DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - is something wrong or is it me???

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Maintenance & Modifications > is something wrong or is it me???

Page 1 of 1

Print this entire topic ·

dans_defender

Member Since: 06 Sep 2023
Location: Windsor
Posts: 7

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Baltic Blue

is something wrong or is it me???

Afternoon all,

Need a bit of guidance as beginning to doubt my own sanity!!

I have a 2011 90 2.4TDCi hard top. Owned for 3 years has about 86k on it. Serviced religiously etc. Never been properly off road.

The last 5-6 months it's driving differently. Feels loose, unstable and generally a bit wobbly. Serviced and MOT back in December and passed with no issues.

Where do I start with fault finding???

Plan is to upgrade shocks, springs, bushes etc at a later date when funds permit.

One thing that has rung alarm bells is that it's still on original tyres, albeit plenty of tread on them.

any help would be really appreciated.

thanks
Dan

10th Jan 2025 3:02pm

andy63

Member Since: 30 Jun 2023
Location: north east
Posts: 574

I'd start by getting it jacked up ad go round the wheels and various suspension parts with a pry bar to see if it has any play on the various joints .. does it have anti roll bars ?
Check the prop shafts and diff slack ans see if you think its excessive..
Does the engine running smoothly ?
I know you said it passed its mot but that's where I'd start.👍

10th Jan 2025 3:30pm

Ianh

Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 2081

Have a look at your front axle, in particular the nearside welds, are there any cracks, is there any loss of oil, does your axle full within the recall range.
See https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic33029...;start=510

10th Jan 2025 3:41pm

ickle

Member Since: 22 Jul 2010
Location: South Vendee
Posts: 1795

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Alpine White

Check axle first as above - my best guess would be panhard rod bushes but if you treated it to a full set of bushes & a decent set of shocks etc it would feel better than new again!

HTH Keith

10th Jan 2025 7:19pm

markb110

Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2650

Mine turned out to be the swivel pins.

It’s worth speaking to your local independent otherwise you could end up chasing your tail and spending money ‘on the off chance’.

At the same time I also got them to fit the Gwyn Lewis steering kit.

Good luck

10th Jan 2025 7:28pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20525

Have you noticed it more since it’s been really cold? If so, with the cold especially under about 5.C all the rubber bushes get a bit more harder, so can feel a bit more different.

All you can really do is look for play in the bushes, I find rear damper ones are quite a common nuisance, steering component ball joints, steering damper etc is worth looking at. No Guts, No Glory.
🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🇺🇸⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰💪

10th Jan 2025 8:05pm

Ianh

Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 2081

Check the A frame ball joint, that can cause quite a wobble. It sits on top of the rear axle.

10th Jan 2025 8:46pm

Page 1 of 1

All times are GMT

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum