Hi,

Looking for some input from D2 folk, especially if modded for offroad.
I've recently aquired a d2 with large AT tyres, lift kit and heavy duty suspension.
First thing I noticed is that the steering is heavy. While i understand (and expect) that its a big heavy truck, it feels a bit too heavy. to the point where i need both hands to turn if i'm pulling away in 1st gear (im a big guy). It gets a bit easier once I pick up some speed.

My daily is an Audi A6 - super light tight steering. My question is, is this due to the tyres and suspension, is this just par for the course for this car or is there a likely common fault thats at play here. The steering feels pretty vague, almost like there is a small deadzone and it doesnt respond until I put a good few degrees of rotation into the wheel, even just keeping it in a straight line is a bit of a challenge.

I've never driven a car with this kind of set up (high suspension and large tyres) so asking other D2 folk how theirs drives.
Any input is welcome.
Thanks

 

Steering stabilizer too heavy duty? Remover the stabilizer to see if it is the cause. If so, then you have to decide what to do from there. Could also be a pump or steering box fault. How much lift? is your geometry funky from the lift or is it OK?

 

I lifted mine 2 inches and then noticed heavy steering. I started with the steering dampener - steering pump - steering box - and even the upper and lower ball joints (what a pain). Getting castor corrected radius arms helped a lot.

 

I would say not normal, I have several lifted trucks with tires ranging from 35's to 265's. None are super heavy, sounds like your ps pump is out.

 

When I first got my D2, I had some really seized up ball joints on one side which made the steering super heavy and the PS pump really worked hard when turning. I thought the box or pump were bad but i checked the wheel in the air with the steering bars disconnected and found one side was super stiff. Would recommend testing that out as well to rule out some bad ball joints.

 

the stabalizer looks standard, no fancy branding or anything, just a standard black one. Think its a 2" lift on it. will need to do some measuring tomorrow. From what I could see it looked like standard radius arms so the geometry might be funky after looking tonight though, theres a couple of things I'll try and replace before the arms.

 

So I checked the lower universal join on the steering shaft it its completely rusted over. I'll take a picture of it tomorrw but that will be getting replaced first then can troubleshoot if theres still more steering issues. from the comments above, it sounds like I might need some caster corrected radius arms as the ones that are on it look stock but its got a fair lift on it.

 

My D2 was smooth as silk on the steering 2 inch lift, 245/70/16 E rated Cooper Discovery tires. I had a terrafirma stabilizer and it was still good.

 

So looks like this will need replacing first:

Lower Steering Shaft Universal Joint Linkage

Has anyone replaced this on their D2? there seems to be a gap for the parts for a 2002 Discovery 2 (pre-facelift).
There is this kit:
https://www.jgs4x4.co.uk/discovery-2...nt-repair-kit/
but in the notes it says: Discovery 2 L318, 2003-2004 from VIN 3A802784 - I'm looking for a 2002 variant.
The official Land Rover site says the linkage i'm looking for is QLC100090 but they don't seem to sell that.
They do sell a Kit - Steering Column Repair which is the same kit (at least the same parts) I linked on the jgs4x4 site, but its only from VIN3A802780 (facelifted disco 2):

anyone know if this will fit onto my D2? has anyone here replaced their steering UJ? if so which parts did you use?

Thanks.

 

You should troubleshoot stuff before you start replacing stuff. That u joint could be toast, but it could be fine too. Doing things like disconnecting the steering link then seeing if the wheels turn easily or not will isolate the problem either to the axle area or to the steering box area. You might save yourself a bunch of money doing this sort of investigating first.