Steering shimmy and wander on leaf sprung models
Will get worse if left.
Symptoms
Steering wheel shakes or the vehicle wanders across the road, particularly over ruts and at speeds above 40 mph.
Likely cause
Worn swivel pin bushes or bearings, a tired steering relay, worn spring eye bushes, loose U bolts or worn ball joints.
Suggested fixes
Listed roughly in the order most owners try them.
- 1
Rebuild or replace the steering relay
The relay is held in the front chassis cross tube. Remove it, fit a new relay or rebuild kit, set the turning torque and fill it with EP90 oil.
- Difficulty:
- Experienced DIY
- Cost:
- ££ (About £50 to £300)
- 2
Renew leaf spring bushes and shackles
Worn spring eye bushes let the axle steer itself. Replace bushes and shackle pins at both ends, and tighten U bolts to the correct torque.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate DIY
- Cost:
- £ (Under about £50 in parts)
- 3
Adjust swivel pin preload
Use shims to set the swivel pin preload as per the Series workshop manual so the housing turns smoothly with no play.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate DIY
- Cost:
- £ (Under about £50 in parts)
- 4
Check the steering box and ball joints
Adjust the steering box if there is free play at the drop arm, and replace any ball joints with play or split gaiters.
- Difficulty:
- Easy DIY
- Cost:
- £ (Under about £50 in parts)
This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.