HELP NEEDED URGENTLY , Wheel wobble,

[Jimbrown]

Discovery 200 tdi had new swivels fitted over the last year new track rod and front link bar panard rod bushes done. was fine up till about a month ago has since developed a severe wobble through the steering even in a straight line itting the slightest hole in the road can set it off the only thing that stops it is braking, it is happening at less and less speeds now and today saw me parking it up till I can get it done. As this is my only mode of transport this is inconvenient to say the least.

Question is after all the bits I have done what is likely to be causing this it is now so bad it almost rips the steering wheel out your hands. I have lifted the wheels off the floor and there doesn't appear to be any play in them

Can anyone help and throw any light as to what the cause could be please.

I would just like to thank all people who replied and really confirmed what I originally thought I think that 5lb on one side and 9lb on the other is probably a litte slack it wasn't a job Iwas looking forward to but it is almost done now.

The bit that eludes me now is my workshop manual, I seem to recall the preload should be between 12 + 14LB resistance each side could anyone confirm this or give the proper weights.

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

Front prop UJ

[electricbluebadger]

Double check your panhard rod for play/loose bolts, sounds very much like it is loose or has some play.

Cheers Steve

[Budgie]

If it's set off by hitting a pot hole then it'll either be wheel bearings or swivel pin preload that needs adjusting.
If you've not checked any of these since you fitted the swivels then they've probably bedded in now and need a slight tweak to take out the slack.
Failing that then get the tracking checked.

[Range Rover Blues]

Been throug a similar problem myself.

From what you have done already, steering damper, wheel dampers, tracking, play in the PAS box, panhard rod loose, failed balljoint.

Possibly wheelbearings, outside chance of a front prop or CV bearing going (sympathetic vibration).

[MuddyMike]

My money (if I were a gambling man) would go on swivel pin bearing pre-load.

Mike

[Disco-andy]

Iv been trough this numerous time and it nearly always turns out to the weel bareings, if you jack each frount wheel and see if there is any play verticly that will tell if it is.  You may just get away with tighting them, but changing them is not a hard job ether.

[electricbluebadger]

When you jack it up Wheel bearings will show up as vertical and horizontal play whereas if its kingpins there will be vertical play only.

Cheers Steve

[Range Rover Blues]

It's worth remembering that the brake calliper will surpress movement in the wheel bearing so check that the pads are well clear before checking, or be prepared to pull hard on the wheel.

Anyway, we'll be at the pub later if you want to join us Jim, bring the patient along too so we can have a look.

[bilge rat]

think i'd check swivell pre load first, then go from there. alan.....

[Jimbrown]

Checked swivel preloads they were miles out but now set correctly but still have a violent wobble it steers straight most of the time but sometimes for no reason other than hitting a small pothole wheel bearings will be the next item on replacement list along with discs but tbh the bearings dont deem to have any play any way, tried panard rod that is solid only changed the bushes a few months ago but checked to be sure they werent duff. if the bearings dont cure it any ideas where to look at next am also thinking of going up to poly bushes when and if they need replacing could bushes on radius arms be a contributing factor to this vibration ????

[greasemonkey]

HI
silly question time
have you had the wheels balanced
as a thrown weight can cause this
especially as braking stops the wobbles
cheers
steve

[Budgie]

Do the wheel bearings, just check for tightness now and make sure there is plenty of grease in there, rather than replacing good bearings.   Check the trackrod ends, if they have any up/down movement or sticky spots on rotation then replace them.
Also check that the steering damper is straight and moves with the same pressure though out the full length of it's travel. If not then get a new one.

With the engine off, check the amount you can move the steering wheel from left to right before the wheels start to move. You should have an inch to two inches of movement (measure from the top centre of the steering wheel) either side of centre.
If you have more then try tightening the steering box a little.

There, that's your work for this weekend sorted. :lol: