MY12 D4 steering wheel vibrations/shake at highway speeds

**twr7cx** · 28th January 2021, 07:19 PM

One of our MY12 D4's has a shake or vibrations coming through the steering wheel when traveling at highway speeds (above 80km, mainly at 110km/h). It's been there since I got it on the road so I don't have a prior baseline to compare to.

So far to try and resolve this I have:
Checked the tie rod ends for play.
Checked the steering rack to chassis bolts are tight (should be 175NM and I couldn't move them with an 18mm spanner so declared to be tight)
Checked the front diff support bolts (multistage torque setting and I couldn't move them with my 24mm spanner so declared to be tight)
Checked all axel shaft centre nuts are staked and haven't moved.
Checked tyre pressures and monitored for slow leaks.
Checked lower control arm bolts and ball joint are tight.
Swapped front and rear wheels.
With the car lifted turned the steering wheel while observing front wheel movement for freeplay.
New struts and air bags fitted back and front - this was more as the others were done than for resolution of this...
Referred to LR Technical Service Bulletin LTB00317V8 that it's after the VIN range for the steering gear, steering wheel replacement for vibration. It does however state:

If the vehicle has a wheel shimmy whilst driving and a judder and or vibration whilst braking and ... is not within the VIN range for Part Changes. Follow the Service Instruction outlined in Technical Service Bulletin LTB00633v2, appendix 1 and 2 and continue from Step 4.

I've been unable to locate a copy of Technical Service Bulletin LTB00633v2 but according to http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic106297.html it is:

Action: In the event of a customer concern of steering wheel vibration/shimmy/vehicle vibration, refer to the procedure outlined below to balance and optimise the tire/wheel assemblies and identify tires which may have a temporary flat spot condition.

Of relevance is that the front lower control arms were replaced recently, wheel alignment done in Tight Tolerance Mode and four new tyres fitted and balanced before it was registered and driven around.
I've also noticed that the front passenger/left side wheel has been coated in more brake dust than the other front side (driver/right). I've checked the brake callipers, cleaned and regreased the slide pins and all looked fine.

Ideas on what my next check might be? I think I will swap the wheels and tyres over from our other MY12 D4 to confirm that they're not the issue.

**DiscoJeffster** · 28th January 2021, 07:24 PM

I didn’t read any mention of wheel balance in your post. Just get your wheels balanced? Mine is doing it too - I’m due to book mine in. Feeling it through the steering wheel is normally the fronts and through your bum is the rears.

Edit: I see new wheels and tyres. Take it back and question the job. Might have lost a weight.

**twr7cx** · 28th January 2021, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Feeling it through the steering wheel is normally the fronts and through your bum is the rears.

This is why I swapped the front and rear wheels over to see if it would effect it.

**DiscoJeffster** · 28th January 2021, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by twr7cx

This is why I swapped the front and rear wheels over to see if it would effect it.

Hmmm. It’s still normally the simple things. I’d still get them checked

MY12 D4 steering wheel vibrations/shake at highway speeds

Don’t fall for assumptions is what I’m thinking

**Bulletman** · 28th January 2021, 08:36 PM

Have you checked the front wheel bearings ??? i dont see it mentioned. My wife complained the car wheel had vibration above 90 but nothing up till then. I checked the wheel bearings only 5 months ago and they had very minimal movement , but checked them again and the drivers side is quite bad - enough to only use the car very little till the new ones arrive.

worth a try if you havent done so recently - might also explain the brake dust..

Bulletman

**twr7cx** · 28th January 2021, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Bulletman

Have you checked the front wheel bearings ???

worth a try if you havent done so recently - might also explain the brake dust..

No, I have not - a good idea, thank you. Tips on best way to check them? Jack up so the front wheels are off the ground and pull on the wheels for play?

Looks like it's a complete hub assembly with the bearings integrated?

EDIT: found this old thread on them which seemed to maybe have the same issue D3 front wheel bearing replace.

**Bulletman** · 28th January 2021, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by twr7cx

No, I have not - a good idea, thank you. Tips on best way to check them? Looks like it's a complete hub assembly with the bearings integrated?

Jack up each wheel independently , leaving the wheel nuts tight grab the tyre top and bottom and see if you can push or pull it , not rotate it .

there should be no movement , if the bearing is suspect the tyre will move like the wheel nuts are very loose.

Bulletman

**DiscoJeffster** · 28th January 2021, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Bulletman

Jack up each wheel independently , leaving the wheel nuts tight grab the tyre top and bottom and see if you can push or pull it , not rotate it .

there should be no movement , if the bearing is suspect the tyre will move like the wheel nuts are very loose.

Bulletman

Good idea. My MY10 wheel bearings went up front.

**FisherX** · 29th January 2021, 11:01 AM

I'm thinking wheel balance. I had a XJ8 Jag that was very susceptible to wheels out of balance after every tyre change.

The normal wheel balance the tyre shops do is pretty rough and ready. I ended up paying a little extra for the "Performance wheel balance" from Jax Tyres that fixed the issue.

I don't know if other tyre retailers offer the same service.

Why have your wheels balanced using the JAXQuickfit BOS System?

Standard Balance

Tyre and Wheel are mounted to the balancing machine using the rear cone and held by the front wing nut clamp.

Premium Balance

Wheel is centred and positioned on the balancer, as it would be on your vehicle, using a Duo Expert Adapter Et Flange plate to obtain a smooth vibration free drive.

Performance Balance

To achieve optimum performance, we first balance the wheel then match the tyre and wheel to be in their optimum positions. This minimises imbalance. The tyre and wheel unit is then balanced using the Duo Expert Adaptor a Flange plate, ensuring the best in terms of ride comfort and tyre wear.

**Tombie** · 29th January 2021, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by FisherX

I'm thinking wheel balance. I had a XJ8 Jag that was very susceptible to wheels out of balance after every tyre change.

The normal wheel balance the tyre shops do is pretty rough and ready. I ended up paying a little extra for the "Performance wheel balance" from Jax Tyres that fixed the issue.

I don't know if other tyre retailers offer the same service.

Why have your wheels balanced using the JAXQuickfit BOS System?

Standard Balance

Tyre and Wheel are mounted to the balancing machine using the rear cone and held by the front wing nut clamp.

Premium Balance

Wheel is centred and positioned on the balancer, as it would be on your vehicle, using a Duo Expert Adapter Et Flange plate to obtain a smooth vibration free drive.

Performance Balance

To achieve optimum performance, we first balance the wheel then match the tyre and wheel to be in their optimum positions. This minimises imbalance. The tyre and wheel unit is then balanced using the Duo Expert Adaptor a Flange plate, ensuring the best in terms of ride comfort and tyre wear.

That's nothing more than a finger balancer - my local shop (and all before it) used that on my wheels every time.

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