 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > SP 4x4 Truwsteer Upgraded Steering Box Review |
 
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| Penfold_6290 Member Since: 22 Sep 2021 Location: Dorset Posts: 340   
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Morning folks, this is an FYI post for anyone that is considering fitting the above upgraded steering box from SP 4x4. I bought the kit that includes the drop arm a month or two back and got round to fitting it on Friday. It's a lot lighter and less bulky than the original part and was pretty easy to fit to the chassis. Lots of posts on forums suggest the steel hydraulic hose does not line up correctly...no kidding, it was about an inch and a half out. But some careful and gentle bending puts it in the right place eventually. One issue I came up against was the splined input shaft. There is a groove machined into the shaft to allow the pinch bolts to locate. The groove is not quite as deep as the standard box which meant the pinch bolt did not line up with the threaded part of the clamp so it cross threads. I had to file a flat into the shaft to get the bolt to pass through correctly.
https://www.sp-4x4.com/QAF500110_POWER_STE...defkit.htm Other than that it was pretty straight forward - the question is then is it as good as they say it is? I would say yes - it is a higher ratio so feels more direct, no slop (might be because my old one had deteriorated significantly). The steering is also markedly lighter which is really nice, with a light clutch courtesy of LOF and light steering courtesy of SP 4x4 my Defender is almost unrecognisable as a Defender! It's quite pricey compared to a reman unit but my experience of those has been mixed, they get either loose, leaky or both pretty quickly. So, initial reactions are good, let's hope it lasts!  Click image to enlarge |
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14th Apr 2025 2:00pm |
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| Penfold_6290 Member Since: 22 Sep 2021 Location: Dorset Posts: 340
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Correct, there is no core charge for this part so there's nothing to send back.
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14th Apr 2025 5:01pm |
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| Oldowner Member Since: 26 Dec 2018 Location: South west Posts: 649 
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I fitted one for someone a while back that they supplied. As well as the steel pipe issue and having to open up the groove for the bole in the input shaft, I also had to swap out the bolts highlighted in the photo. The outer lower bolt fouled the chassis coils spring bracket / gusset, I had to replace the bolt with a button head Allen bolt without a spring washer, and even then it was sat against the chassis bracket
Click image to enlarge |
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15th Apr 2025 3:10am |
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| TexasRover Member Since: 24 Nov 2022 Location: Paris Posts: 1234  
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If you dont have ABS consider fitting the double diaphragm brake booster from LOF and your brakes will be light too!
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15th Apr 2025 6:09am |
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| Penfold_6290 Member Since: 22 Sep 2021 Location: Dorset Posts: 340
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That's a bit of a worry, I didn't notice any issues like that with this one but I'm going to have a good look to make sure when I get 5 mins. |
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15th Apr 2025 3:04pm |
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| hank Member Since: 12 Sep 2016 Location: South Wales Posts: 2324  
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These look great! Damn you, another thing on the shopping list... > 110 XS Double Cab
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15th Apr 2025 3:07pm |
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| Oldowner Member Since: 26 Dec 2018 Location: South west Posts: 649
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Personally I wouldn’t bother if yours isn’t leaking, I couldn’t tell any difference from a good genuine box. It was only fitted as the original box had had the preload messed with causing broken up bearings
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15th Apr 2025 9:51pm |
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| hank Member Since: 12 Sep 2016 Location: South Wales Posts: 2324
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My original was leaking and loose so I fitted a "good" used one which is now leaking and loose beyond adjustment so it was on the list anyway. This seems a better solution > 110 XS Double Cab
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16th Apr 2025 8:53am |
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| o4dn Member Since: 08 Jan 2010 Location: South West Posts: 567 
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Interesting.
I wonder why the LHD version is not compatible with the Puma Defender though, does anyone know the reason? https://www.sp-4x4.com/QAF500110_POWER_STE...defkit.htm “A Land Rover immobilized is a moral defeat for the driver and bad publicity for the vehicle, […] it's up to you to do justice to your Land Rover!” - Land Rover Driving Technique. -- 2009 2.4 Puma Defender 90 SW 1979 Land Rover Series 3 88" |
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16th Apr 2025 9:59am |
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| MatLandy Member Since: 11 Sep 2020 Location: Paris Posts: 199 
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^^^^ I have the same question - but no answer
And also noted that the LHD version still has the external pipe visible, whereas the RHD version has it built internally into the casting. /Mat |
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16th Apr 2025 11:13am |
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| Penfold_6290 Member Since: 22 Sep 2021 Location: Dorset Posts: 340
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The LHD looks like a totally different design to the RHD one...look at the pics side-by-side and all castings look entirely different.
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18th Apr 2025 2:40pm |
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| HardCharger Member Since: 03 Mar 2013 Location: Manila Posts: 757  
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I asked them if they had a LHD Puma steering box, no bueno. They said they don't have them. So only the RHD guys are fortunate enough to use them. Sad.
And I needed a new one too so it would've been perfect as they cost much better than a new ADWEST one from LR Parts. No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy |
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22nd Apr 2025 8:12am |
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