Front End Shaking Itself To Bits.

[Dargle]

Hi Guys,

The least couple of times I've been out in Sealien, I've had an issue when I hit a small undulation in the road - bitumen, where the steering has started shaking itself stupid as if I've got a flat front tyre.

When it happens all I have to do is slow down to about 20kms and the front end sorts itself out. It hasn't done it prior and I have driven the same road on a regular basis.

I've gone over the front end, double checked the wheels were done up and nothing pops out.

So, should I get a Steering Dampener fitted - I wouldn't think that the Army would have put up with this issue, do I pull the pin and get new springs and shocks, if so what would you suggest?

Any advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated, because until the issue is fixed I am very reluctant to take her out.

Dion

[cummo]

Wheel balance maybe? That was the cause of my shake above a particular speed when I first got my truck. There wasn't a wheel weight in sight when I picked it up. A balance of wheels and all fixed.

Cheers, Dave

[Dargle]

Cheers Dave, but it's not something that happens every time I go over a particular speed.

It's when I hit an uneven surface on the road like a covered pot hole.

Dion

[Chris078]

Cheers Dave, but it's not something that happens every time I go over a particular speed.

It's when I hit an uneven surface on the road like a covered pot hole.

Dion

So many things it could be. bit of a list to check
1. Tie rod ends/balljoint. could be worn and the bump is knocking the ball out of the seat.

2. There is a steering damper, it could be worn. easily replaced for about $100. - though this will not be the cause of your problem.

3. the ball joint on the pitman (steering arm) could be worn out, same as the tie rod ends.

4. one of the suspension springs may be loose/or the dislocation cones themselves may be loose.

edit - could also be the bushes in the drag arm are shagged.

The good news is 3 new tie rod ends, and a new steering arm is less than $200 delivered from the UK, and about the same to fit.

[Bearman]

Hi Dargle, common problem, what you have to do is find out what side the shaking is coming from (usually the left) and take a shim out of the top pin on the swivel housing and tighten it up a bit. Easiest way to do this is jack it up, take the wheel off and then put a bottle jack under the bottom of the swivel housing so it doesn't drop a little and let the oil out when you loosen and remove the pin on the top of the swivel housing (4 bolts). You will find some thin shims under the top pin - take a small one out and bolt it back up again - problem usually solved, if not repeat and take another one out until the shaking stops. You can disconnect the steering drag link and the track rod between the 2 wheels and check the resistance if you want to and it should be just firm but not loose (there is a torque figure but I don't have it with me at the moment.

[Dargle]

Thanks for the info guys.

I'm surprised that the issue has only just reared its ugly head just now.

I'll get it up on the jack this weekend and have a good look over the suspension in general, and then look at the LHS To see if the shims need to be looked at.

Dion

[inside]

Had same issue on mine a few years ago. Swivel preload adjustment sorted it.

[Blknight.aus]

pm sent, backup to bearmans advice + check wheel bearings especially the left side + the bushes on the panhard rod.