There is an interesting post over on RangeRovers.net that continues the long running topic of vibration, larger wheels and replacing steering racks.
http://www.rangerovers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4544

Might be of interest to anybody considering bigger than standard issue wheels 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Just had a new steering rack fitted and got it under warranty. Made one hell of a difference!

Geordiehillbilly wrote:

Just had a new steering rack fitted and got it under warranty. Made one hell of a difference!

I've got the TD with 20" LR alloys same as the one in the forum banner

Geordie,
did you put the twentys on your self and if you did was the rack changed with them on. Its out there somewhere. Second V10 Treg on the drive at the moment.

Biggles,

Dealer fitted new wheels and tyres but I had the vibrations even with the factory 19" wheels. The dealer told me that as the car was literally one of the first ones off the line the rack wasn't "damped" (news to me!) so couldn't handle the bigger wheels. Later models (he did tell me the chasis numbers but I've forgot) should be ok. I only got the rack fitted two weeks ago and it has made one hell of a difference. Still pulls to the left but getting wheels aligned on Thursday.

to all,

first sorry for my bad English language.

I have one of the first RRS in Germany, and I have also vibrations between
100 - 130km/h. I already changed tires without any changes.

I found out, that there is two different steering rack's for RRS installed. I have the undampened version.

Now my question, is it my right to go at my dealer ask for the dampened version of steering rack fitted into my car to get my problems solved?

I hope everybody understood what I mean.

Last edited by caussi on Wed Jan 11 2006 12:43pm. Edited 1 time in total

Hi caussi'

See posts from RRUK he has covered this in detail. You may simply need a full 4 wheel alignment check... which your dealer should do first befor thinking its the steering rack/column. This appears to have cured most peoples problems with this.

Best of luck 
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "

Hi Martin

Have just discussed this matter with my dealer yesterday and it was confirmed that 20" wheels cannot (should not) be used on a TDV6 without also having a new steering rack fitted, which alone would cost about CHF 4000 (~UK£ 2500) !!!!

I am getting pretty confused now and need reliable advice from you experts.

Thanks,
Roland

HHmmm

If you go on the UK LR website and biuld your car - its is possible to spec a 2.7D with the Dynamic pack which includes 20" wheels , this available on any car now ( except when fitted as standard to the supercharged ) However it does not specify if this includes a different type of steering rack?

I am sure I read/heard elsewhere that LR were aware of steering rack issues and now fit the same rack to all models.

I would contact the LR Factory direct or go and visit your service technician quote your chasis number, check the steering rack fitterd to your car abd compare it to one that is fitted to a supercharged - parts will be able to tell you the same information as well. 
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "

It's a shame that LR don't have all their ducks in a line with regard to this information. I can't imagine that specifying the DR pack with your car means they change the steering rack at the factory - it's not good manufacturing practice to have the choice of two production components when you could have one. Like MDP, I thought it was only the early RRSs out of the factory that had the undamped steering racks and therefore couldn't support the 20in wheels without vibration effects. I believe all RRSs coming out of the factory today have damped steering racks and therefore can have 20in wheels fitted without any issue.

There are service bulletins about both 20in wheel installation and steering vibrations. There is a post here somewhere from RRUK where he lists all the current GTR docs.... 

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Technical Service Bulletin
No.LS204-001v3
22 September 2005
Reissue
Please replace the previous edition of this bulletin.

This bulletin supersedes TSB LS204-001v2/2005 dated 22 August , which should either be destroyed or clearly marked to show it is no longer valid (e.g. with a line across the page).

Subject/Concern : Range Rover Sport - 20 Inch Wheel Installation

Models :
Range Rover Sport (LS) Vin range : 5A900505-6A917472


Markets : All

Section : 204-04

Summary :
20 inch wheels installed to a vehicle not originally built with this wheel size, may lead to customer concern of steering shimmy and steering 'pull' under heavy braking.

This bulletin has been re-issued to correct the closing VIN.

Cause : 20 inch road wheels can only be installed to vehicles which have a damped steering gear. Some non-supercharged vehicles do not have a damped steering gear.
Action : Should a customer request a 20 inch wheel installation, refer to the Service Information detailed in this bulletin.




Service Information
NOTE : 20 inch wheels must only be installed to vehicles with a damped steering gear.


Range Rover Sport has been manufactured with two types of steering gear, damped and non-damped.

Vehicles manufactured with 20 inch wheels are built with a damped steering gear.

Vehicles manufactured with 17, 18 and 19 inch wheels may have either a damped or non-damped steering gear.

If 20 inch wheels are to be installed to a vehicle not manufactured with 20 inch wheels, the vehicle must be examined to determine if it has a damped steering gear.

1 . The illustration shows A, a non-damped steering gear and B, a damped steering gear.




2 . The steering gear can be inspected from the wheelarch area to determine its type.

 L319 D4 HSE

1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF

1982 Series 3 SWB

Last edited by RRUK on Thu Jan 12 2006 10:58am. Edited 1 time in total

Actually I have mentioned the fact that on UK LR's website all cars can now be specified with the Dynamic pack which does include the 20" wheels.

Funny enough the Swiss RRS brochure/price list also offers Dyanmic pack as option but without the 20" wheels! BTW it still is the original/launch price list dated June 2005 and there hasn't been a new one out yet.

My car ordered back in August will only be built this February, so there is hope that it will have the new steering rack as standard.

Any idea how and who to contact at the factory to make sure?

Roland

I have just spoken to LR cust.serv on 08705 000500 & spoke to a lady who had to go and ask someone else the question. On return she informed me that not all models are fitted with the DAMPED STEERING GEAR. I would suggest you contact them direct - tell them what you have ordered and see what they say.

Best of luck  
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "

Excellent Martin, I'll do that ! And many thanks for the help.

What would we do without you and this forum..........

Roland