 | Home > Puma (Tdci) > Replacing Steering Box on Puma |
 
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16876   
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The airbox has pegs which fit in rubber grommets and can be levered out. It is a pain due to access restrictions (major pain if you have a/c) but can be done. Some washing up liquid or Vaseline on the grommets helps a lot when refitting, as does shortening the pegs slightly.
Re the shimmy, I suggest you check the swivel preload as slack swivels will cause these symptoms. It is more likely that the shimmy has damaged the steering box than the box is causing the shimmy, although the lattr is not impossible. Changing the box isn't difficult but access is a real pain. The drop-arm can also be difficult to remove unless you have (access to) the correct Sykes Pickavant puller. In tne old days it was advisable to buy the box directly from Adwest in Reading, but since they were taken over this is, I think, no longer possible. Look for a new OEM box from a reputable supplier, since there are some terrible reconditioned boxes out there. I have had really bad experiences with two boxes supplied by a main dealer, which had been reconditioned shockingly badly yet were Genuine Parts. |
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16th Sep 2017 6:01pm |
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| Leviathan Member Since: 24 Oct 2015 Location: Staffs Posts: 247
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Thanks for your reply Blackwolf.
I will check the swivel preload when I have chance. The box has been leaking for sometime as it was mentioned by the MOT tester in April. Its not leaking much as Ive never topped it up and its still on the stick. I'm assuming it is the box but what is the correct way to test for wear? Where did you get your box from? You can PM me if you would rather? |
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16th Sep 2017 6:21pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 7685 
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the box leaking will need sorting out and in my experience a replacement box is the way forward for this, any seal kit never lasts that long on them as the shafts have normally worn too.
i would be very surprised if the steering box is causing the wobble though. swivel preload as mentioned, dampers, TRE all worth replacing along with drop arm joint first. have you tired a different set of rims on the front? Cheers James 110 XS Utility 130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making) 90 Puma Hardtop |
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16th Sep 2017 8:16pm |
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| Leviathan Member Since: 24 Oct 2015 Location: Staffs Posts: 247
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Yes Ive tried rotating and completely different rims, all vibrated at same speed.
I jacked the car up and couldnt feel any give when pulling and pushing top and bottom of the wheel. I will measure swivel preload when I get time though. There is a minuscule movement in the droplink ball joint and equally tiny in the end of the steering damper, which is new. I doubt they are the culprit. What got me started was that I noticed there was a lot of free movement in the steering wheel after being left overnight. That disappeared after the engine was run - is that normal? Also is there a cheaper source for the steering boxes than £500 - £600  ? |
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16th Sep 2017 8:44pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16876
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After two bad experiences with "new" genuine parts (actually badly reconditioned units) I have bought two from reputable breakers on eBay from low mileage write-offs which have been faultless. Since I now have one spare box for each of my two vehicles, I will probably recondition my own if I need to in future.
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16th Sep 2017 10:17pm |
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| Leviathan Member Since: 24 Oct 2015 Location: Staffs Posts: 247
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Can someone confirm that a steering box from a 2012 2.2 Defender will fit my 2008 Puma please.
Ta |
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17th Sep 2017 6:02pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16876
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I am not aware of any differences and as far as I know they are interchangeable.
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17th Sep 2017 9:54pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 7685
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i believe it will fit yes.
there should not be any play in the box however long it is left Cheers James 110 XS Utility 130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making) 90 Puma Hardtop |
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18th Sep 2017 12:23pm |
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| Leviathan Member Since: 24 Oct 2015 Location: Staffs Posts: 247
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Thanks I will get one from a breakers.
Regarding the play when left sometime, I found an old thread after posting that said it was normal, especially when left with the wheels turned at around 30 degrees. It was confirmed by a few people so I was reassured. |
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18th Sep 2017 1:00pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16876
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It is normal that with the engine stopped and the hydraulic system depressurised there will be a significant amount of apparent play at the wheel. this is actually the wheel movement that operates the valves which provide the hydraulic assistance. With the engine running, and with the hydraulics pressurised, this will not be present. It is not something to worry about. It can however be quite disturbing when you rock the wheel with the engine stopped like this! |
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18th Sep 2017 1:25pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 7685
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apparant play yes, but not play in the steering, Cheers
James 110 XS Utility 130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making) 90 Puma Hardtop |
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18th Sep 2017 1:29pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2548 
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You can only assess the box for play in the straight ahead position. If it's turned left or right then there will be play apparent when parked up, that's just the nature of the design of the box.
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18th Sep 2017 6:58pm |
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| Leviathan Member Since: 24 Oct 2015 Location: Staffs Posts: 247
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In the straight ahead position pressurised there is zero play.
I'm going to replace it anyway because of the leak. Is it worthwhile getting a seal kit and refurbing my old one, bearing in mind its done 117000 miles? Or is it a specialists job? |
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18th Sep 2017 7:11pm |
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