Member Since: 27 Oct 2019
Location: Somerset
Posts: 48
Steering rack play
Hi all! Been having constant issues with my steering.
All started with the steering being stiff/like no power steering when starting up from cold and required quite a bit of muscle to turn the wheel before the power steering would kick in, once it kicked in no issues for the rest of the drive.
I flushed the fluid fully but little to no difference in behaviour, and not sure if it’s a coincidence but seems to be more of an issue when it’s been raining?
Fluid level never drops
During the summer the issue has mostly gone away, no idea why.
Now I have another problem, about 5-10 degrees of play in the steering, I checked the lower steering shaft and found play in the telescopic section so I changed that, but now I have play in the rack/pinion area, the inner and outer tie rod joints are not moving I’ve checked, and I thought I’d have a go at tightening this nut for the backlash eliminator…
It was very loose, but even fully tight it has made no difference to the play in the steering, I have now backed it off a little as i understand there may be a spring behind it pushing on the backlash eliminator.
The previous owner had the steering rack changed literally a year and 3 months ago, so annoyingly it is no longer under warranty but how can a genuine rack be that bad so quickly? Is there something I’m missing?
25th Aug 2022 5:14 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2957
Do JLR parts not come with a 2-year warranty?Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
25th Aug 2022 5:18 pm
Ollie795
Member Since: 27 Oct 2019
Location: Somerset
Posts: 48
I’m not sure but this was fitted by an independent garage and I enquired and they said they only supply a 1 year warranty annoyingly!
25th Aug 2022 5:29 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8256
Yes regardless of who fitted the component as I understand, but proof of purchase is needed.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
25th Aug 2022 5:32 pm
Ollie795
Member Since: 27 Oct 2019
Location: Somerset
Posts: 48
Ok thanks, the rack has a land rover badge cast into it so I assume it’s genuine, and hopefully bought through Land Rover, I’ll get hold of the company and see if they did.
Any thoughts on the lack of power steering on cold start up? Is my pump possibly on the way out?
25th Aug 2022 6:51 pm
Dazz360
Member Since: 03 Sep 2016
Location: West Mids Walsall
Posts: 875
I’d say your pump is causing the issues and the rack I’ve changed my rack before with a re manufacturer and it’s been great very good price tooMetal auto sump & fluid change (3 hrs)
LR door puddle projectors (10 mins)
Tinted Bonnet wind deflector (10 mins)
All Intercooler pipes and Tbolts (2hrs)
3 injectors replaced so far (30mins)
Sunroof drain pipes both sides 2.5 hrs)
Rear discs, shoes,pads,callipers,flexi hoses, rigid brake line, n/s upper hub carrier bush and rear n/s upper arm (13hrs over 2 days)
26th Aug 2022 8:12 pm
Harry365
Member Since: 25 Aug 2018
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 387
The land rover badge doesn't necessarily mean it's a land rover rebuild. I recommend Western Power Steering for a replacement rack. I had two fail, one DOA and one within a week or so from other unknown suppliers. WPS still good. Maybe about 15k into it now.
27th Aug 2022 9:00 am
Dazz360
Member Since: 03 Sep 2016
Location: West Mids Walsall
Posts: 875
Try these, https://www.lionautomotive.co.uk/product/l...ering-rack
Read my post on power steering rack and half shaft changeMetal auto sump & fluid change (3 hrs)
LR door puddle projectors (10 mins)
Tinted Bonnet wind deflector (10 mins)
All Intercooler pipes and Tbolts (2hrs)
3 injectors replaced so far (30mins)
Sunroof drain pipes both sides 2.5 hrs)
Rear discs, shoes,pads,callipers,flexi hoses, rigid brake line, n/s upper hub carrier bush and rear n/s upper arm (13hrs over 2 days)
28th Aug 2022 8:32 pm
justasilverV8
Member Since: 16 Nov 2023
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 7
Did you ever get to the bottom of this? Mine is behaving the same way
11th Feb 2025 11:52 am
Dazz360
Member Since: 03 Sep 2016
Location: West Mids Walsall
Posts: 875
I changed the steering rack and it’s still good with the recon address aboveMetal auto sump & fluid change (3 hrs)
LR door puddle projectors (10 mins)
Tinted Bonnet wind deflector (10 mins)
All Intercooler pipes and Tbolts (2hrs)
3 injectors replaced so far (30mins)
Sunroof drain pipes both sides 2.5 hrs)
Rear discs, shoes,pads,callipers,flexi hoses, rigid brake line, n/s upper hub carrier bush and rear n/s upper arm (13hrs over 2 days)
11th Feb 2025 1:16 pm
HairyFool
Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: North Essex
Posts: 725
My rack was replaced by the selling dealer before we bought it. Developed the same play after the dealer warranty had expired but they sent me the original supplier invoice for the remanufactured rack which had a 3 year warranty so tried to contact them. From eBay at around £300 but no longer trading
My local indie would only provide a 1 year warranty if it came from LR (with their warranty), they only give 90 days for workmanship otherwise. Given my experience I can't blame them.
I didn't realise how much work I was doing to keep the Disco on track, especially when towing. It is an absolute pleasure to drive now.
There are some distinct similarities between the original rack invoice's wording and a current eBay seller advert but a different business name, suspect they are the same ones back in the business.A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an is still an EV. Strictly speaking its SWMBO.
11th Feb 2025 3:05 pm
Dazz360
Member Since: 03 Sep 2016
Location: West Mids Walsall
Posts: 875
Have you checked the lower steering joint for movement? It is hardly noticeable but where the bolt tightens it can get loose thereMetal auto sump & fluid change (3 hrs)
LR door puddle projectors (10 mins)
Tinted Bonnet wind deflector (10 mins)
All Intercooler pipes and Tbolts (2hrs)
3 injectors replaced so far (30mins)
Sunroof drain pipes both sides 2.5 hrs)
Rear discs, shoes,pads,callipers,flexi hoses, rigid brake line, n/s upper hub carrier bush and rear n/s upper arm (13hrs over 2 days)
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