Member Since: 24 Jun 2021
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 414
Lower steering column genuine or decent after market ?
I know this has been brought up before but wanted to get as current options as possible. I need to replace the lower steering column as stiff and clunky. So looking at various suppliers and NOT EBay. There seems to be an abundance of different price ranges. Decent aftermarket around £160 or Genuine LR £270. From reading old posts some people have had issues and some not with aftermarket.
Would love to hear what other members have fitted and the results. Cheers 👍
17th Aug 2021 10:51 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4626
Do not fit aftermarket, genuine only!!yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
17th Aug 2021 11:40 pm
Garwood56
Member Since: 24 Jun 2021
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 414
Thanks and will take your advice.
18th Aug 2021 7:22 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20727
There are no decent aftermarket columns, we've tried
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8069
Stiff and clunky with no play? - soak in light oil (diesel) overnight, dry off and give a good soaking in oil, if there’s still no play refit and save your cash
)It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
18th Aug 2021 9:03 am
Garwood56
Member Since: 24 Jun 2021
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 414
I’m getting clunking through the steering wheel over uneven roads, pot holes, small speed bumps etc. Just had all upper and lower front and rear arms, front and rear Arb bushes and drop links, front wheel bearings. So it must be a worn column as there is a bit of play. Need to get this sorted before full Hunter alignment.
18th Aug 2021 6:24 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8069
Have you fitted new inner control rods?It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
18th Aug 2021 7:51 pm
Garwood56
Member Since: 24 Jun 2021
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 414
Sorry forgot to say, yes, new inner tie rods etc all done.
18th Aug 2021 8:26 pm
lake_District
Member Since: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Reading
Posts: 172
I had an after market one (britpart) lasted a few weeks before it showed signs of bad wear, I fitted a genuine lower assembly one after that scare!
19th Aug 2021 5:04 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
I would check for play in the rack by turning the bottom part of the lower column. Its possible you have a worn steering rack. Spending lots of money on a lower steering column may not solve your problem.
The other way to check is to put a pair of mole grips on the steering shaft just before it goes into the rack, turn the steering until the mole grips hit the chassis and get somebody to hold them there while you measure the amount of movement you have at the steering wheel.
If you have excessive movement it will be the lower column if there is little or no free play its the rackAndrew
D3 2.7tdv6 2005
D4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial died and gone to LR heaven
D5 3.0 SDV6 HSE
19th Aug 2021 5:38 pm
Jimbob42
Member Since: 23 Mar 2022
Location: Leicester
Posts: 129
There seems to be a few options? Craddocks offer genuine and also cheaper ones. Anyone had issues with ones from them?
8th May 2022 9:44 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
I would stick with genuine to be on tge safe side.Andrew
D3 2.7tdv6 2005
D4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial died and gone to LR heaven
D5 3.0 SDV6 HSE
9th May 2022 6:16 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8069
Check the clamp bolt is tight that clamps the two shafts together.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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