My 2003 discovery when your driving down the road seems to take a lot of back and forth with the steering wheel to keep it driving straight. Its better then my toyota but worse then my pathfinder, is it just a trait of having a solid axle? I looked around underneath and the steering bar in front of the axle seems kind of loose, not super loose but you can grab it and twist it a bit like your trying to rotate it. While the rod behind the axle can not be twisted much at all. Is this my problem or could it be the original shocks and steering stabilizer?
thanks-jon

 

Any suggestions? Oil pump maybe?

 

Did this just start? Tires? Can be many things and the steering rod joints can be one of them. Even tire pressure...or a worn out suspension. Alignment. Steering damper is very likly worn out at that mileage if original. Give us a little more info. If your tires are not to worn or cupped, correct pressure, good alignment you can start ruling out issues.

 

Tire are all even wear, pressure was different in all 4 by as much as 10psi but, I took care of that and still the same driving. I have only had the car for about a week and all suspension parts say land rover and look the part of original. Can that steering shaft in front of axle cause this kind of problem? It seems really easy to twist back and forth by hand, kind of like the tie rods are kind of sloppy.

 

Not sure if this will help....but I was experiencing the same problem last week. I siphoned all the PS/ACE fluid out ot the reservoir, and replaced with new. Drove for 3 days, and siphoned/replaced again. Problem seems to be resolved. The original fluid I took out looked like burnt motor oil, and smelled like it too. Sorry if this doesnt help. -Mac

 

Its worth a try, the fluid looks really old and I do have a power steering leak Im trying to trace down.

 

I just went out and checked mine...and getting them to move is not easy at all. So yes worn suspension and steering parts can cause that. At your mileage I can pretty much assure you the shocks, springs (some sage), and that damper if original are ready for replacement. Because of our solid axles, I think they have more wander than a vehicle with independent suspension. Cheap place to start is the damper, get a OME or terrafirma replacement and start there. Oh..and consider having your local independent Rover shop (not dealership) have a look see. Many times it's a process of elimination. Tell us where in KY and another member may give some advise on a shop to use. Last but not least. Check the nut's on the joints and make sure they are tight. I have seen on here before they can get loose.

 

So, whats a good replacment shock and spring for stock ride height?

 

on a side note, is there a particular place that the power steering pump leaks? Best I can tell it is dripping off the bottom steering linkage, It kind of look like its coming out around the shaft at bottom. Is that a possible location?

 

My truck is lifted, so I can't really recommend anything for stock height, but you might do well to give Will Tillery (roverguy.com), PT Schram (ptschram.com), or Justin at Lucky8LLC.com a call Monday morning. I'm sure they can point you in the right direction for new shocks, and probably sell them to you at a great price too...