Thread: P38 severe death wobble

You need a helper and a jack. First get under the car and get someone to rock the steering wheel, engine off. Feel the ends of all the steering rods for looseness, and also the track rod. I have driven a RRC with worn track rod bushes; it felt just like you describe. Then use the jack under the axle to lift the front wheels off the deck, one side at a time. Rock the wheel vertically and feel for movement. Costs are of course totally dependent on the parts and labour required. A track rod bush would cost less than $100 to fix.

Thanks for the reply,
Is the steering set up on the P38 the same as the RRC?
I will get under it again this afternoon if time permits and have another play around.
regards.

Originally Posted by PeterAllen

Thanks for the reply,
Is the steering set up on the P38 the same as the RRC?

No it is not "the same" but "very similar". The layout is similar to the RRC but the specific parts are different.

Originally Posted by PeterAllen

Hi all,
Have a severe death wobble that has developed over the past few weeks. Happens at about 60km or over and the whole car goes into a severe shake until the speed is reduced, uneven road surface can also start it off.
Was told it looks like the front wheels are wobbling out of control from following vehicle. Had front wheels balanced, no change. Changed tyres, no change.
Cannot notice any issues that are obvious with the front end other than a degraded boot on something under the axle. have read elsewhere about front swivel pins etc, steering damper, etc.
Is there any where that "draws pictures "for me as I have no experience in the suspension or steering and seems as though the front needs attention sooner than later. Also if anyone has experienced the same and fixed would like to hear about what what required, parts etc.
Regards

My friend, if you have a serious "Death Wobble" and as you say no experience with steering or suspension systems for the sake of your self and other road users take it into a work shop for repairs

Originally Posted by RR P38

My friend, if you have a serious "Death Wobble" and as you say no experience with steering or suspension systems for the sake of your self and other road users take it into a work shop for repairs

While I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiment from a safety POV, I personally would prefer to do some investigation and learning before I took it to a shop to arm myself against possible misinformation, profiteering and shonkiness of some mob who may say "you need a new Johnson rod"...

Perhaps you should have said, "take it into a 'trusted' work shop"

I'm not paranoid - I promise.

I appreciate your concern about the safety of the vehicle and until the issue is resolved the vehicle has not been driven other than to test if wheel balancing was the issue.
I joined this forum to learn about the vehicle mechanically and as I have owned a RRC for over twenty years have some mechanical experience but have not dealt with any steering issues previously other than leaking steering boxes.
There appears to be many "possible " causes to this issue and I have already dealt with the obvious ones relating to tyres and wheels. I am seeking others experienced in such matters to learn from rather than support for my better half of "take it to a repairer" which will leave me with a lighter wallet and far less educated about the workings of the vehicle.
At the end of the day it may be the way I need to go but I want to have a serious shot at it first.

Hi Peter, I know I'm only a girl but my family used to have lots of trucks and things...anyway, for what its worth, I experienced something similar once when the propeller shaft became unbalanced- the university joint went I think- and it caused an awful shaking in the steering wheel.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Lani

Thanks for your input Lani,
I have checked the drive shafts and joints already as I have recently redone the front drive shaft uni joints on my RRC. It use to shake a bit but it was also noisy and the symptoms are dissimilar to what I am experiencing with the P38. (there is no drive train noise just the onset of severe vibration thru the front end).
I will know more when I get under it and have someone jerk about with the steering as Bee-utey suggested.
Hopefully, it will expose the culprit.
Regards