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Sus (Susannah)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 04:12 pm: | 
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Okay, so I took Orea in today to get an oil change, have the brakes checked and a 'squeal' diagnosed. As I thought...I'm going to need new brake pads in about 3000 miles and that's what my noise is from. BUT, in addition to that, the mechanic noticed the 'pop' that I have in my steering. I asked once before on the BB about this and was told that my panhard rod needed to be adjusted, but alas, couldn't seem to figure out what that was without any sort of manual...so I've left it as it is.
The service people called it a 'Pittman Rod' and said it has quite a bit of slack in it and needs to be replaced, not adjusted. They told me they could get the part from a dealer (this is not a Land Rover dealer, but BMW and Mercedes, etc) for about $256.
So, to get to my point. What the heck is the pittman rod, is it the same as the panhard rod, and should I pay this much to have it replaced or maybe wait until MAR and have one you guys look at it?! |
Gregory W. Davis (Gregdavis)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 04:19 pm: |
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To me, the Pittman arm would be the drag link. It's the bar that goes from the steering box (D/S of frame) over to the P/S front wheel and moves when you turn your steering wheel.
The Panhard rod goes from the D/S frame down to the P/S of the front axle. If the noise sounds like a spring releasing, then it's the Panhard.
If it's driving OK, wait until MAR and I'd be happy to look at it for you. |
Greg P. (Gparrish)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 04:21 pm: |
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Yeah, Sus, wait until MAR and some of us guys will check you out 
gp |
Sus (Susannah)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 04:26 pm: |
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Thanks Greg. It does sound a bit like a spring releasing...but a pop is a pop! It really only happens at low speeds and usually when breaking and turning at the same time (ie: slowing down to yield and make a right turn in one instance). They told me it was fine to drive....but not necessarily on a cross-country trip. I'm making a 6 hour trip (one-way) this weekend...and hope it doesn't get worse! But after this, she will probably be sitting in the driveway until MAR. I think I can wait until then and hopefully have you look at it!
I need to purchase a manual so I can identify these parts...though the Rover Connection website helps immensely! |
Paul L
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 04:44 pm: |
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Try this website. It's got the pitman arm for $48.00. Don't waste your money at the dealer's. They ship very quickly. http://catalog.thepartsbin.com/ |
Paul T. Schram (Paulschram)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 04:55 pm: |
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Isn't the pitman arm the drag link (the bar that comes off of the sector shaft on the power steering gear box)? I think I'd consider replacing the ball joints at the ends of the cross tube, before I replaced the tube. There really should be no reason to replace the tube other than if you have bent it or want one that is reinforced. The drag link (or drop arm) shouldn't need to be replaced this soon.
Back to the ball joints, are they tight (can you rotate the cross tube easily?) are the boots intact? |
Sus (Susannah)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 05:02 pm: |
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It's all Pauls and Gregs on this thread!
GP-You guys can check me AND my rover out....um...and my FIANCE too!
Paul L-thanks for the link.
Paul S.-how can I check the ball joints? And are these 'tubes' visible if I get under the front? I just want to see it for myself! |
Peter Carey (Pcarey)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 05:17 pm: |
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Sus,
Scootch under vehicle from the front, head first. See the bar right before the front differential? That's the drag link. Push back and forth and all around. You can tell if some thing doesn't feel right.
Now scootch under the dif. See the bar going all the way from wheel to wheel behind the dif? That's the track rod. It should have what looks like a shock absorber on it. Wiggle it.
As noted, if something's broken it's probably the balls, not the rod itself. The rod is just that, a long rod with threads on the ends to accept the linkage to the wheel. Might be the steering dampener (that shock thing) also.
pwc |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 06:58 pm: |
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red arrow to drag link, panhard is behind drag link (closer to diff)
wrench is on the tie rod aka track rod
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Mark Smith (Msmith)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 07:26 pm: |
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Sus,
I would try replacing the ball joints on the end of the rod first. My steering was popping like yours and the ball joints did the trick...just make sure you replace them in pairs (i.e., both ends of the rod). You should not pay more than $60 for both, even from the higher priced sources online. The rod (tube) itself should not be bad unless you've hit something recently.
Mark |
Mark Smith (Msmith)
| | Posted on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 07:30 pm: |
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oh yeah, you will have to realign your steering wheel after replacement. Make sure the wheels are straight ahead and do not move the steering wheel or the drop arm while it is disassembled. This will keep your steering wheel from being misaligned too much. |
Sus (Susannah)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 09:22 am: |
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Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! I'll get under her tonight and see what I find...although my novice 'eyes' may not know what I'm looking at...the pictures really help though! Thanks Blue!
Mark, thanks for the suggestions on the ball joints. I'll look into that as well. Like I said, I may have to wait until MAR to have one of you guys diagnose it for me and then get the correct parts ordered. |
Jay Hobbs (Jayxd)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 11:30 pm: |
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I had a pop when turning left at slow speeds. It got worse after an off-road trip a few weeks back and I could duplicate the pop turning the wheels full to the right, then back left, just as they passed center - POP! Tightened panhard rod and no more popping. |
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