Shims??

[chris.hunt22]

You may have heard about all my wandering steering and body vibrations I have been parping on about over the last few weeks, well after trying everything that has been suggested I still have drawn a blank, I put my road wheels and tyres on and have just come back from holiday in it, it has been awful, anything above 65mph and it (intermittantly) shakes and wanders across the lane, it is much worse downhill than uphill.  I had a suggestion the other night which sounds very plausable, I have been told to check the shims on my steering (king pin I presume) and that it will probably need some removing.  Now 2 questions....

What are they, where do I look and how do I adjust them (pictures or links would be helpful)

and 2

It only went like this after a serious off road session, would this affect the shims to the extent that I would have to take some out?

[Defender]

It only went like this after a serious off road session, would this affect the shims to the extent that I would have to take some out?

One possibility is that there is mud stuck to the wheel rims. Give it all a good power-wash & don't forget to get the back of the wheels.

[wizard]

Here is a pic of the shim (#17)& 23


It sounds more like a clump of mud stuck in somewhere more than anything else.

Regards
wizard :twisted:

[Range Rover Blues]

Or a weight missing from the prop.

The shims set what's called steering preload, it's a kind of damping on the steering (oh, check the hydraulic damper too ) that, along with big chunks of metal in various places, absorbs some unwanted vibrations and harmonics.

[bilge rat]

iff you take out about a 5 thou shim then check the pre load. about 14 lbs, when built up. too tight and your steering will be a little stiff and not re centre. as said check for wheel weight or mud on inside of rim first ,.alan.....

[chris.hunt22]

Thanks for the suggestions, I have had different wheels on and still no difference, the shaking is definatley connected with the wandering steering, might have to bite the bullet with this one and my limited mechanicing skills (I am a Coachbuilder by trade!!)  If anyone near me wants some cash I will hapilly pay (Mud Club Mates Rates of course ) for it being sorted out, I have a 2" lift and big BFG mud terrains waiting to go on but I need to get this sorted first   Preloading and king pins and shims are a bit beyond me I think, somebody....please HELP!!

[Range Rover Blues]

I'll do it for beer tokens but I'm not that local.

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

Front propshaft UJ or wheel balancing.  Mine drove like a pig when I first got it (balancing) and then again when the front UJ started to go