Gentlemen,

Yesterday I got really stupid and the result was the Disco fell off the jack stand with the right front wheel off and bent the cross rod tube I think it is called, the one going to the front right steering.

I know it has to be replaced, does anyone have any info or advice other than don't do that again. I won't go into the details but I got careless.

Is it a straightforward R&R . What is involved, do I need any other items or special tools?

All input appreciated.

Danny Lee Dumbass

 

Can you post a pic of what got bent or a link to a new one so we know exactly what you are talking about?

 

Sounds like the track rod.
Don't do that again dumbass

Seriously, mistakes happen, especially when in a hurry.
For home/garage use, get a floor jack and use the bottom of the radius arm as the jacking point. And get a good set of jack stands. Never work under a car on a jack.
I have 3 sets of these, which work well under the chassis:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5227_200305227
And 2 sets of these that work well under the axle tubes:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5225_200305225

Apologies if I stated anything you already know.

 

Is it the tube in the front, or the one with the steering stabilizer on it?

Either one can be bought with the ball joints already attached. I think I got mine for $130 complete from the dealer. The front bar is for the steering wheel adjustment and can be driven, but you wheel will be off, the rear bar is for wheel alignment. If it is bent, you will eat your tires until you replace it.

 

It is the one in the very front. Rovers North has it listed as a steering cross rod for $50 for just the tube.

Is there a procedure for R&R?

 

What condition are your ball joints (tie rod ends) in? If the boots are even slightly cracked, I would do it all at once.

There is a procedure in the Rave manual (in my sig), but it is pretty straight forward. Undo the ball joints from the pitman arm and right steering joint and remove the whole assembly. loosen the retainers and unscrew the ball joints from the ends. Replace in the new drag link.

Remember that you have one RH thread and one LH thread ball joint.

rovah farm has it for $37, and atlantic british has the whole assembly for $100

 

Thanks a ton, I am new to maintaining a Discovery. I have realized I need to treat it more like maintaining military aircraft, do a thorough cleaning and inspection, with a thorough renewal of parts involved. Mine apparently was not well maintained prior to my getting it, as many are.

I think I will go with the whole assembly rather than just replacing the obviously damaged piece. AB sounds like the place to get it. I'll go back to the rave, I printed and cataloged most of it when I first bought a cd when I bought the Discovery. Unfortunately the money tree dried up before I got very far and the Disco sat for a while. I have now resumed and has progressed pretty well. There are still a few things on Mike's 60K list I need to perform.

Thanks to all for your inputs. I will have to add a new line to my Rover God's mantra that I chant prior to beginning work on the beast.

"Rover Gods, please don't let me do any thing stupid while I wrestle with the beast. Please guide me thru the encounter so we may enjoy more good times" And the Trail Prayer: "Just Don't Flip Your Rover Over"
And my newest one: "Be One With Your Rover My Son"

Take care everyone.

 

Search around a little, you can find the standard replacements and after market H.D. replacements, sometime for very little more the OEM.

 

1.

 

You can use a tie rod separator that you can rent from most parts houses.

The front bar is only for steering wheel alignment. you can play with it yourself and not take it to a shop.

Turn one way and it will move the wheel one way. You can leave the clamps loose and drive up and down your street SLOWLY to align it.