany, Western Australia
Posts: 208

Australia 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
The LR workshop manual states that you shouldn't test the steering ball joints by rocking the steering wheel side to side, but you should try to push / pull on each individual joint. Does anyone know why that would be?
Would you be more likely to detect movement by focusing on individual joints or could the steering wheel option give a false indication?


Click image to enlarge
Post #1050798 5th Nov 2024 12:08pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7983

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Rocking the steering moves the whole system so whilst it identifies you have play I guess they are suggesting it doesn't tell you where the play is which pushing/pulling individual joints does.

Personally I rock the steering. Mot guys jack a wheel and rock that back and fwd against hub.

Ref changing a drop arm or changing a ball joint again after a short period of time I would suggest something is wrong with the quality of parts.a ball joint should last over 100k miles with light off roading.

Personally I find winding out a TRE alot easier than changing a ball joint which on an off roader where joints pick up external damage and are usually pushing hard in rocks/mud with big tyres is a massive benefit. On a road going vehicle I see there is less of a need.

If looking at using discovery drag link just check how your going to mount the damper if your retaining it Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #1050803 5th Nov 2024 1:04pm
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5842

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
Cheers all. I will take a closer look at the steering system/components when I have a spare day/weekend to do so.

Not the first time I have had steering components fail/wear prematurely. The last was the steering shaft to steering box that had play in a bush. Replaced with an old spare I found in the shed with zero play. 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #1050804 5th Nov 2024 1:44pm
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2214

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey
Gwyn Lewis sells a bracket for the steering damper if you change to disco drop arm.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey
Post #1050807 5th Nov 2024 2:42pm
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