Shudder on steering when cornering

[stewie110]

Hello,

I have been reading other threads that mention steering shudder/wobbles on a 110 Defender. However nothing matches the exact symptoms that I have been having.

I have started to get a strange shudder through the steering when I am going around corners.. It feels as death wobbles like.. However not all corners.

The symptoms is that often when going down hill and turning it will give me a shudder. Sometimes it's initiated by a small bumb in the road during the corner.. other times it just seems to happen. It doesn't appear to be brake related which was my first thought (warped discs). I checked the discs and they don't appear warped. I checked that the wheels are done up tight and it all seems good. I can't see any slack in the hubs etc..

It's fairly scary and it's only just started to happen.

I am wondering if that sounds like it's Shim related? has anyone else experienced similar symptoms previously.. if so what was the fix?

Any feedback welcome.

[steveG]

Check for play in the track rod ends.
Jack each front wheel up and try rocking it at the 12 and 6 o'clock position to check for any movement there (wheel bearings or swivel bearings).

If you don't find anything there, go through all the bushes/balljoints in the front end looking for anything that's got even a hint of play in it. Often these nasties are a combination of play across a few places.

Steve

[PeterAllen]

I would bet on the panhard bushes. You can easily see if there is movement by getting under the car whilst someone turns steering wheel.

[BilboBoggles]

;-) Mine is doing this - 230,000k old TD5. But it only does it on a sweeping Right hand bend about 60k's where there is a small bump in the road.

It's done this for years, every service it gets put on the list of things to fix, but unfortunately it seems to be one of those small contributing factors from a lot of issues. Luckily it's getting worse so hopefully the issue will be a bit more obvious this time.

Couple of things to check
1- Tie rod ends - Start the engine and get one of the kids to rock the wheel left to right gently about 30 degrees, not enough to actually move the wheels but enough to take up the slack. Then you hop underneath and look at the ball joints, tie rod ends. Any slack will be obvious as the slack is taken up in each direction.

2 - Hop back in and whilst rocking the wheel about a half turn side to side, on a tarmac or concrete surface, watch the bonnet in relation to something close by. If your car is moving each time you turn the wheel then your panhard rod bushes are worn out.

Could also be

- Tyres - work out of round, but only on the our edges - Mud Terrains.
- Shock absorber worn out on one side.


Good Luck.... Mine's going in for a service in a few weeks so I'll let you know if he nails the issue this time.

[inside]

Swivel preload. If the preload has gone you will get shuddering on bumps mid corner. Can be very violent too.

[BilboBoggles]

Fixed!. After 4 years finally it's fixed - or at least significantly improved.

- The main issue was free play in the steering box, this was adjusted out. Also new tie rod ends, and panhard rod bushes.

The difference was rather spectacular - Wow I can feel the road through the steering wheel. I did not realise how bad the steering had become, it's like a new car now. And it no longer gives the death wobble, or at least no so far anyway.

[stewie110]

Fixed!. After 4 years finally it's fixed - or at least significantly improved.

- The main issue was free play in the steering box, this was adjusted out. Also new tie rod ends, and panhard rod bushes.

The difference was rather spectacular - Wow I can feel the road through the steering wheel. I did not realise how bad the steering had become, it's like a new car now. And it no longer gives the death wobble, or at least no so far anyway.

That is super interesting.. I just had my power steering box replaced due to excessive leaks but the problem persists. I will take it to an alternative repairer and get a second opinion from them as it seems to be a long and drawn out experience..

Looking at the power steering box I can't see any places to adjust it.. is there any more details you can share?