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geostrategist

Member Since: 25 Apr 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 58

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green

Steering wheel freeplay

I'm getting about 20-30 degrees of freeplay in the steering wheel before there is any movement. (i.e about 10-15 degrees left and right). Running straight is about 5 degrees off centre as well.

I don't recall that it has always been like this, so how normal is it?

23rd Oct 2019 11:19am

Pilgrimmick

Member Since: 16 Nov 2015
Location: Highlands
Posts: 581

Too common, but can almost certainly be adjusted out with the adjustment on the box. Simple procedure. You will have become gradually used to the wear as it come on very slowly, once adjusted you will be amazed how crisp it feels again!. 80" 1948
Lightweight V8
Bowler Tomcat
130 Station wagon
90 300tdi
(Santana PS10 pick up)
Range Rover L322 (Ful fat)

23rd Oct 2019 11:40am

oneten110

Member Since: 02 Jul 2011
Location: Wish I was still in France
Posts: 741

there is a specified limit detailed in the factory manual. From sepia tinted memory it is 6mm either side of centre at the rim of the steering wheel. Or is it 6mm free play in total? Cannot remember and manual is 800 miles away at the moment It is not a Defender, it is a One_Ten

23rd Oct 2019 4:52pm

topless_matt

Member Since: 29 Mar 2015
Location: norfolk
Posts: 68

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Tonga Green

Check your drop arm ball joint. That’s the usual culprit for this play. Easy job to change with a repair kit available from most places. Other thing to check is the ujs on the steering column in the engine bay as these can wear if it’s an older defender.

23rd Oct 2019 7:37pm

Horneteer

Member Since: 10 Feb 2015
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 60

While you're checking the drop arm, also check the arm is seated on the steering box splines and the nut is still tight (176 Nm) especially if the drop arm or box has been replaced at some point. Don't ask how i know this

23rd Oct 2019 9:36pm

topless_matt

Member Since: 29 Mar 2015
Location: norfolk
Posts: 68

You found out the hard way too then

23rd Oct 2019 9:54pm

geostrategist

Member Since: 25 Apr 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 58

Pilgrimmick wrote:
Too common, but can almost certainly be adjusted out with the adjustment on the box. Simple procedure. You will have become gradually used to the wear as it come on very slowly, once adjusted you will be amazed how crisp it feels again!.

So how do I do that then?

29th Oct 2019 11:59am

sako243

Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1185

1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White

I'd check all the other links in the steering (there are a lot) before you start fiddling with the steering box. I had that and thought it was but turned out to be the UJs in the steering column instead. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi

29th Oct 2019 8:17pm

Silvertoolbox

Member Since: 13 Oct 2018
Location: Westhill
Posts: 43

It used to be 3" each way at rim for a steering box and about 1/2" for rack and pinion for the MOT..
Mind you, at the limit not much fun trying to go in a straight line. Needs looking at.
Free play in box needs adjusting when straight ahead when tightest. Ex scottish & southern 110 Td5 van (shed) with PTO driven winch (L-R special vehicles)
Before that, Disco 1, Freelander 1, 26105382 80" with a 1600cc (not much slower)

29th Oct 2019 9:46pm

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