Thread: D2 Shaking / Wobble Steering

Panhard rod bushes would be worth cheking, along with radius arm ones

This has come up a number of times, and a search using "shake" or "wobble" or "vibration" will find a lot of discussion.

This sort of problem rarely has a single cause, but will be an accumulation of various problems; problem is that if you fix just one of them, it will probably go away, but it will be back, with apparently a different cause. Things to look at:-

1. Swivel preload. This is the primary steering damping on beam axle Landrovers, and furthermore, if there is any real free play, it will show up as steering free play and camber and toein errors. Check this first.

2. Any free movement in any of the suspension links, front or rear. Check with a pry bar to see if you can move them! Panhard rod is the most critical.

3. Wheel balance.

4. Steering free play - anything from tie rod ends to worn steering box to loose steering box.

These are the most likely candidates.

5. Loose wheel bearings

6. Incorrect steering geometry, particularly castor and toein (actually toeout). Deliberately changed steering geometry by lifting the suspension, fitting wider wheels etc can contribute as well.

7. Broken chassis (unlikely unless very rusty)

8. Out of round tyres or wheels, bent wheels or wheels mounted with foreign matter on the surfaces that mate with the hub.

Note that I have not included the steering damper, which is there mainly to check steering movement from rough roads rather than the sort of problem you have, and shock absorbers, which if in poor condition will make it worse, but should not be a cause. And remember that there is very likely to be more than one factor.

John

The first thing to do is pop the tie rod ends off and feel how much force is needed to turn the swivels,if one or both move easily then replace the swivel bearings.You should always start there and work outwards. Pat

Disco 2, lads. No swivel bearings - ball joints.

Are you certain that wheel/tyre assemblies have been correctly balanced?

I'd check the propshafts first for serviceable uni joints (especially the front one), then go searching for suspension faults.

FWIW

Cheers

Pete

Question
1.. How long have you owned the car?

2.. Has the car ever had a Accident .... or .... hit / mounted kerbs ???

Mike

Shocks bolts may be loose, steering damper maybe shagged, loose wheel nuts.

After a number of occasions of having this issue myself, this is where I'd start.

I agree with Pierre

Baz.

Originally Posted by mike 90 RR

Question
1.. How long have you owned the car?

2.. Has the car ever had a Accident .... or .... hit / mounted kerbs ???

Mike

Hi Mike,

I had the car since 2004 with 48000km on. Dealer bought (but that doesn't necessarily mean it's smash free) but I certainly didn't crash it.

George

Originally Posted by Pierre

Disco 2, lads. No swivel bearings - ball joints.

Are you certain that wheel/tyre assemblies have been correctly balanced?

I'd check the propshafts first for serviceable uni joints (especially the front one), then go searching for suspension faults.

FWIW

Cheers

Pete

Don't D2's have live axles?. Pat