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jpboost



Member Since: 13 Apr 2021
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 374

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Steering issue. Intermittently heavy, no self-centering
Over the last couple of days, my 110 has developed a weird steering issue.

It's like the power assistance is coming and going, so the steering can suddenly become much heavier.
it's constantly changing, so may get heavy for a fraction of a second, or a few seconds. As you can imagine, this can make for a challenging drive!

When it's heavy, the steering seems to have also lost it's ability to self-centre. Which was quite unnerving when it first occurred coming off a tight motorway slip road. So possibly it's not the the assistance is failing, but that it's all seizing up?

It was totally fine until 2 days ago, no previous issues, although I've only owned it about 6 months.

it's a 2014 2.2 Puma TDCI 110 CSW, although I presume the steering parts are common with some of the earlier models.

I've tried searching, but not found anything similar. After reading some horror stories, I was getting concerned that it might be the front diff failing, but if I've read it correctly, I think the post 2010 110's are not as vulnerable to this issue.

I'll be checking fluid levels when I get a break at work, but thought I'd throw this up here now in case the combination of symptoms meant anything to anyone!

Thanks in advance!

Jon


Last edited by jpboost on 30th Sep 2021 1:22pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #923647 30th Sep 2021 9:31am
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familymad



Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3459

 2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Steering box
Steering damper
Swivel tension
Oil or grease in swivels lacking 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI
Post #923661 30th Sep 2021 10:47am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3141

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Perhaps it is a good idea to still take the front diff fill plug off and have a peep inside.
With handbrake applied and one of the front wheels off the ground, you should be able to rotate that wheel freely. If not check that your center diff lock is not engaged, which could manifest with same symptoms - although the warning light should also come on (warning light is on the speedo face). 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #923662 30th Sep 2021 10:47am
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jpboost



Member Since: 13 Apr 2021
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 374

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
It's definitely a sudden change.


The difflock light isn't on (and it works), but I wonder if it's possible to have knocked the lever a tiny bit so it's almost engaging. The lack of self-centering is certainly similar to driving in diff-lock (although it's something i rarely use).

I'll try to get some time this evening to have proper look under it. Although most of my tools are miles away in a lockup, so I may be limited to what I can do!
Post #923669 30th Sep 2021 11:01am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16809

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
This is very reminiscent of the time when my front 2-gear diff broke up, and if you find nothing else obviously wrong I strongly suggest jacking both front wheels of the ground to check the operation of the diff. It isn't fun when it fails completely whilst you are driving!
Post #923703 30th Sep 2021 12:57pm
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rallysteve



Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 2194

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green
Have had a similar experience with a 2.2tdci engine in a car. It was the PAS drive belt slipping occasionally and causing intermittent loss of assistance. From memory on my transverse engine the PAS pump was driven off the gearbox end of the camshaft though whereas I think the longitudinal puma engines have a more conventionally located pump. Worth checking the belt condition and tension though.

Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread
84' 90 3.9 V8 Caged Pickup Build Thread


Mobile Diesel Heater Build Thread
Post #923708 30th Sep 2021 1:05pm
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jpboost



Member Since: 13 Apr 2021
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 374

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Thanks BlackWolf.

I'd definitely like to avoid total steering failure if I can...

Dinnu suggests (above) checking each front separately. Are you referring to the same, or something additional with both wheels off the ground simultaneously?

Thanks

Jon
Post #923709 30th Sep 2021 1:07pm
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hank



Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2218

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I was getting a heaviness in steering a few weeks ago. Was knackered panhard rod bushes

 > 110 XS Double Cab
> Instagram @simonlanemind
Post #923710 30th Sep 2021 1:09pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16809

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
jpboost wrote:
Thanks BlackWolf.

I'd definitely like to avoid total steering failure if I can...

Dinnu suggests (above) checking each front separately. Are you referring to the same, or something additional with both wheels off the ground simultaneously?

Thanks

Jon


You can check the diff operation lifting one.

With one wheel lifted and the CDL disengaged, spinning one wheel should spin the propshaft and it should be smooth. If the diff has failed and locked, you won't be able to spin the wheel. If the diff is in the process of failing, expect grinding and notchiness.
Post #923739 30th Sep 2021 2:39pm
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jpboost



Member Since: 13 Apr 2021
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 374

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
So, following some investigation (in the rain...)

The PS reservoir has plenty of clean fluid in it.
There are no leaks visible at any part of the steering system
Both front wheels have no play in terms of wheel bearings or swivels.
Both front wheels rotate freely, and smoothly. (A relief!)
Panhard bushes seem ok (but hard to tell without moving them)

Unfortunately there's nobody about to wiggle the steering for me, so the various bush checks were static.

As I'm less rushed (i.e. not trying to get to work or get a toddler to childcare), I took a step back and tried to check exactly what I was experiencing.
It was then I noticed that the steering is also 'not right' when at a standstill, so I think also this rules out the diff..

The steering UJs look a bit dry/crusty. Could these be the problem? A bit more searching on the forum does suggest that these could possibly be at fault, but can these really fail/seize overnight? So I sprayed some grease (unfortunately I don't have any WD40 or penetrating oil here) into and onto both the upper and lower UJs. I don't think it's made much of a difference, but that may just be as the grease I used isn't thin enough to have got into the joints.

I think, from this, I either need to replace the steering coupler, and/or the steering pump. Is there any way I can test the pump?

Thanks
Post #923783 30th Sep 2021 6:10pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5408

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
Lubricant the UJ’s on the steering wheel to steering box shaft (under bonnet). Especially if the engine bay gets washed.

You’ll may be surprised by a cheap spray of grease/oil.
Post #923785 30th Sep 2021 6:21pm
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Race.it



Member Since: 27 Aug 2019
Location: Algeciras
Posts: 739

Spain 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Alaska White
I have done the bush checks in the past by putting a mobile with video recording looking at the area then wiggle the wheel and then replay the video Searching for my first Defender...and started just as Covid hit, so talk about timing.

5 months after starting the search I found it, and here is the details
Post #923788 30th Sep 2021 6:54pm
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jpboost



Member Since: 13 Apr 2021
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 374

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
That's a really good idea.

I'll give that a go over the weekend.
Post #923836 1st Oct 2021 7:10am
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Caterham



Member Since: 06 Nov 2008
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 6260

England 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
jpboost wrote:
It's definitely a sudden change.


The difflock light isn't on (and it works), but I wonder if it's possible to have knocked the lever a tiny bit so it's almost engaging. The lack of self-centering is certainly similar to driving in diff-lock (although it's something i rarely use).

I'll try to get some time this evening to have proper look under it. Although most of my tools are miles away in a lockup, so I may be limited to what I can do!


If you think it feels like the diff lock then don't rule it out. Took me almost 100k miles to realise mine was occasionally locking.
Post #923838 1st Oct 2021 7:27am
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jpboost



Member Since: 13 Apr 2021
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 374

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
2 weeks on, and i thought I'd better update this:

The more I drove it, the more I thought the stiffness was a bit notchy and definitely was there when stationary. So, my money was on it being the steering UJs.

So I ordered the steering shaft lower section (inc both UJs and the expensive heat shield).

I've not had time to fit it yet, but over the last week, the steering has gone back to normal. I can only assume the grease i sprayed has gradually worked into the joints and freed them up a bit.

I'll still fit the new part (as it's sitting in boot), but the panic is off.

Any tips on fitting? How long should I expect it to take - I don't have access to a ramp so I'll be working on the drive.
Post #926211 18th Oct 2021 1:58pm
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