Ash333 Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Hi, new to forum, and although I have made use of many of the interesting posts on here its high time I posted an appeal for help! Basically a very long story short... Bought an ex Mil defender 90 about a year ago had 2.5 na engine swapped for 200tdi and at same time secondhand power steering system fitted. All well until it started cooling down late September when steering became stiff on cold start up. The colder the weather got the stiffer and longer it took to warm up and work properly. The guy who did the work said it was probably the pump, so I bought and fitted myself a brand new bearmach one... No change the guy then said it must be the box ( 6 bolt) got exchange 6bolt recon box and drop arm from paddocks fitted that, still the same... Replaced ujs on steering column... Still same except getting colder and worse! Swapped fluid for fully synthetic ATF dextron lll level correct on cap dip stick..still same. Brand new belt fitted and tensioned correctly. System bled properly as far as I can work out, I have done it to the letter according to Haynes . No kinks or leaks in lines. Still same except now as its getting colder I'm also getting a chirruping noise on full lock!! Tonight lifted front on axle stands and checked track rod end ball joints and seem fine, boots ok and no movement in them. Also no leaks from ball hub thingy and oil levels correct. Getting to end of tether...Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I think I may know the answer! 6 Bolt boxes (and 3 bolt) are designed to run at higher pressure than 4 bolt. If you have a 200 tdi pump, the steering will be heavy. Either change to a 4 bolt box or put a Range Rover pump on it. If you feel more technical, you can adjust the pressure relief valve in the pump. This is usually a grub screw which compresses a spring pushing a ball bearing into a relief port on the exhaust. If it's the correct pump for the box, it may just be that the relief is opening too early. The "chirruping noise" is either the belt slipping or the relief valve opening. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 AFAIK the same pump for all the steering boxes, my 6 bolt was replaced by a 4 bolt, I haven't noticed any difference in effort to steer, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roverdrive Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Might be worth disconnecting the drop arm from the box with the front supported on axle stands, and seeing how much effort is needed to turn the steering from lock to lock. If there is a steering damper fitted, check that as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yostumpy Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 don't forget to well lube the steering colum uj's as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Steering ujs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Steering ujs? There are two UJ's in the steering column that have a tendency to sieze up making the steering stiff. Pop the bonnet and you'll see them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash333 Posted December 22, 2012 Author Share Posted December 22, 2012 Thanks for all the feedback, lots to think a about now... How would I know which range rover pump fits a 200tdi? I just noticed The last mot ( before I owned vehicle and without pas ) has an advisory say steering slightly stiff... Could this be a clue? Maybe it's not related to cold weather but just progressively getting worse I spoke to a local mechanic who said he would chec the track rod ends aren't seized... What is the best way to do this? As mentioned before I have had front on axle stands and ther was no movement in them but if they were seized there wouldn't be! I could turn the wheels reasonably easily left and right whith my hands, woul that suggest that they aren't seized? Rubber boots seem ok. Or would they only seize under load with wheels on ground? Any more advise greatly appreciated Thanks! I think I may know the answer! 6 Bolt boxes (and 3 bolt) are designed to run at higher pressure than 4 bolt. If you have a 200 tdi pump, the steering will be heavy. Either change to a 4 bolt box or put a Range Rover pump on it. If you feel more technical, you can adjust the pressure relief valve in the pump. This is usually a grub screw which compresses a spring pushing a ball bearing into a relief port on the exhaust. If it's the correct pump for the box, it may just be that the relief is opening too early. The "chirruping noise" is either the belt slipping or the relief valve opening. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potato head Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I had the same problem and it was the lower uj. If you take them off, one at a time, you will be able to feel stiffness in the movement when its on your hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 WD 40 on both the u/j's. Then use engine oil..... I had a Range Rover that the u/ j's would seize up if you power washed the engine bay. I pour oil over the u/ j's when servicing my Defender Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash333 Posted December 23, 2012 Author Share Posted December 23, 2012 As mentioned Both Universal joints on steering column are brand new ....I changed them and it made no difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat_pending Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I note the OP says the column uj's have already been changed. Check the oil level in the front hubs, if the top bushes dry out the steering can get very stiff. This can also happen if it's got one shot grease in the hubs as this can't get into the bushes like EP oil. Anyway, if you disconnect each component in the steering in order you should be able to locate the stiffness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I'd have a look at the swivel preloads and maybe even the condition of the bearing and Railko bushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 As mentioned Both Universal joints on steering column are brand new ....I changed them and it made no difference. Hopefully these weren't Britpart joints, otherwise there may lie your problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash333 Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 Finally got to the bottom of it! After going through everything that it could possibly be I gave up and put it in my local garage . They went through everything systematically even changing a couple of ball joints because they were 'a little bit stiff ' They could find nothing wrong either so the blame pointed back to the steering box being duff again. It was a gamble but I bit the bullet and got a brand new Adwest 4bolt box and got them to fit it. Ta da! Perfect steering .... Like a dream!! 6 bolt gemmer recon box actually worse than the one I traded it in for, Just relieved and happy to have got it sorted in the end. Thanks all for your help . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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