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X4SKP

Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2295

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey

Puma Steering Issue

Hello D2N I'd appreciate your thoughts on a steering issue 'that has developed' for me

Vehicle
2010 2.4 tdci / 48K mileage

Non Standard 'set up'
20 Inch Landrover LRX Wheels / 275/60R20 Cooper Zeon Tyres
30mm Offset Spacers, Top and Bottom Spring Isolation Rubber Dampers (each 10mm thick) all four corners

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

The Issue...
I've now covered 42K in this Defender, it came with the 20 inch wheels, which I initially intended to swap out
but the vehicle drove well and I guess I just got use to it, I have subsequently added top and bottom spring
isolation dampers (OEM LR) so technically this will have raised the vehicle <20mm (now compressed when fitted)
After fitting these there was NO perceived difference in handling... but a marginally quieter cabin noise.

I have what can best be described as a progressively (increasingly) 'nervous' vehicle.
up to 50 mph all OK, 50-60 mph bit of steering 'lightening / wobbling', 60+ then better.

At any speed it now feels that it is 'hunting around' a bit, and I'm correcting something... but what is the cause

or possible causes

(it's a Land rover)

All wheels have been off and balanced checked....all OK

Maybe I have found the problem...
I recently serviced the vehicle and when checking the front axle oil... it was 'over filled' how could this be
as you fill to the filler plug and then seal up. On reading up I see the seal / gasket thing between the swivel
pin housing and the axle often breaks down and the one shot grease designed to stay in the swivel housing
doesn't.... I first drained off what I thought was a problem, drove the vehicle (worse) replaced (added) two
more one shot grease sachets, one each side, and she was much better but not 100%

So what's next...
1. Do I strip down and replace seals
2. Do I just add more one shot grease
3. Do I look to making my particular set up better (maybe after the above)
by adding in a more powerful 'Return to Centre Steering Damper / Stabiliser (Terrafirma / Old Man Emu)
4. Possibly would a set of Caster Correction Bushes (ideally not Arms but maybe) be a consideration on a Defender
with 20 inch off set wheels with about a <20mm additional lift from standard.
5. How do I check that steering 'box' is as it should be with 'wear' within tolerance

With thanks... SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html

15th Apr 2020 9:22am

pj2106

Member Since: 20 Dec 2012
Location: Huntingdon AKA The Shire
Posts: 1500

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

Big wheels can often cause the steering g bars to vibrate at higher speed this causing wobble/vibration id have a chat with the guys at Gwyn lewis and get a set of sumo bars and also worth doing the disco drop arm conversion

I’ve done this on mine running 18’s and it’s made a world of difference 2008 110 2.4 XS Utility (Hagrid)
2002 90 TD5 Hardtop (Sully) Sold
1998 300TDi D1 (Billy) Sold

15th Apr 2020 9:33am

DSC-off

Member Since: 16 Oct 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 1398

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green

Hi, it sounds like something has worn over time to give a speed sensitive wobble.
My first thoughts would be to check suspension bushes in the radius arms and panhard rod, and condition of ball joints on the steering bars. After that, are the wheels still balanced properly? As the tyres wear over time they can become unbalanced.

Fitting a heavy duty steering damper will not fix the problem, it will only hide it for a short time (if at all) as things continue to deteriorate.

Castor correction bushes should not be needed on a defender that has a theoretical 20mm lift. It probably has less than that due to the springs and spacers "settling" down a bit with age.

If you have opportunity to borrow a good set of balanced 16" standard wheels/tyres, it may be a good idea to try them without your spacers and see if the problem is fixed or reduced.

*I just noticed the bottom picture of the spring seats, so it will have more than 20mm lift.

15th Apr 2020 1:54pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5665

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver

If you can, which I can understand will be difficult at the moment, try a standard ish set of wheels and road test it.

15th Apr 2020 2:20pm

shropshiredefender

Member Since: 05 Jun 2017
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 834

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

I would check the "usual suspects" first, especially the suspension and steering bushes, and all steering ball joints.

Sumo bars work well on my USW making it feel much more planted but there is something amiss with your set up that has occurred over time, indicating component wear. Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right.

Last edited by shropshiredefender on 15th Apr 2020 2:45pm. Edited 1 time in total

15th Apr 2020 2:20pm

rallysteve

Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 2225

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green

Have you got any play in the swivel bearings?

Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread

15th Apr 2020 2:24pm

Balvaig

Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 729

2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey

Could also be wear on the tyres themselves. They will balance; but wear, particularly if uneven, can cause wobble.

15th Apr 2020 2:51pm

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