The videos prove it's not in my head.

Is there a system within the car that provides data to the steering, suspension and engine?

I can't get my head round having 3 L322s with all the same symptoms.

Maybe it is some sort of electrical fault that affects all 3 systems, most likely caused by something I've done on all the cars.

I'm only suggesting that you're making life hard for yourself comparing yours to videos unless you're experiencing a distinct driveability issue that must be resolved. L405 D350 SE Carpathian Grey D5 19" rims

I wonder if any forum members near you could let you take their car for a spin so you can compare?

I'm just incredibly frustrated after buying 4 different RRs and them all having the same 3 distinct driveability issues (good name for it)

Steering too heavy
Engine lethargic/laggy
Suspension too hard

I had none of these problems with my original 2009 3.6, I loved it to bits until it too became laggy after a boost pipe split 9 months into ownership but no problems before.

Many are quick to point out it's in my head as I describe all the subsequent cars as having the same issues but how can it be when I've seen videos of people driving them one handed? (At least on the steering front that is)

I don't meant to sound patronising here, is it possible that what others can do with 1 hand you can't?

I know I can drive the tractor we have with 1 hand but my Dad can't, could it be a strength thing for you rather then a car thing?

You seem to have covered everything else so I'm just thinking a bit differently. Please don't take offence.

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior
2013 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Black Edition in Santorini Black with Ebony Interior

No problem David, no offence taken I understand where you are coming from.

I dont tend to nor do I have desire to drive around everywhere one handed however I do recall being easily able to perform parking maneuvers with one hand on the 09 3.6.

Granted that was 7 years ago now however I am in my early 30s with no pre existing conditions that should affect my steering abilities (thankfully)

The laggy drive train and hard ride are other issues unaffected by me other than perception.

Within my family we also have a sport, velar and FL2 all of which I can drive without issue as in I don't find the steering heavy or the engine laggy.

The FL2 rides great, the sport and velar are a bit firm for my tastes but liveable!

So I've had a few weekends off from this.

I bought a bit of loom, connector and some wire so I could bypass all the cars wiring to the servotronic and hook it direct to the battery

(I've done this before but by feeding power in via the big Black connector at the BCM, unplugged from the BCM of course)

The result is the same both ways which means the wiring in the car is OK (this is something else I wanted to check)

Directly powering the servotronic only makes the steering a bit lighter at idle but notably lighter when driving such as going around roundabouts or turning at junctions (almost feels dare I say... normal!)

I'm essentially trying everything else I can think of now before committing to changing the rack (the only thing I haven't changed pretty much) even though the pressure tests say my rack is OK (1750psi observed at both left hand and right hand lock)

I have spoken to a couple of power steering specialist rebuilders and they too agreed the pressures look good. They don't seem to think the problem is in the rack but it's the only thing left.

Its in your head

Zombie, cranberries 1994

i wouldn't be worrying about the drop of oil you found but it dose look to dry to me
there seems to be something in one of the teeth RR 2005 4.4 petrol
Any spelling mistakes are the fault of spellchecker
Previous MG J2, CITROEN light 15 x 2 gone unfortunately
Present MERC 180e, RANGE ROVER L322, JAGUAR XJS, MERC 280SE, MG F, JAGUAR S-Type 6v 2003, jaguar s-type 8v 2004, Ford Cougar

Okay, so you don't think the oil on this side of the rack is a concern?

Yes it was dry, that was a blob of grease in the teeth. It was more like putty in consistency but then it's likely to be 19 years old!

So greasing the rack bar doesn't seem to have done anything.

I've been thinking again about binding of suspension components.

I recall when I was jacking under the lower control arm it caused the hub to bind solid (unable to move at all) and Graeme (I think) explained that this was because of the unnatural way load was being placed on the ball joint jacking from below.

The lower arms were replaced anyway but this train of thought has made me wonder maybe I've got something in there that only binds when the weight of the car is placed on it.

Could a strut top mount bind with the cars weight on it but then be free to turn when the car is jacked up relieving the load? (Suspension in full droop)

Took everything apart again yesterday, the n/s front strut is aftermarket and the top mount bearing is very gritty and round when turned but does turn freely.

Could this be binding with the weight of the car on it?

I've found something else whilst looking into shock absorber top mount bearings.

Both shocks on this car are missing the threaded section to mount the 'mass damper'

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

I have a 4.2sc with the dampers removed from the top of the shocks, makes no difference to the ride quality and isn't noticeable under heavy braking, I suspect that if you don't drive like Lewis Hamilton it wouldn't be noticeable, even then doubtful if you'd know whether they were fitted or not...