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MR_JAMES

Member Since: 10 Oct 2013
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 260

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

pulling left

I have owned my 2011 2.4 since it was 2 years old, i don't use it as much as i used to as i'm more into the series 1. But after one mot 2 years ago it started pulling left, i need to hold the wheel at 1 o'clock and if i turn it back to 12 it steers to the left. Had a look underneath, nothings bent or any signs of damage but i'm really into leaf springs and series stuff and these bouncy coils with their panhard rods and radius arms have many more wear points.

I managed 85000 miles on my factory fit tyres so fitted new ones all round a month ago, still pulling.
I removed and greased front wheel bearings along with swivel and stub axle seals and still pulling

what to try next? tracking? The car spent most of its life in a 50 zone on the a127 going to work so its never been abused. 1953 80"
1987 mini city e
2011 90"

12th May 2025 9:42pm

BrickBox

Member Since: 05 Oct 2021
Location: Wales
Posts: 958

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver

Tracking is always my starting point. 2008 2.4 110 Utility Station Wagon XS.

12th May 2025 10:33pm

Ianh

Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 2338

Nearside front calliper binding ? As it heats up the disc will expand and bind increases. This will generate heat so be careful when checking after a drive.

At the mot they would have tested brakes, hopefully with a Decelerometer and not on a single roller !! In doing so the brake pistons may well have got a bit stuck on the caliper if the vehicle had not been driven on regular bsseis.

Above is just a pure guess but easy to check.

12th May 2025 11:17pm

jbcollier

Member Since: 29 Apr 2024
Location: Edmonton AB
Posts: 229

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White

“Pulling left” means if you let go of the steering wheel, the vehicle steers to the left. You have to maintain constant pressure on the steering wheel to the right to keep it straight. It’s like driving with a very strong crosswind.

I think you mean that the steering wheel is not straight when going straight but it otherwise drives fine.

Which is your problem?

13th May 2025 4:34am

Ianh

Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 2338

Good point JB. If that’s the case they could have adjusted the tracking but not kept the steering wheel centred when they did so. That would cause the steering wheel to not be centred when the steering is centred.

13th May 2025 2:41pm

MR_JAMES

Member Since: 10 Oct 2013
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 260

If i let go yes its pulling left. I only had time after work to take o/s wheel off today and something looks iffy with the axle, i will include a photo but it looks like shifted forward, the shock is at an angle and the bush at the bottom is not in properly? If thats not supposed to look like that could it be the radius arm bushes?

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge 1953 80"
1987 mini city e
2011 90"

13th May 2025 10:31pm

jbcollier

Member Since: 29 Apr 2024
Location: Edmonton AB
Posts: 229

The axle is located by the radius arms. Have a close look at their bushings for a start.

14th May 2025 1:59pm

Johan_B

Member Since: 20 Sep 2024
Location: Gothenburg
Posts: 77

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green

You can also check the trailing arm bushes in the rear.
I had an interesting ride home from the workshop at work when I had, in a hurry, replace one side of those and forgot to mount some critical parts.

14th May 2025 5:23pm

rustandoil

Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 828

2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey

We have checked the tyre pressures? 😉

14th May 2025 5:56pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20821

That damper bush looks like it’s past its best, are the top ones visible or under the “top hat” turret if you have one?
What are the rear ones like?

Has there been any work done on the brakes recently?

If the steering was off, it would be off centre I’d have though not pull to one side.
If it pulls to one side I’d say more body weight shift due to bushes or brakes, worn bushes can make things feel all over the shop when distributed body weights shifts under steering or braking input. _\Hennessey|Venom| F5/___
___\⭐️Lone|Star|State/___
____\We|Will|Win/___
____/🇬🇧🇺🇸\____
_//*⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰*\\_

14th May 2025 8:14pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3116

lf the fault occurred after the MOT then something must have happened to it at that point.

lt's highly unlikely that the garage could have bent anything unless they took it for a drive and crashed it.

Tracking isn't usually adjusted at the MOT, but it's possible. It's straightforward to get it checked and adjusted if necessary.

14th May 2025 9:17pm

MR_JAMES

Member Since: 10 Oct 2013
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 260

Thank you all for your advice. Going to replace some bushes and see how it goes. 1953 80"
1987 mini city e
2011 90"

16th May 2025 9:36pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20821

They very likely gave most of the bushes a good pry, steering bars, joints, A frame etc etc. _\Hennessey|Venom| F5/___
___\⭐️Lone|Star|State/___
____\We|Will|Win/___
____/🇬🇧🇺🇸\____
_//*⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰*\\_

17th May 2025 5:35pm

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