I just installed a new set of TerraFirma steering rods on my Disco I. So thanks for the help on helping me select those.

Although I measured up the new ones with the old ones the best that I can, It was still way way off...

It is currently on the rack at my local shop getting aligned. They just called me to say that there is play in the drivers side wheel somewhere and said that they could not align it. I asked them to do the best they can and I would accept a "no guarantee" to get it rolling again.

I checked the wheels for play before I did the steering rods, but they seemed pretty solid to me. However, there is some mysterious uneven tire wear from that wheel.

So this is leading to what could be the problem. The bearings are rather new with a recent brake job, so I am leaning towards swivel pins. With that being said, could anyone recommend a rebuild kit? I am hoping someone has put together a kit of required parts, as well as "may as well" parts. I have been looking at the kit from rovafarm.com ( SwivelPinKit06 ).

 

Trying to match old/new rod lengths hardly ever works.

Yes make sure your wheels don't have any play in them before attempting alignment. I'd check the preload on your bearings before assuming it's the swivels.

Aligning a D1 is very simple as there's only one adjustment possible, front toe. Most people can do it at home with one of several methods: tape measure, caliper fixed to end of rod (my favorite), or the string method.

 

I hate the string method... It takes forever to set up and get right. It's pretty good for getting a measurement, but if you get under the car and bump the string, you're screwed...

I've done it before with a piece of 4' angle iron strapped to each wheel. You compare the measurements of the front to the back. It gets you close, but not spot on.

I would consider doing it myself, but my driveway is very uneven and the disco does not fit in the garage... Then I need to make a set of alignment plates and shims etc. By the time I did all that, it's worth the 65 quid just make it someone else's problem.

 

IIRC, top/bottom(12/6) play is swivel pin issues, and left/right(9/3) play is wheel bearings.
Check the left/right first and if there's no play move on to top/bottom.

 

My wheel bearing was shot to hell and it had serious play top to bottom and side to side.

 

Right. But if there's no side to side play, only top to bottom, that would indicate swivel issues.

 

Brett, Bearings are pretty recent. Remember? I think you worked on that wheel lol...

I just picked up the disco, I have not been up to proper speed yet, but I'll be damed if it isn't better than what it was before this project.

Ill jack it up and test it in the morning.

This is probably related.... I bought the disco with relatively new tires on it (I think the tires were worth more that what I paid for it). Some wear started to develop on the inside edge of the drivers side tire. I rotated tires and now see the same wear pattern on the other one. I was hoping that this would solve the problem, but it seems as though something is going on there.

 

There's the problem! Better check your brake lines too..

 

My Brake lines were custom fabricated by Brett himself!

 

I had a quick moment to jack up the Disco and check it out. There is just a bit of play up and down. Oddly it seems to be with the bottom pin which from my understanding the bottom pin is usually OK.