Steering Alignment

[Ian_Fearn]

I've got a 95 300tdi defender 90 and i'm struggling to get the thing to drive straight.

I've recently had the wheels balanced, new steering arms, lemforder ball joints and a bilstein steering damper. I've had it tracked at a local place that has a good rep within the performance car forums.

After having it tracked it was awful. I ended up tweaking it myself at home. Its always pulling towards the centre of the road.

I've had it 3 years and its the only defender I've driven so I cant say if they're all like it. Is tracking something of a specialist job on something with a steering box?

[Retroanaconda]

Should be 0 to 2mm toe out on the steering (0° to 0° 20’). Any place should be able to do it really, though somewhere with some experience of 4x4s or light commercials might be more suited as they may have more experience of steering box equipped vehicles.

I usually set mine using the string method, which isn't as accurate as lasers but can be pretty damn close. I generally get the garage to check and fine-tune it when it goes in for an MOT, but they rarely have to.

[Litch]

I would say that they have just set it up wrong, in actual fact adjusting the tracking on a Defender is very quick & simple especially using the correct equipment but if they have used the wrong figures then that will be the problem.

I have owned several LR's over the past 25+ years and driven many others and they only steer badly if components are worn or if maintenance is lacking. Anyone who says that constant corrections to the steering are just part of LR ownership is talking rubbish and just lazy. I fully admit that there are many links to the chain and that even slight wear in just a couple of those components can make a big difference but it is just down to carrying out basic maintenance that keeps it right.

My current 90 (owned 14-years) has only had the tracking adjusted 3-times and that was after replacing components like TRE's etc however I have the tracking checked regularly at Just Tyres (free checks, you pay £29.99 only if adjustment is required). I can say with hand on heart that the steering is tight and precise with no play present or steering correction required when driving.

I did once have the tracking adjusted at my local garage but afterwards it didn't feel "quite right" so I went along to JT who discovered that the tracking was very slightly out, some would say not enough to cause any worry but as the vehicle normally steered so well it was not something I was willing to put up with. Needless to say all was well afterwards and I got a refund from the local place.

Another reason to have the tracking set up correctly (other than decent steering) is to reduce tyre wear. Many years ago on my old S111 I set the tracking at home and it didn't take long to realise that I was scrubbing the tyres and causing premature tyre wear, I had the tracking set correctly and the wear rate reduced dramatically.

[rick]

Should be 0 to 2mm toe out on the steering (0° to 0° 20’). Any place should be able to do it really, though somewhere with some experience of 4x4s or light commercials might be more suited as they may have more experience of steering box equipped vehicles.

I usually set mine using the string method, which isn't as accurate as lasers but can be pretty damn close. I generally get the garage to check and fine-tune it when it goes in for an MOT, but they rarely have to.

I reckon a string line is as accurate as a laser.

Hell, most all race cars are still strung, even in the top line pro series with insane budgets.

As you said, the secret to a full time 4WD Landy is 0-2mm toe OUT.

Most steering shops still set them with toe in.......

[Snagger]

I agree with all that has been said above, but would add just one more question - is the vehicle standard? If it has raised suspension or oversize wheels/tyres, then handling problems will result. It's also worth inspecting all the suspension bushes.

[potato head]

Do both the tyres have the same wear? When i had a flat on the front I put on my barely legal spare and the stearing was awful.

[Meatslicer]

One other thing that may have a bearing (!) is binding brakes. If its steering into the middle of the road maybe the off side brakes ar sticking. I had something like this happen after a service where the pads were checked but the calipers were sticking.

Just a thought.

Eric

[nickwilliams]

Try taking the steering damper off and see if that makes a difference.

Nick.