Has anyone used an eBay or reproduction quality lower steering shaft replacement for their LR3/LR4?

Part number:

LR071147

Wondering if it's worth spending 4-5x as much on the OEM one when it's a pretty basic functioning part...however being that it is your steering, maybe stick to OEM? Thoughts?

 

Been running this one in the 07 for a couple months now no issues.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RANGE-ROVER...gAAOSwEr1ct1XM

 

I know of two cases on this forum where an aftermarket lower shaft was an issue. You can always risk it and replace again at a later time if need be. If not, then all the better. I do wish they came with some sorta silicone boot over the joint - wonder if one can be found that would fit? Might help keep the joint in good shape.

 

I replaced the lower steering shaft on my D3 this time last year because the UJ had seized. Ever since I've been having problems with the steering wandering, especially at speed on the motorways and 2" (50mm) 5º slack in the steering wheel.

Just as many who've had steering problems have done, I went through the system bit by bit and changed just about everything that I found with even a slight defect eg; track rod ends, inner ball joint on the steering rack and just last week the steering rack itself. All this was to no avail as there was still wandering and slack in the steering wheel. So yesterday (Sunday) I resolved to start at the steering wheel and work through the system to find the problem. Airbag off steering wheel nut checked, intermediate steering rack joints checked, all good. To see the lower steering shaft I used a borescope to see the UJ. I nearly missed it, a slightly abnormal movement in the joint, by that I mean the movement did not quite match the movement of the steering wheel it was just off and I really had to concentrate and do a double, treble even quadruple take, but there was no doubt something was wrong. So off came the shaft and only then did I put a finger on the problem.

This is NOT, to quote gypsy "a pretty basic functioning part", it's a collapsible part of the steering column and this is were the steering slack stems from i.e. 5º slack between the inner and shaft components.

Where is this all going? you may be wondering. Well what I haven't mentioned yet was that the shaft I fitted last year was EO or OEM, certainly not genuine and when I visited my indi' for a replacement I checked for slack in the new one and low and behold there it was about 2º slack. They had a genuine one in stock so I asked to see it for comparison, nothing, nada not even a hairs breadth of movement. So despite an extra $69 on top of the original $260, I took the genuine one and fitted it this morning. What a difference no steering wandering just precise accurate turning as good if not better than new.

So after all that what I'm saying is GO GENUINE it's better and safer in the end.

 

Mine is nice and tight on the 07