Disco Steering Wobble not fixed HELP!!....

[cdr146]

Ok so I have posted here previously regarding a steering wheel "wobble" shake I get at about 65-70 mph when hitting bumps on the freeway. It is intermittent, not constant, but I was told this was due to shot left front wheel bearings. These were replaced, tires rotated, and a 4 wheel alignment done. Go down a freeway, accelerate to around 70, first couple of bumps feel some definite wobble, finally an all out shake after hitting several more bumps. It goes away and seems to not be noticable, I would think nothing was wrong if I didn't go above 60 mph. I am going to check the panhard bushings for myself, but I would like to hear other suggestions or similar problems anyone has had. Many of you have posted before, so I'd like you input again. Appreciate all the help. Thanks.

 

[02Disco2]

Sounds like a worn steering dampner? My previous Jeep experienced the same death wobble and it was due to a worn trac arm.

 

[cdr146]

I was thinking steering damper too...

but supposedly the shop did an entire inspection of the front suspension. It seems like it could be one of several things, but I am definately looking at the steering damper. Thanks for the input...Colin

 

[TurdFerguson]

I third the Steering Damper suggestion. I had the same Death Wobble. Around 60-70 got any little bump and the front end would shake so bad i would have to step on the brakes to decrease to 45mph...i replaced my damper for the OME damper and BARABEEM BARABOOM...Death Wobble Gone!

 

[snodog]

Same here just replaced my damper,big difference.
Death wobble gone.

 

[Ross_Thoma]

Check the beed on the tires I had 3 of 4 seperating on my Truxus MT's and the only way I figured it out was when I decided to rotate my tires and upon inspecting where the rim meets the rubber that I found ripping and seperating rubber and steelbelts. Got new tires and all better.

Look with a light real good and down in behind the rim.

Ross T

 

[ptschram]

The shop that did the work, were they familiar with Rovers?

While everyone is on the bandwagon of steering dampener, the dampener is dampening symptoms, not addressing causes.

Bushings, tire balance, tie rod ends, and probably most likely culprit, swivel preload.

 

[cdr146]

The shop is familiar with Rovers....

They are a Firestone dealer, who also sells auto's on the side, including used Rovers. They have sold serveral Disco's in the past few months. I'm going to try the steering damper, and I'll post my success/failure's on here. Thanks everyone.

 

[WLDKGDM]

Don't forget........

Make sure the front RIGHT wheel bearings are happy too. They should be replaced all at the same time, but most people don't 'cause of $$ reasons or other.

Another thought is, even if the steering damper is replaced, doesn't mean that the steering damper is strong enough to dampen the wobble in your steering if you have larger tires.

Most of the larger, lifted American Steel trucks have a double damper on them because of lift and larger tire size.

Just some things to consider.

Dan

 

[WILL.TILLERY]

this question appears a lot

a dampner normally masks the real issue.
jack the truck one wheel at a time and check the bearings first...if they come out ok then its time to move to step 2
check the preload..you may need to remove some shims on the front.---

last as a side note ...i had a similar issue come in here last week and the cause ended up being a poorly installed steering box...the linkage on the back of the box was stripped and the steering wheel was just barely attached to the linkage...enough to turn but enough to rock back and forth as well.

 

[Jaime]

I have the same damn wobble. I tightened the steering damper nut on the pin end, and it attenuated the feel of the wobble but it's still there. Ihve new ball joint up front, and 1 year old ones on the track rod.

How can you tell that the swivel pin preload is too loose?

 

[Chris-St Louis]

I would swap Radius Arm Bushings. This sounds just like they are worn out.

 

[ptschram]

The last truck I had in the shop that had been to a Firestone shop was in to me to replace the air suspension as they'd lifted it on a two-post lift and eventually burned up the solenoid driver!

 

[Jaime]

I removed a bit less than half the thickness of the shims from the top swivel pins, and the death wobbles are gone!!

It's an easy job, the biggest hassle was getting to one of the bolts because the brake line goes right over it, and I did not want to disconnect the lines and deal with bleeding the brakes. A Gearwrench worked perfectly for that bolt.

 

[jsonova99]

I removed a bit less than half the thickness of the shims from the top swivel pins, and the death wobbles are gone!!

It's an easy job, the biggest hassle was getting to one of the bolts because the brake line goes right over it, and I did not want to disconnect the lines and deal with bleeding the brakes. A Gearwrench worked perfectly for that bolt.

Do you have any pictures or more detail to what you did? I have this same problem

 

[Jaime]

Sorry, no pics... my truck is a D1, so it would not apply to a D2 (which I'm assuming from your sig is what you have)

 

[TobyS]

Jaime,

Can you tell me how you knew the correct amount of shim to remove, or do you just try a couple times?

Also, does the car need to be in the are (weight off the hub) for this or anything?

Thanks! I just replaced my steering dampener and solved nothing.

As an aside (not really), the rod the dampener attaches to (I think it is the "Track Rod"?) feels relatively loose - it moves without a lot of trouble if i try to twist it. I though that was by design - is that not the case?

Thanks much!

 

[DiscoJen]

Check the torque on those tie rod ends. Tighten those castellated nuts up real snug then be sure to install a new cotter pin to keep them from backing off. Also check the tightness of the bolts on each end where the adjuster clamp thingies are. If you still have play at the tie rod end level, then you more than likely need to tie rod ends.

They aren't difficult or expensive to replace, but can be a real pain in the rear due to seizing.

Keep at it and good luck,
Jen

 

[jonathan_kelly]

Deffinately check the condition of your Swivel bearings and pre-load setting. I had a similar problem with with my D1 200tdi. On investigation the left hand swivel housing had no grease in and the bearings were shot. I had a garage do the first swivel housing, (new housing, bearings, & CV joint, seals etc) and a couple of months later I did the right hand swivel housing myself. The hardest part of the job was removing the old swivel housing as the bolts are glued into the axle. I followed the workshop manuals instructions for setting the preload with no problems.

Cheers
Jonathan