I noticed when sitting still, the steering wheel has play in it. It's not noticeable when driving. I can take it up to 80MPH, no wobble, tracks straight. I saw posts about a death wobble with a DI. Does that apply to DII? Is there a checklist I can run down to confirm what the issue might be? Note: I see a note about "play in the small end of the steering rod" in the dealer service notes from previous owner. (Folder full of service records) What's a steering rod? I learned about the Track Rod and Drag Link for the DII from AtlanticBritish.

2nd, what is the norm for DII handling? For a 2003, it really handles like a truck, lots of man handling. When turning (sharp) it won't return to center by itself, I have to crank the wheel back to center. Dangerous when doing a sharp corner and giving it gas. The power steering is working, but maybe not 100%? Typically on a heavy SUV (Buick, Chevy) the PS is very strong compared to this.

3rd, Turning radius SUCKS. I live on a one way street with parking on one side. It's hard just to drive out of my driveway and not hit the far curb. It's about half of any front wheel drive car I've had. Is it as simple as grinding the stops down to 23mm? Should something else be checked? -It's running stock 255/55/18.

I hope I find something so I can get some better control at slow speeds.
Thanks

Reference material from RoversNorth.com

 

FYI - Link for Track Rod and Drag Link info from AtlanticBritish

 

My 03 drives and handles like a Caddy. You could probably find out where your problem is by calling over a friend or 2 so that someone can sit in the car and turn the wheels while 1 or 2 sets of eyes scans all of the steering components. The parts start at the firewall and go all the way to ball joints on the spindle.

Do a search. There is a thread on this not more than 2 months old. About 3 pages worth of info discussing something similar. Key word "death wobble," "ball joints," "steering." You will learn more searching. It's 6-in-1, half-dozen in the other in regards to this topic. But I can tell you that your setup is no where near OK for a factory LR

 

And yes, there is a checklist that you are asking for in the thread I'm talking about

 

Thanks. Good to know that it's not close to normal. Had the wife turn the wheel (engine off, back and forth until it meets resistance) and I couldn't identify just one piece with lots of slot. Just a tiny bit here and tiny bit there.

What about turning radius? Sucky? Does grinding the stops make a big difference?

 

Grinding the stops? I don't know about any of that. Mine feels like I would expect a high end, all wheel drive vehicle to drive. I can still turn it into any parking spot without having to reverse, straighten it out, and such. I can tell you for sure that yours is nowhere close to factory function though. Something is sticking. What does the fluid look like in the reservoir?

 

1. check the complete front end including TRE.
2. could be the steering stabilizer, if its a TF it will never RTC.
3. steering stops come in two sizes i dont remember them off hand.

 

How many miles on the truck? Your steering box internals could be out of spec. There is a procedure which will allow you to tighten up the slack in the box, but I do not recommend it unless you are qualified to carry out the procedure.

 

Yeah! It's a TerraFirma, silver with the big blue boot. The damper would prevent/hinder it from RTC right? I should be able to safely remove it and do a test drive, ya?

Is there a good test for TRE? I saw on the forum someone was squeezing them with big pliers?

Steering Stop Info: From what I read, the stops on the '03 are 29mm because mine doesn't have ACE. You can swap these or grind down to 23mm, which is stock for other models. There is a TSB for it - Tech Bulletin 0026 (CDS Ref. L8867bu).

 

TF dampers are not RTC, throw it out and buy another one.

yes you can swap the steering stops.

can usually tell TRE by feel when rocking them, but i sure there is a test.