1996 LAND ROVER DEFENDER suspension

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
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
12
FAULT DIAGNOSISREV: 05/99 VISUAL CHECK AND BASIC ADJUSTMENTS
NOTE: It is important that the following
instructions are carried out in the
sequence shown and the results recorded.
1.Road springs - check that road springs are
correctly seated and are to correct specification
for vehicle. For spring specification
See
GENERAL SPECIFICATION DATA,
Information, Road Spring Data
.
2.Ride height - measure trim height from wheel
centre to wheelarch eyebrow. Record results on
data sheet.
3.Check/top up power steering fluid
See Repair,
Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
.
4.Check tension and condition of drive belt
See
ELECTRICAL, Repair, Auxiliary drive belt
.
5.Track rod/drag link - check condition of track rod,
drag link and ball joints
See Repair, Drag Link
and Drag Link Ends
.
If either component is damaged, check operation
of steering damper and steering box for
smoothness. Replace all damaged or worn
components that impair the operation of the
steering system.
6.Suspension bushes - examine all steering and
suspension bushes for signs of wear and
deterioration. Also check all fixings for torque
relaxation. Tighten to correct torque value
See
FRONT SUSPENSION, Specifications, torque,
Torque Values
.
7.Oil leaks - check front and rear axle hubs for
leak and repair as necessary.
8.Brake system - check brake system for leaks,
pipe condition, pad wear/contamination, disc
wear/condition.
9.Hub end float - check movement in the hubs by
rocking the wheels.
10.Check front wheel alignment. Vehicles displaying
a tendency to veer more than considered
allowable, it is permissible to set the front track
to parallel.11.Having completed all the above checks and
adjustments, road test vehicle
See Road Test
Procedure
.
Attempt to reproduce the symptoms established
earlier. If symptoms still exist refer to relevant
Diagnostic Chart.
STEERING LINKAGE INSPECT
NOTE: When inspecting steering linkages
and ball joints for wear the following items
must be checked.
Steering ball joints
1.Check ball joint rubber boots for security, signs
of cracking or deterioration.
2.Check ball joint assemblies for seizure i.e. no
movement on ball joint and associated
assemblies.
3.Check for excessive wear. This will be evident
as extreme movement on track rod and steering
linkages. Renew parts as necessary
See
Repair, Track Rod and Linkage
,See Repair,
Drag Link and Drag Link Ends
.
Steering linkages
1.Check all linkages for wear, deterioration and
damage. Renew parts as necessary
See
Repair, Track Rod and Linkage
,See Repair,
Drag Link and Drag Link Ends
.

57STEERING
4
REPAIR POWER STEERING BOX
Service repair no - 57.10.01
NOTE: A chassis undertray may be fitted
on some vehicle derivatives to conform to
legal requirements. When under chassis
remove and refit procedures are required, it may
be necessary to remove the undertray
See
CHASSIS AND BODY, Repair, Front undertray
.
General precautions
·Whenever any part of system, is removed or
disconnected, utmost cleanliness must be
observed.
·Disconnected ports and hoses must be
plugged to prevent ingress of dirt. If metal
sediment is found in system, establish cause,
rectify and flush system.
·Do not start engine until reservoir is full as
pump will be damaged.
·Metric pipe fittings are used with 'O' ring pipe
ends on fittings to steering box.
·Follow normal 'O' ring replacement procedure
whenever pipes are disconnected.
·Ensure compatible metric components when
fitting replacement pipes.
CAUTION: After refitting steering linkage
parts follow correct procedure to ensure
that road wheels, steering box and
steering wheel are correctly positioned relative to
each other when in straight ahead condition.
NOTE: When drag link is disconnected
from steering box, travel available at
steering wheel to each full lock is not
equal.
Remove
1.Site vehicle on level surface.
2.Apply park brake, chock rear wheels, raise
vehicle and locate axle stands. Alternatively,
raise vehicle on a hoist.
3.Remove road wheel.
4.Remove panhard rod
See FRONT
SUSPENSION, Repair, Panhard rod
.
5.Disconnect steering damper from drag link.
6.Disconnect drag link from drop arm, see J6305
on opposite page, using a suitable extractor.
7.Slacken, but do not remove nut securing tie bar
to mounting arm.8.Remove 2 bolts securing tie bar to steering box
and move aside.
9.Remove filler cap from power steering fluid
reservoir.
10.Position suitable container under steering box.
11.Disconnect feed and return pipes from steering
box and drain fluid.
12.Plug open pipes and steering box ports to
prevent ingress of dirt. Refit fluid reservoir filler
cap.
13.Centralise steering
See Centralise steering
box
.
14.Remove pinch bolt securing lower shaft
universal joint to power steering box.
15.Remove 4 bolts and 2 tab washers securing
steering box to chassis side member.
16.Withdraw steering box.
17.Clean all mounting faces, unions etc. prior to
refitting.
Refit
18.Position steering box to chassis side member,
ensuring locating peg is engaged. Fit tab
washers and tighten bolts to
81 Nm (60 lbf/ft).
19.Fit pinch bolt and nut securing universal joint to
power steering box spline. Tighten to
25 Nm (18
lbf/ft).
20.Secure tie bar to mounting arm and steering box.
Tighten fixings to
81 Nm (60 lbf/ft),starting with
tie bar to mounting nut, then loosen fixings by
one complete turn.
21.Check steering box and adjust if necessary
See
Adjustment, Power steering box - adjust
.
22.Refit drag link to drop arm and tighten nut to
40
Nm (30 lbf/ft).
Fit new split pin to retaining nut.

STEERING
5
REPAIR REV: 05/99
23.Fit panhard rodSee FRONT SUSPENSION,
Repair, Panhard rod
.
24.Fit road wheels. Lower vehicle to ground and
tighten wheel nuts to correct torque:
Alloy wheels - 130 Nm (96 lbf/ft)
Steel wheels - 100 Nm (80 lbf/ft)
Heavy duty wheels - 170 Nm (125 lbf/ft)
25.Remove plugs and refit feed and return pipes to
steering box. Tighten 16mm thread to
20 Nm (15
lbf/ft),
14mm thread to15 Nm (11 lbf/ft).
26.Remove filler cap. Fill reservoir to oil level mark
on dipstick, using recommended fluid
See
LUBRICANTS, FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES,
Information, Recommended lubricants and
fluids
.
27.Bleed power steering system
See Power
steering system - bleed
.
28.Recheck fluid level and replace cap.
29.With engine running, test steering system for
leaks by holding steering in both full lock
directions.
CAUTION: Do not maintain this pressure
for more than 30 seconds in any one
minute, to avoid oil overheating and
possible seal damage.
30.Test drive vehicle: using both full lock directions,
to settle steering components. If possible, drive
vehicle over uneven ground and include harsh
braking.
WARNING: Do not test drive vehicle on
public highway.
31.Drive vehicle in a straight line on level ground
and stop.
32.Tighten tie bar to mounting nut to
110 Nm (81
lbf/ft).
33.Tighten tie bar to steering box fixings to81 Nm
(60 lbf/ft).
34.Ensure steering wheel is correctly aligned when
wheels are positioned straight ahead.
35.If necessary, reposition steering wheel
See
Steering wheel
.
36.Road test vehicle.

FRONT SUSPENSION
1
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION DESCRIPTION
The front suspension design allows maximum wheel
travel and axle articulation providing good ground
clearance without loss of traction or directional
stability.
Long radius arms are fitted to the front axle and
provide maximum axle articulation which is vital for off
road performance. The radius arms are secured to
fabricated mounting brackets welded to the front axle.
Flexible rubber bushes are used on a stem end joint
to secure the rear of the radius arms to mountings on
the chassis cross member.
A panhard rod, which ensures that the front axle
remains centrally located, is fitted transversely and
also uses ferrule rubber bush mountings at both axle
and chassis locations.Two rubber bearing bushes, with retaining straps,
secure the rear of the anti-roll bar to the chassis
mountings, while bushed links support the front of the
bar to the front axle.
Conventional long travel coil springs and hydraulic
shock absorbers are used to control body movement
in all conditions. The shock absorbers are secured to
fabricated towers which are bolted to the chassis. The
upper and lower fixings use a single location stud with
flexible rubber bushes, support washers and securing
nuts. Retaining plates are used to secure the coil
springs to the fabricated towers and axle mountings.
Rubber bump stops are fitted underneath the chassis,
adjacent to the front road springs, and prevent
possible damage that could occur should there be
excessive axle to chassis movement.
Front suspension
1.Panhard rod
2.Radius arms
3.Coil springs
4.Shock absorber
5.Anti-roll bar

FRONT SUSPENSION
1
REPAIR SELF LOCKING NUTS
WARNING: Where self locking nuts are
removed, they must be replaced with new
nuts of same specification.
PANHARD ROD
Service repair no - 60.10.07.
Remove
1.Remove fixings at mounting arm.
2.Remove fixings at axle bracket.
3.Remove panhard rod.
4.Using a suitable length of steel tubing, press out
flexible bushes. Ensure tubing locates on outer
edge of bush and not on rubber inner.
Refit
5.Fit replacement bushes.
CAUTION: Apply pressure to outer edge of
bush, and not rubber inner.
6.Fit panhard rod to axle bracket and mounting
arm. Tighten fixings to
88 Nm (65 lbf/ft).
RADIUS ARM
Service repair no - 60.10.16.
Remove
1.Loosen road wheel retaining nuts.
2.Raise front of vehicle. Support chassis on stands
and remove wheel.
3.Support front axle weight with jack.
4.Remove radius arm to chassis side member
fixings.
5.Disconnect track rod at ball joint.

60FRONT SUSPENSION
2
REPAIRREV: 05/99
6.Remove fixings, radius arm to axle.
7.Lower radius arm front end to clear axle and
remove from vehicle.
8.Using suitable length of steel tubing, press out
flexible bushes.
Refit
9.Press in replacement bushes.
CAUTION: When pressing in new bushes
press on outer edge of bush and not
rubber inner.
10.Fit radius arm to axle mounting.
11.Fit track rod at ball joint.
12.Fit radius arm to chassis. Tighten bolts to
176
Nm (130 lbf/ft).
13.Fully tighten radius arm to axle fixings to197 Nm
(145 lbf/ft).
14.Fit road wheel, remove chassis stands and jack.
Tighten wheel nuts to correct torque:
Alloy wheels -
130 Nm (96 lbf/ft)
Steel wheels -100 Nm (80 lbf/ft)
Heavy duty wheels -170 Nm (125 lbf/ft)
FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER
Service repair no - 60.30.02.
Remove
1.Loosen road wheel retaining nuts.
2.Support chassis on stands and remove road
wheel.
3.Support axle weight with jack.
4.Remove shock absorber lower fixing and
withdraw cupwasher, rubber bush and seating
washer.
5.Remove four shock absorber bracket fixings.
6.Withdraw shock absorber and bracket assembly.
7.Withdraw lower seating washer, rubber bush and
cupwasher.
8.Remove fixings, shock absorber to mounting
bracket.
9.Withdraw mounting bracket.
10.Lift off top seating washer, rubber bush and
cupwasher.