Thread: Extreme wobble while driving

check the panhard rod is tight, especially the diff housing end

Do a search for swivel preload. Heaps of information already here.

Panhard rod seems good and tight. Nothing is loose, but I haven't had it off the ground yet. Is the swivel adjustment a pretty easy job, or one for the professionals? I've got next to no mechanical experience.

Does the steering feel loose or vague when driving? Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth and look at everything underneath to see if there is movement where it shouldn't be. If everything looks right, the as mentioned I'd be looking at swivel pre load. It's not too hard to check, but if you don't have the confidence, read through the manual - it has a good description of how to do it. You only need a jack, jack stands or similar and some basic hand tools.

Originally Posted by mfs24

Panhard rod seems good and tight. Nothing is loose, but I haven't had it off the ground yet. Is the swivel adjustment a pretty easy job, or one for the professionals? I've got next to no mechanical experience.

Put the front axle on stands and remove the wheels.
Now you need to remove the tie rod ends from the swivel assy (2 on LH, 1 on RH). You need a ball joint remover for this unless you want to try the 2 hammer trick:
Ball Joint Removal


Once you have those free, you can move the swivel assy by hand. If it's very floppy & won't stay in any one place by itself, the preloads are loose.


It's adjustable by removing/adding shims under the top pin but I'd recommend getting hold of a workshop manual first (copies available under the Shop button on the main page).

Steering Damper.
Had same prob on 95 Disco.
Replaced Damper with nice shiny new one, no more wobbles.

To check Panhard rod you need to run engine and have someone you trust at the steering wheel.
You get under and looking at the diff end of the Panhard rod first get them to move the steering wheel about 40mm either side of centre at about one cycle every two seconds.....look for play between the two when the steering moves. Often a rusty looking mark appears below the bush if you look carefully

Psimpson7 is right as engine and steering box oil runs down the Panhard rod and the diff end rubber bush usually gives up first. These bushes are cheap but I advise getting the bolt as well if there is the slightest hint of a shoulder. To change the bush you need a big vice and some tubes/sockets.

Once you are satisfied that the Panhard rod bushes are OK, I would second...third the swivel hub preloads need checking. If these are OK then the steering damper.

By the way the tyres are good right and there is not a big lump of mud on the inside of one of the wheels?

Originally Posted by discovery39

Steering Damper.
Had same prob on 95 Disco.
Replaced Damper with nice shiny new one, no more wobbles.

The steering damper is not needed to damp wobbles - if replacing it does so, it is only masking the underlying problem, which may be a combination of several problems.

John