TobyMellin Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I was wondering if anybody could shed some light on a steering problem I have. I did a pay & play day last sunday which was great. When I set off to drive home, I noticed straight away that my steering wheel was further around clockwise than it was before. I stopped to see if anything was loose underneath & checked the column shaft - all ok. I have full lock both ways, everything is tight and the car feels normal to drive. The only difference is that the steering wheel is 20 degrees or so around to the right than it was before. Another thing worth noting is that i damaged the near side front wheel rim lip on a rock (not a huge impact). The car is a 1990 discovery with sumo bars & damper relocation fitted. New steering box drop arm was fitted at the same time as the sumo bars (to convert to track rod instead of ball jointed drop arm). As in the title, I fear that the steering box shaft could be twisted. Any help, info or suggestions would be great. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Yep - twisted box shaft - mine does it almost every time out. Just ignore it - you'll probably find that next time you go out you'll twist it back again - thats what i tend to find. Although they twist quite easily they rarely break. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off Road Toad Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Im sorry but ignoring it is the worst piece of advise i think i've ever heard! this is your connection to your steering! if it fails at speed you DIE or some other innocent party dies. Fix it. It will not magically twist back to how it was before - it will get worse until it breaks. i know from experience. If this is a continual problem then perhaps hydrassist type steering may help. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveSIIA Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 It's worth checking the simple things first before assuming the steering box is damaged. Even with Sumo Bars, could the the tracking have been knocked out? Also check the new drop arm is secure on the tapered splines of the steering shaft - could it have 'settled' and then been knocked round a spline or two? I've had this happen to me with a RRC where the nut wasn't fully torqued. Although they twist quite easily they rarely break. Twisting (but not breaking) a shaft is one thing. Using a known defective component on a road going vehicle carries some responsibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 I'd say that it's a possibility that the drop arm has moved yes. I will try to remove and refit this after work tonight. Is there any way I can inspect the box shaft while the arm is off? Or is the part that can twist enclosed within the box? Many thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moose Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 If main shaft has twisted then you cant really see it... I think that its unlikely to break on the road... but if you pay and play and then its much more likely to break as is the rest of the box. I always make sure i have one spare to throw on and steve you did need you to drive over logs to break your steering box..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off Road Toad Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 If main shaft has twisted then you cant really see it... I think that its unlikely to break on the road... but if you pay and play and then its much more likely to break as is the rest of the box. I always make sure i have one spare to throw on and steve you did need you to drive over logs to break your steering box..... I agree, i did actually twist mine on the trophy cevenol originally and am guilty of continuing to drive the vehicle. But it frightens me to think i drove that car at speeds on public highways not really knowing what damage could have been on the shaft. It did break remarkably easily on those logs though really. That pic makes me want to go back to Romania badly Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 I think it must be a twisted shaft to be honest because I checked that the drop arm nut was tight the night before, and it still is now. Where's best to get a new/re-con box from? I was planning to go with hydro assist in the future, but need to check how it'd fit onto my sumo bar damper bracket. Plus, another big dent in the wallet Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon_81 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I bent the front steering bar and it caused my steering wheel to be 1/4 turn out from normal - but no other 'side effects' Could it be something that simple? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 Already checked the bars. As above, they're sumo bars, I very much doubt that I could bend one. Plus, if I bent the front bar, that'd make the near side wheel toe in, which would mean that the steering wheel would need to be rotated anti-clockwise to correct it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Toby, the best place if you need a new box is to go to the original manufacturers, Adwest. HTH Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Having problems speaking to Adwest, emails bounce back and they don't answer the phone. I've left a message but haven't had a call back. Spotted this on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230580493082&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Only problem is that I need a straight drop arm one for TRE fitment. He only has ones fitted with ball joint drop arms in stock. He lists boxes without drop arms but says he doesn't have stock of them. Last thing I want is having to press off the drop arm on a brand new box. Also, does that look a good price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydiesel Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Speak to Dan at frogs island 4x4 he will be able to sort you out with a brand new adwest box at a very good price. Dan posts on here as D3DPE Also every time i've fitted a new adwest box, the steering is much lighter and more precise than on the previous box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 thanks buddy, will give him a call tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robhybrid Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 It is not uncommon for a twisted power steering box to leak oil noticeably worse than usual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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