I just picked up a pretty neglected 2003 disco 2 a couple months ago with 150k on it. What parts would you recommend replacing on the steering to get it to run like new? Ps cheaper the better due to just about everything needs replacing on it.

 

What symptoms are you observing that indicate steering parts need to be replaced?

 

If it's truly as neglected as you think you'd be better off addressing the cooling system and the brakes before spiffing up the steering. If it can't go or stop then steering is kind of a moot point.

 

Assuming that some other parts/systems like cooling have been sorted than I think step 1 is a power steering fluid "flush." Get an automotive fluid pump and pump out all of the fluid in the reservoir. Replace it with a high mileage power steering fluid and go for a dive around the neighborhood. Do lots of figure eights to really get a lot of turns of the steering wheel in. Park and drain the fluid again and refill. I repeated this process twice before I was satisfied. The fluid should be a bright red and mine was the color of Coca-Cola when I first got it.

 

It’s got a shake to it around 44 when I’m slowing down. And I’m working on the cooling system and brakes already. The powersteering fluid has been flushed. I was just wondering what I should replace before I take I to get it aligned and wheels balanced. Should I replace to ball joints or just if they got play?

 

Check your steering stabilizer too.

 

That shake could be anything from wheel balance, worn suspension parts, stabilizer, old tires, flat spots. If the steering is not making noise and is reasonably smooth, let it be until you sort out the everything else. I would definately tug on all the suspension components and find the worn bits. Could be almost anything on a neglected Rover.

 

Steering is more than the power steering pump. Nothing about the PS pump would cause "It’s got a shake to it around 44 when I’m slowing down."

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the drag link and track bar. The drag link connects the pitman arm on the steering box to the steering knuckle on the opposite side of the truck. The steering stabilizer, which looks like a shock absorber, connects at one end to the drag link and at the other end to the frame. The track rod connects the two steering knuckles so the two wheels turn together. The drag link and track rod both have "ball joints" at each end (aka tie rod ends).

Here's a link to an Atlantic British video about the drag link and track rod.
On my truck, I was noticing looseness in the steering a few years ago. I inspected the drag link and track rod joints and found they were very loose.

It's easy to get under the front of your truck, grab and try to shake each end of the drag link and track rod,

That said, it may be that something else is triggering the shaking, and loose joints are allowing it to be felt more.

And BTW, the only wheel alignment that can be done on the DII is toe in/out. There are no adjustments for caster and camber. There is a lot of DIY information online, including vids, about how to check and adjust to.

 

D2 steering bits are very durable. Have several over 200k on original bits. My guess is your shake is a wheel imbalance. Checking the bits is good practice of course, and you can tighten the slack in the steering box which might be a bit loose on center. Suggest you start with the Rave on checking the slop in the bits.

 

What size wheels and tires? Every D2 I've read about and driven with larger than stock wheels or tires has that exact 40-45 mph shake. New steering stabilizer will help but not completely eliminate it