1996 LAND ROVER DEFENDER differential

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
.

STEERING
13
REPAIR REV: 05/99 TRACK ROD AND LINKAGE
Service repair no - 57.55.09
Remove
1.Park vehicle on level ground and chock rear
wheels.
2.Raise vehicle and locate axle stands or use a
ramp.
3.Centralise steering
See Adjustment,
Centralise steering box
.
4.Unscrew 2 bolts and remove track rod protection
bracket from axle differential housing.
5.Remove split pin and castellated nut securing
track rod to swivel housing arms.
6.Disconnect track rod ball joints using
LRT-57-018.
7.Remove track rod.
8.Slacken clamp bolts.
9.Unscrew ball joints.

57STEERING
14
REPAIRREV: 05/99 Refit
10.Fit new ball joints to track rod and loosely tighten
clamp bolts.
11.Screw in ball joints to full extent of threads and
fully tighten clamp bolts.
CAUTION: A track rod that is damaged or
bent must be renewed. DO NOT attempt to
repair or straighten it.
12.Fit track rod to swivel housing arms and tighten
ball joint nuts to
40 Nm (30 lbf/ft).Fit new split
pin.
13.Fit track rod protection bracket to axle differential
housing.
14.Check wheel alignment
See Adjustment,
Front wheel alignment
.
15.Remove axle stands or vehicle from ramp.

REAR SUSPENSION
1
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION DESCRIPTION
The rear suspension design locates the rear axle with
two round section steel lower link arms and a forged
'A' frame, upper link assembly. This system allows
maximum axle articulation and wheel travel while
maintaining roll stiffness and directional stability.
The link arm is secured by a single retaining nut to the
chassis mounting, comprising a rubber bushed
bracket, which is retained by three fixings. A ferrule
rubber bush with a single retaining bolt is used to
secure the link arm to its axle mounting.
The upper link assembly is located on the rear
differential housing by a pivot ball-pin assembly. Two
brackets bolted to the chassis crossmember support
both sides of the 'A' frame of the link assembly,
secured by single retaining bolts.A Boge Hydromat self levelling unit can be fitted, as
an option, on 110/130 models to give additional
support when the vehicle is used to carry heavier
loads.
Two rubber bearing bushes, with retaining straps,
secure the rear of the anti-roll bar, if fitted, to the
chassis mountings, while bushed links support the
front of the anti-roll bar to the axle.
Conventional long travel coil springs and hydraulic
shock absorbers are used to control body movement.
The shock absorbers are secured to chassis mounting
brackets and fabricated lower mountings welded to to
the rear axle. Retaining plates are used to secure the
coil springs to the axle mounting while fabricated
brackets, welded to the chassis, are used for the
upper spring location.
Rear axle suspension
1.'A' frame, upper link assembly
2.Lower link
3.Coil springs
4.Shock absorber