Land Rover Series 3
Discussion
I'm now the proud owner of a 1972 S3 which I enjoy free road tax for - which, as you can imagine, is a wonderful feeling!!!
One annoying thing is the amount of play in the steering. I expected some play, but the car wanderes from left to right and vice versa at random according to the road conditions and is very difficult to drive even at 30 mph!
Is there any way I can improve on this (before the wife drives it and condemns it for good)? I thought my 200TDi Disco was bad but this is ridiculous!
Thanking you all!!
ps I would put a photo on if I could work out how to do it!
One annoying thing is the amount of play in the steering. I expected some play, but the car wanderes from left to right and vice versa at random according to the road conditions and is very difficult to drive even at 30 mph!
Is there any way I can improve on this (before the wife drives it and condemns it for good)? I thought my 200TDi Disco was bad but this is ridiculous!
Thanking you all!!
ps I would put a photo on if I could work out how to do it!
cpas said:
I'm now the proud owner of a 1972 S3 which I enjoy free road tax for - which, as you can imagine, is a wonderful feeling!!!
One annoying thing is the amount of play in the steering. I expected some play, but the car wanderes from left to right and vice versa at random according to the road conditions and is very difficult to drive even at 30 mph!
Is there any way I can improve on this (before the wife drives it and condemns it for good)? I thought my 200TDi Disco was bad but this is ridiculous!
Thanking you all!!
ps I would put a photo on if I could work out how to do it!
You lose a certain amount of play by adjusting the steering box.If that doesnt work then you may need a new box plus steering idler. One annoying thing is the amount of play in the steering. I expected some play, but the car wanderes from left to right and vice versa at random according to the road conditions and is very difficult to drive even at 30 mph!
Is there any way I can improve on this (before the wife drives it and condemns it for good)? I thought my 200TDi Disco was bad but this is ridiculous!
Thanking you all!!
ps I would put a photo on if I could work out how to do it!
I was always told to not really "hold onto" the steering wheel, if that makes sense.
Someone else also told me that to a certain extent there needs to be a degree of play on the old models so you don't get a broken arm when the front tyres hit bumps offroad.
Trying to compensate for play in the steering whilst driving is futile and you'll end up looking like you're driving the preverbial playschool bus.
Someone else also told me that to a certain extent there needs to be a degree of play on the old models so you don't get a broken arm when the front tyres hit bumps offroad.
Trying to compensate for play in the steering whilst driving is futile and you'll end up looking like you're driving the preverbial playschool bus.
cy88 said:
w1how said:
If you think a series 3 is bad then try a series 1.Ive travelled at silly speeds in all kinds of crazy vehicles but 65mph on the motorway in the s1 with the canvas tilt removed was easily the most frightening!
, although I'm amazed you got one past 40 
The indicator was flapping wildly so 65 is an estimate!!
Hi,
there should be a certain amount of free play (about a quarter to a third of a turn I'd suggest) at the steering wheel rim - after all, the steering box is worm and nut and the linkage has six ball joints. However, it should not be difficult to keep the vehicle in a straight line, even at motorway speeds. I suggest you check the following:
Tyres - correct pressure, same size and no uneven wear on both front wheels.
Track-rod ends - get a helper to gently rock the steering wheel (until the wheels just begin to move) then check for free-play in joints at each end of - the track-rod (front of axle, links each side)
drag link(left hand axle to relay in front crossmember)
relay link(steering box to relay) rods.
If any of these joints are worn, replace them. Be absolutely certain that you fit the correct new joint (there are LH and RH threads, one at each end) and that the link you are fitting it to is not corroded or otherwise damaged.
Steering relay - top it up with oil.
Steering box - top it up with oil.
Get the tracking checked (I set mine so the wheels are parallel but the Series vehicles should have a small amount of toe-in
If in doubt about the above get a Haynes manual from the local library - there are plenty of instructions and photos to help.
Steering - it's what keeps you out of the hedge!
100SRV
there should be a certain amount of free play (about a quarter to a third of a turn I'd suggest) at the steering wheel rim - after all, the steering box is worm and nut and the linkage has six ball joints. However, it should not be difficult to keep the vehicle in a straight line, even at motorway speeds. I suggest you check the following:
Tyres - correct pressure, same size and no uneven wear on both front wheels.
Track-rod ends - get a helper to gently rock the steering wheel (until the wheels just begin to move) then check for free-play in joints at each end of - the track-rod (front of axle, links each side)
drag link(left hand axle to relay in front crossmember)
relay link(steering box to relay) rods.
If any of these joints are worn, replace them. Be absolutely certain that you fit the correct new joint (there are LH and RH threads, one at each end) and that the link you are fitting it to is not corroded or otherwise damaged.
Steering relay - top it up with oil.
Steering box - top it up with oil.
Get the tracking checked (I set mine so the wheels are parallel but the Series vehicles should have a small amount of toe-in
If in doubt about the above get a Haynes manual from the local library - there are plenty of instructions and photos to help.
Steering - it's what keeps you out of the hedge!
100SRV
Edited by 100SRV on Saturday 28th April 07:57
U think yours wanders? try mine , well it did, widening the tyres giving u a bigger foot print on the road helps, a stiffer steering damper and nice heavy duty oil filled shocks, landys have heavy spring packs and they are a fairly rigid beast, really made for a purpose and that wasnt bitumen roads, these are becoming very old now and things are wearing so rebuilding the steering box and fitting new tie rod ends and rebushing the springs and all other bushed components with nolathane will harden it up, u cant have the best of worlds with a series landy, either sloppy and wander or tight shake your brains on every bump, u have to find a medium that u can tolerate, a smaller steering wheel with a thick rim will help too.
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