Right, wee problem.

I have a late 2010 TD4 Manual with 30k on the clock. I have had it for just under 3 months. The steering has always felt "firm" but having never driven another FL2 I have nothing to compare it to. When parking it is a fair bit stiffer, but still not problematic. I have noticed that om full lock, it sounds like something is really working hard. Again I have nothing to compare this to.

My wife has commented that she thinks it is very heavy.

I have the LR extended warranty but note that things that suffer wear are not covered. It specifically mentions "including steering parts".

I called my local LR dealer who are happy to look at it bit charge a £117+VAT diagnostic fee which I would be liable to pay if there was no issue or if the warranty didn't cover the issue found.

I know the reservoir can be changed which looks straight forward but I think I would void the warranty If I did that myself.

So has anyone had steering issues sorted under extended warranty? Should I get it checked or is a different sound at full lock normal?

Thabks

On my car the steering is very light (too light really) and when parking I can easily spin the wheel with the flat of my hand. It's also pretty silent unless I actually hold the wheel against the stop, when it makes a bit of a noise, but not what I'd call sounding like it's working really hard. So it sounds as though you may have a problem.

There have been some issues with filters blocking up, and also with faulty welding causing spatter particles to get into the works, so it may be worth getting it checked before any more serious damage is done.

Thanks. Not really what I wanted to hear. To be clear though, the noise is when the steering wheel is on full lock/stop and not before. There is no knocking which I believe was the symptom of the weld splatter plus that was in older vehicles was it not?

Just a bit irked at £117+VAT on a 3 month old (to me) car especially if then isn't covered by what I thought was a good warranty. Would go back to the other dealer but they are a fair distance away and I look after my kids full time so not practical.

sounds like blocked filter..did mine for about £50
new reservoir and 2l of fluid

And this is the thing, I'm happy to do that, but I may mess up my 9months of warranty by doing so. Assuming they knew.

Do you *have* to have the front wheels off the ground when doing it, as the how to thread suggested? I have no access to axle stands or ramps.

Thanks.

did mine with 2 jacks ..you do not have to go under
the vehicle..On warranty, if steering parts are not
covered how does it invalidate whoever does the job

Don't have 2 jacks either. Can it be done with all 4 wheels on ground?

Hi had my 57 car now on 50000miles i had new filter and oil changed at 25000 miles as a precaution by Harwoods landrover brighton for about £60 also oil changed again on last service and so no problems.
Harwoods told me that the new filter is a modified one from the original 57 reg GS leather seats panoramic sun roof
Nazca sand side step rails chrome grille and mirrors

Interesting. Seems very cheap!

Called the LR warranty people and explained situation. He felt reservoir issues would be covered and he commented that there are known issues with the Freelander power steering so that's promising.

Hi again, see your reply seems cheap, dug out the receipt which dates back to April 2012, bill was as follows new reservoir £10.90 power assisted fluid£8.16 labour total £69.04+ vat total bill £82.85 57 reg GS leather seats panoramic sun roof
Nazca sand side step rails chrome grille and mirrors

Reasonable indeed!

Right, just been out to the car to take a proper look. First off, unless I really press hard, mu wheel isn't turning using the palm of my hand (when stationary).

I put it hard lock and sods law - couldn't hear any noise...

After watching a vid on YouTube about changing reservoir, I see that the oil was a nice red clear colour. Mine is black - looks like engine oil. Is that normal?

Really want to try and figure out if there is actually anything wrong before I throw away £100+.

Thanks

If you are having difficulty turning the wheel with the palm of your hand when stationary you already have something wrong. When I first drove the Freelander 2 the big difference to my 07 Passat was the super light steering!
With my dealer, I have in the past dropped in on spec to enquire about a possible fault and a technician took it for a quick test drive, identified a small tweak was required, took it in the workshop and fixed it there and then. All no charge. (Duckworths Market Rasen) 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Sadly my dealer claimed they would need it for a few hours. I can't do that without a temp car due to looking after kids, so first time they can give me a car is a few weeks away.