1996 LAND ROVER DEFENDER Workshop Manual

STEERING
3
FAULT DIAGNOSIS STEERING DAMPER
The power steering system, as well as reducing the
effort required to manoeuvre the vehicle when
parking, also helps to dampen any deflections of the
road wheels, being transmitted back to the steering
wheel.
When operating the vehicle off road, the road wheels
are often deflected by ruts and boulders causing the
steering wheel to turn left and right. This phenomenon
is known as 'steering kickback'. To subdue the effects
of 'steering kickback', a hydraulic damper is fitted in
the steering linkage between the track rod and the
differential casing. The damper, which offers the same
resistance in extension and compression, is sealed for
life.
Steering damper check
Check the condition operation of the hydraulic
steering damper as follows:
Check procedure
1.Inspect damper for casing damage or leaks.
2.Clamp one end of the damper horizontally in a
vice using soft jaws. Compress and extend the
unit by hand. Resistance should be equal in both
directions.
3.If it is felt that the unit is outside acceptable
limits, fit a new steering damperSTEERING FAULTS
Symptom:-
Excessive kickback through steering wheel - when
driven on rough terrain.
1.Is the steering damper in good working order?
See Steering Damper.
NO - Renew unit
See Repair, Steering
Damper
.
YES - Continue.
2.Is there any looseness or free play in the
steering ball joints and linkage?
YES -
See Steering Linkage Inspect.
NO - Continue.
3.Is there any looseness or worn bushes in front
suspension?
YES -
See FRONT SUSPENSION, Repair,
Radius Arm
.
NOTE: When replacing suspension bushes
ALL bushes and fixings must be replaced.
NO - Continue.
4.Is the steering exceptionally light/sensitive when
driven on good road surface?
YES - See fault symptom -Steering
excessively light/sensitive and freeplay at
steering wheel.
NO - Suspect axle swivel resistance.
5.Check the resistance of the axle swivels
See
FRONT AXLE AND FINAL DRIVE, Overhaul,
Front Stub Axle, Constant Velocity Joint and
Swivel Pin Housing
.

57STEERING
4
FAULT DIAGNOSIS Symptom:-
Fluid leaks from steering box seals.
CAUTION: The steering wheel must not be
held on full lock for more than 30 seconds
in one minute, as this may overheat the
fluid and cause damage to the oil seals.
1.Check fluid level
See Repair, Power Steering
Fluid Reservoir
.
Check fluid pressure
See Power Steering
System - Test
.
2.Is pressure high?
YES - Renew pump
See Repair, Power
steering Pump
.
If oil seal leaks persist after renewing the pump
See Overhaul, Power Steering Box.
NO -
See Overhaul, Power Steering Box.
Symptom:-
Insufficient power assistance - castor return
action normal.
1.Are tyres correct type and pressure?
NO -
See GENERAL SPECIFICATION DATA,
Information, Wheels and Tyres
.
YES - Continue.
2.Is fluid level correct?
NO - Check fluid level
See Repair, Power
Steering Fluid Reservoir
.
YES - Check system for air locks
See Repair,
Power Steering System - Bleed
.
3.Is pressure correct?
NO - Check fluid pressure
See Power Steering
System - Test
.
If pressure is not correct after bleeding the
system, renew pump
See Repair, Power
Steering Pump
.
YES -
See Overhaul, Power Steering Box.Symptom:-
Steering heavy - stiff, poor castor return action.
1.Are tyres correct type and pressure?
NO -
See INTRODUCTION, Information,
Wheels and Tyres
.
YES - Check universal joints for seizure and
correct alignment
See Repair, Lower Steering
Shaft and Universal Joints
.
Check power steering box adjustments
See
Overhaul, Power Steering Box
.
2.Is the power assistance satisfactory?
NO - See fault symptomInsufficient
assistance, (castor return action normal).
YES - Disconnect drag link from drop arm and
check steering column and box for stiffness
See
Repair, Drag Link and Drag Link Ends
.
3.Is the steering stiff with the drag link
disconnected?
NO - Check steering ball joints for seizure and
axle swivels lubrication and resistance
See
Repair, Drag Link and Drag Link Ends
,See
FRONT AXLE AND FINAL DRIVE, Overhaul,
Front Stub Axle, Constant Velocity Joint and
Swivel Pin Housing
.
YES - Disconnect the lower steering shaft and
check the column and box for stiffness
See
Repair, Lower Steering Shaft and Universal
Joints
.
4.Is the steering column stiff to turn when
disconnected from the box?
NO - Remove and overhaul box
See Overhaul,
Power Steering Box
.
YES - Adjust steering column
See Stiff
Steering Checklist
.

STEERING
5
FAULT DIAGNOSIS REV: 05/99 Symptom :-
Steering excessively light/sensitive. Excessive
freeplay at steering wheel.
1.Are steering box adjustments correct?
NO -
See Adjustment, Power Steering Box.
WARNING: Adjustments of steering box
should not be required while in warranty
period. If box is within warranty, it must be
returned to manufacturer. No attempt must be
made to introduce backlash.
YES - Suspect worn panhard rod or radius arm
bushes. Check condition of ball joints and the
lower steering column shaft universal joints for
wear
See Repair, Lower Steering Shaft and
Universal Joints
.
Symptom :-
Steering vibration, road wheel shimmy - wobble.
Vibration through the steering linkage powerful
enough to induce high frequency oscillation of the
steering wheel, is generally caused by out of balance
road wheels. However there are a number of other
possible causes of this symptom which if severe, may
be described as shimmy or wobble. Regardless of the
terminology used by the owner/driver to describe the
symptoms, the following diagnostic checks should be
carried out in the order presented.
1.Check the tyres and balance of the road wheels
See GENERAL SPECIFICATION DATA,
Information, Wheels and Tyres
,See
WHEELS AND TYRES, Fault diagnosis, Fault
- Symptoms See WHEELS AND TYRES,
Repair, Wheel Balancing .
2.Check the steering hydraulic damper function
See Steering Damper.
3.Check steering column universal joints for wear
and correct alignment
See Repair, Lower
Steering Shaft and Universal Joints
.4.Check steering linkage ball joints for wear,
correct alignment and security, including steering
box and tie rod
See Steering Linkage Inspect
.
5.Check all front suspension rubbers for wear.
Check all fixing torques, including radius arm
bushes, panhard rod and anti-roll bar
See
FRONT SUSPENSION, Repair, Panhard Rod
,
See FRONT SUSPENSION, Repair, Radius
Arm
,See FRONT SUSPENSION, Repair,
Anti-Roll Bar
,See FRONT SUSPENSION,
Repair, Front Shock Absorber
.
6.Fit new radius arm bushes using NTC 6781. Fit
new nuts, bolts and washers.
7.If problem persists fit damper kit STC 288 - 90,
STC 290 - 110/130 (2 off front) and STC 289 -
90, STC 291 - 110 levelled, STC 292 - 110
unlevelled, STC 293 - 130 (2 off rear). Road test
vehicle.
8.Check the power steering box adjustments and
operation
See Overhaul, Power Steering Box.
9.Check the hub bearing end floats and determine
the condition of the hub bearings as applicable
See FRONT AXLE AND FINAL DRIVE, Repair,
Front Hub Assembly
.
10.Check the resistance and condition of the
swivels
See FRONT AXLE AND FINAL DRIVE,
Description and operation, Description
.
If problem is not diagnosed: Repeat checks
starting at 1.
11.Carry out a full steering geometry check
See
GENERAL SPECIFICATION DATA,
Information, Steering
.

57STEERING
6
FAULT DIAGNOSIS STEERING STABILITY AND VEER UNDER
BRAKING
Possible cause:
Incorrectly set, swivel pin bearing preload.
Remedy.
1.Follow instructions to overhaul front stub axle,
constant velocity joint and swivel pin
See
FRONT AXLE AND FINAL DRIVE, Overhaul,
Front Stub Axle, Constant Velocity Joint and
Swivel Pin Housing
.1. GENERAL STEERING
1.Carry out visual and safety checks
See Visual
and Safety Checks
.
2.Road test vehicle
See Road Test Procedure.
3.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue
4.Is problem stiff steering?
YES -
See Stiff Steering Checklist.
NO-Goto6.
5.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - go to 8.
6.Is problem steering niggle ?
YES - Replace radius arm bushes, arm and axle
See FRONT SUSPENSION, Repair, Radius
Arm
.
NO - go to 8.
7.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
8.Centralise steering box
See Adjustment,
Centralise Steering Box
.
9.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
10.Check, adjust if necessary, steering geometry.
11.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
12.Categorise the remaining problems into one or
more of the following descriptions:
See 2. Steering Veer.
See 3. Veer Under Braking.
See 4. Directional Stability.

STEERING
7
FAULT DIAGNOSIS 2. STEERING VEER
From 1. GENERAL STEERING:
1.Vehicle veers, not under braking, swap front
tyres side to side.
2.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
3.Does vehicle now veer in other direction?
YES - fit new tyres
NO - continue.
4.Recentralise steering box
See Adjustment,
Centralise Steering Box.
5.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - contact local technical office.3. VEER UNDER BRAKING
From 1. GENERAL STEERING:
1.Vehicle veers under braking, bleed brake
system.
2.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
3.Check brake pads for glazing, and discs, axles
etc for contamination.
4.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
5.Check brake lines and hoses for deterioration.
Replace as necessary.
6.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
7.Contact local technical office.

57STEERING
8
FAULT DIAGNOSIS 4. DIRECTIONAL STABILITY
From 1. GENERAL STEERING:
1.Is directional stability concern when vehicle is
towing?
YES - Check towing/vehicle loading parameters
in Owner's Handbook.
NO - go to 3.
2.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
3.Check condition of rear trailing link/chassis
bushes.
4.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
5.Check condition of front and rear shock
absorbers. If necessary, change units in pairs,
side to side.
6.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
7.Check steering damper
See Steering Damper
.
8.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
9.Check wheel balance
10.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - contact local technical office.POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS
1.Is fluid level correct?
YES - go to 3.
NO - Refill or drain to correct level. Bleed
system, check for leaks
See Repair, Power
Steering System - Bleed.
2.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
3.Are hoses or joints leaking? Check on full lock
with engine at 2000 rev/min.
YES - loosen and retorque joints.
NO - go to 6.
4.Does leak remain?
YES - change PAS pipe.
NO - end.
5.Does leak remain?
YES - suspect seal in component. Check and
replace as necessary.
NO - end.
6.Is oil escaping from filler cap?
YES - bleed system
See Repair, Power
Steering System - Bleed.
NO - go to 8.
7.Is oil still escaping from filler cap?
YES - go back to 1.
NO - end.
8.Is oil leaking from PAS pump?
YES - go to 10.
NO - continue.
9.Is oil leaking from PAS box?
YES - go to 10.
NO - end.
10.Clean unit, add tracer dye to system. Retest
11.Is oil still leaking?
YES - establish leak point. Repair or replace unit
as necessary.
NO - end.

STEERING
9
FAULT DIAGNOSIS POWER STEERING SYSTEM - EXCESSIVE NOISE
1.Is fluid level correct?
YES - go to 3.
NO - Refill or drain to correct level. Bleed
system, check for leaks
See Repair, Power
Steering System - Bleed
.
2.Is problem resolved?
YES - end
NO - continue.
3.Is pressure hose from pump to box touching
body in a hard foul condition?
YES - route hose away from body.
NO - go to 5.
4.Does noise remain?
YES - continue.
NO - end.
5.Is noise a whistle or hiss on full lock?
YES - noise is not a fault unless excessive.
Compare with other vehicles
NO - go to 8.
6.Is noise excessive?
YES - continue.
NO - end.
7.Change steering box and/or pump.
8.Is noise a squeal on full lock?
YES - check drive belt tension and remove belt if
necessary
See ELECTRICAL, Repair,
Auxiliary drive Belt
.
NO - go to 10.
9.Does squeal remain?
YES - drive belt contaminated, change belt.
NO - end.
10.Is noise a continuous moan?
YES - bleed PAS system
See Repair, Power
Steering System - Bleed
.
NO - go to 13.
11.Does moan remain?
YES - do figure 8 manoeuvres.
NO - end.
12.Does moan remain?
YES - continue
NO - end.13.Is noise an intermittent "grunt"?
YES -
See Power Steering System - Grunt.
NO - continue.
14.Is it a clunking noise?
YES - check drive belt tension and renew belt if
necessary
See ELECTRICAL, Repair,
Auxiliary drive Belt
.
NO - contact local technical office.
15.Does noise remain?
YES - Suspect suspension or drive train.
NO - end.
POWER STEERING SYSTEM - GRUNT
Steering box grunts intermittently when turning
from lock to lock:
1.Is fluid level correct?
YES - go to 3.
NO - refill or drain to correct level. Bleed system,
check for leaks
See Repair, Power Steering
System - Bleed
.
2.Does grunt remain?
YES - continue
NO - end.
3.Is correct low pressure hose, steering box to
reservoir, fitted?
YES - go to 5.
NO - Fit correct hose.
4.Does grunt remain?
YES - continue
NO - end.
5.Purge box by doing figure 8 manoeuvres e.g. on
car park, followed by 10 minutes normal road
use.
6.Does grunt remain?
YES - Contact local technical office
NO - end.

57STEERING
10
FAULT DIAGNOSISREV: 05/99 VISUAL AND SAFETY CHECKS
WARNING: Before taking vehicle out on
the public highway for road test, it is
important that the following basic visual
checks are carried out to ensure that the vehicle
complies with legal requirements.
Tyres and wheel rims
1.Check and adjust tyre pressures
See
GENERAL SPECIFICATION DATA,
Information, Tyre Pressures
.
Note that this information refers to standard tyres
fitted as original equipment.
2.Check condition of tyres. Inspect for signs of
uneven wear, damage and feathering. Check
tread depth.
3.Ensure that the tyre make, type and general
condition are common across each axle.
4.Check wheel rims for signs of damage and
excessive run out.
5.Carry out road test
See Road Test Procedure
.
ROAD TEST PROCEDURE
General steering/handling problems can usually be
classified into one of the categories listed and ARE
GENERALLY RELATED TO THE AGE, CONDITION
AND USE OF THE VEHICLE.
WARNING: Ensure that all road tests are
conducted by suitably qualified drivers in
a safe and legal manner, and where local
traffic conditions allow.
1.Carry out visual and safety checks
See Visual
and Safety Checks
.
Confirm general nature of complaint with customer,
simulating where possible the conditions under which
the problem occurs. Carry out following road test
procedure to establish the problem.2.Steering load assessment - drive at 16 km/h (10
mph). Put 90°turn input into steering wheel,
check self centering. The self centering should
be equal on each lock but not necessarily return
to exactly straight ahead without assistance from
the driver.
3.Steering assessment - drive at 64 km/h (40 mph)
on a staight FLAT road (no camber), check for
steering veer. The vehicle should follow a
straight path with NO tendency to follow a
curved path. If vehicle veers towards the kerb,
vehicle may be 'camber sensitive'. A small
amount of veer in direction of camber is
acceptable.
4.Directional stability assessment - drive at 112
km/h (70 mph) or maximum legal speed on a
straight flat road. Carry out a normal lane
change. Vehicle should quickly settle into a new
straight path.
5.Braking assessment (medium effort) - drive at 96
km/h (60 mph) on a straight flat road. Apply
steady medium braking effort, noting any
tendency to veer. Carry out brake test three
times, if a veer is consistently noted carry out a
braking efficiency test on a rolling road.
6.Braking assessment (full effort) - drive at 96
km/h (60 mph) on a straight flat road. Apply full
braking effort, noting any tendency to veer. Carry
out brake test three times, if a veer is
consistently noted carry out a braking efficiency
test on a rolling road.
If the symptom described by the customer is stiff
steering or steering niggle, carry out stiff steering
procedure
See Stiff Steering Checklist.
If not, proceed with basic checks and adjustments
See Visual Check and Basic Adjustments.