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Thud



Member Since: 21 Jul 2012
Location: London
Posts: 667
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver
Steering wheel centering.
The steering wheel on my new (2008) 90 seems to be off center which I notice on a dead straight road.
I imagine the wheel just needs coming off and moving round one spline or so.
Is this a straightforward unbolt, re-bolt or is there any more to it? How does the front part come off to reveal the bolt? Just yank?
Advice before I get the socket set out would be appreciated.
Post #162541 17th Aug 2012 10:14am
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Go Beyond



Member Since: 30 Jan 2012
Location: Headcorn, Kent
Posts: 6678
United Kingdom 
The centre pad just pulls off

The wheel will either be easy to get off or a right pig !

Undo the nut in the centre but DO NOT take it right off - the reason is if the wheel suddenly lets go when trying to pull it off it will certainly smack you in the face Mr. Green

If the wheel wont budge you will need to make / obtain a tool - there is a thread on here that shows you if you search
Post #162545 17th Aug 2012 10:35am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17766
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
It is unlikely (but not impossible) that the wheel is on the wrong spline, since this is quite a significant error.

There is provision on the steering box for fitting a locking bolt which locks the steering box in mid position. If the steering wheel is skew-whiff with the bolt fitted it is the steering wheel that needs adjusting as descirbed above. If however the steering wheel is then straight you need to adjust the drag link so that the road wheels are straight ahead with the steering centred. If you move the steering wheel my a spline and it overcorrects, then as well the drag link needs adjusting. It is however not a difficult procedure.

Not all types of Defender steering wheels have the threaded holes for a puller (fopr example, mine, which is the flat type not the one with the fake airbag lump, doesn't, and can only be removed by the pull./thump method).
Post #162551 17th Aug 2012 11:12am
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Thud



Member Since: 21 Jul 2012
Location: London
Posts: 667
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver
I must admit I thought it strange the wheel could be wrong. Perhaps I'll just mention it at the next service rather than mess around.
Thanks for the advice chaps.
Post #162554 17th Aug 2012 11:15am
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Go Beyond



Member Since: 30 Jan 2012
Location: Headcorn, Kent
Posts: 6678
United Kingdom 
Blackwolf is absolutely right although I presumed you'd already checked the steering alignment and come to the conclusion that it was the wheel.

I've seen Thuds 90 and it is the 'bulbous pad' version with the threaded holes
Post #162556 17th Aug 2012 11:17am
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Thud



Member Since: 21 Jul 2012
Location: London
Posts: 667
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver
Sadly I wouldn't know how the check the steering alignment. Big Cry
Post #162558 17th Aug 2012 11:19am
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Go Beyond



Member Since: 30 Jan 2012
Location: Headcorn, Kent
Posts: 6678
United Kingdom 
Carry out blackwolf's instructions or get a 'reputable' tyre place to check for you
Post #162560 17th Aug 2012 11:21am
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Mountain_man



Member Since: 09 Dec 2011
Location: Right side of Offas Dyke
Posts: 756
Wales 
If it is only out by a little bit then shortening or lengthening the drag ling by half a turn or so will correct it. Much easier than removing the wheel.
Post #162563 17th Aug 2012 11:37am
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Thud



Member Since: 21 Jul 2012
Location: London
Posts: 667
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver
This is the drag link right?
I assume I loosen the clamps and turn it a quarter one way or another then clamp up again.
It won't have a negative effect on the steering? Camber, toe in/out etc?



Alright, in for a penny... *goes for tool box*

Last edited by Thud on 17th Aug 2012 12:24pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #162566 17th Aug 2012 11:53am
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Mountain_man



Member Since: 09 Dec 2011
Location: Right side of Offas Dyke
Posts: 756
Wales 
Loosen clamps either end and rotate the bar. It won't affect the geometry in any way. If you have to turn it a lot to get the wheel straight then you must check that the wheels still stop on the steering stops before the steering box runs out of travel else you will damage the box.

Remember each spline of the steering wheel is about 7 degrees (assume you have a 48 spline column). So if the wheel is out by more than 3.5 degrees then it might be worth moving it one spline and then using the drag link method to fine tune it.
Post #162567 17th Aug 2012 12:01pm
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Thud



Member Since: 21 Jul 2012
Location: London
Posts: 667
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver
Tried first with the wheel. Too much. So put the wheel back and tuned it in as directed.
Lovely and centered now. Thanks for the help!
Post #162573 17th Aug 2012 12:27pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17766
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
You're welcome!
Post #162586 17th Aug 2012 1:28pm
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Mountain_man



Member Since: 09 Dec 2011
Location: Right side of Offas Dyke
Posts: 756
Wales 
Thumbs Up
Post #162618 17th Aug 2012 3:17pm
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WelshGas



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Posts: 935
Wales 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Are you sure it wasn't camber effect that was making the steering wheel appear off centre? My 90 has the steering wheel just the L off centre on A and B roads. Centre on motorways and the exact opposite when driving on the continent. Just to the R off centre on non-autoroutes and central on the autoroute. Dead central when driving and braking on a former runway near us that is used by our model R C club. Whistle LANDYWATCH

Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners

http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php
Post #162704 17th Aug 2012 8:52pm
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Thud



Member Since: 21 Jul 2012
Location: London
Posts: 667
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver
No. I've tested the theory on all sorts of roads including long motorway stretches. Made sure tyre pressures are correct ect.
Seems okay now and one more problem I can now solve if I ever need to.
Post #162707 17th Aug 2012 8:57pm
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