↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Puma (Tdci) > Front wheel wobble Puma.
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
Very Rural



Member Since: 04 Jul 2023
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 58

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 CSW Aintree Green
Front wheel wobble Puma.
I'm sure that this subject must have been discussed here many times, I just can't locate it.
My 2012 110 Puma recently developed front wheel wobble at around 58-60mph.
Up to 58, it's ok., & again any speed above 60 & it's fine.

The vehicle has only done 34000 miles, the tyres are almost new, the wheels have been balanced & the steering checked multiple times.
I had the wheels balanced again yesterday, & the guy doing the job said that he didn't think that balancing would solve the problem, - it didn't.
He then went on to say that it was a common problem on the Puma only, due to an imbalance in the weight of the front drive shafts.. He said that his own Puma had suffered with this, & that there was a 180 gram difference between the left & right driveshafts. He reckoned that he changed them & it solved the problem

Can anyone confirm this before I possibly end up going on a wild -goose chase?

Thanks,
David.


Last edited by Very Rural on 26th Jun 2024 1:07pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1038463 26th Jun 2024 12:36pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2407

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
I cannot follow the drive shaft thing. I guess the mechanic was not talking about the half shafts?

You did not mentioned it, but I assume yours has std suspension with std wheels and tires. Did the guy checked the panhard bushings and in fact all front bushes?

I had a wobble at certain speeds as well, and it turned to be just a matter of wheel balance. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #1038466 26th Jun 2024 12:53pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Very Rural



Member Since: 04 Jul 2023
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 58

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 CSW Aintree Green
Thanks,
No he definitely said front driveshafts...
The wheels were re-balanced yesterday, still the same problem.

Standard suspension, all bushes replaced. The problem was there before the bushes were replaced.

David.
Post #1038467 26th Jun 2024 1:06pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 443

Wales 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
A puma might be different but the on the older ones the tension needs to be set on the wheel hubs, or they’ll flop around on the swivel pins, causing shaking. Has this been checked? The steering arms need removing and a spring balance attached to the hub to measure resistance. I’m assuming the pumas are basically similar to the older ones. It’s often worse around a corner, particularly if you hit an uneven patch or bumpy but at the roadside. I can’t see how the weight of the half shafts would make any difference, but a partially diesel cv could.
Post #1038468 26th Jun 2024 1:12pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5842

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
Try swapping the front wheels to the back and back to the front to see if the issue goes/improves. 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #1038473 26th Jun 2024 1:38pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17320

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Re: Front wheel wobble Puma.
Very Rural wrote:
... He then went on to say that it was a common problem on the Puma only, due to an imbalance in the weight of the front drive shafts...


This is complete piffle and extremely unhelpful. He may tell you the world is flat next.

Pumas can suffer from vibration originating with the front propshaft, which, due to the nose-up attitude of the engine and transmission, has flanges which are not operating in the same plane. This is relatively easy to test, simply remove the front propshaft, lock the centre diff, and take the vehicle for a run. If the vibration has stopped then the problem is identified. If this is the problem the fix is simple but not cheap, fit a Gwyn Lewis double-cardan front propshaft (which is what the factory should have fitted in the first place).

This vibration however is not wheel wobble. Wheels wobble is likely to be either an out-of-balance or damaged wheel or tyre (swap with the rears to test), a loose wheel, wear/slackness in wheel bearings, steering ball-joints or steering box, a defective steering damper, or wear in the swivel pins and consequent inadequate friction. Most of these are fairly quick and easy to check.

MT pattern tyres in particular are notorious for causing this effect as they wear since if used predominantly on tarmac thye inevitably wear in strange and uneven ways.

Edited to correct the spelling of Gwyn Lewis's forename, unhelpfully auto-errored by software!


Last edited by blackwolf on 26th Jun 2024 4:41pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1038480 26th Jun 2024 2:52pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
shaynecm



Member Since: 10 May 2024
Location: Norwich
Posts: 63

United Kingdom 
was just repeating the above. ^^^^^ this is the solution to me^^^
Post #1038481 26th Jun 2024 3:07pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2407

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
Last summer I had a wobble effect using in fact MT tires. The only solution was to swap one to the rear.

By now I regret buying those BFG MTs. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #1038491 26th Jun 2024 4:56pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7987

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
180g between a short and long driveshaft? really? thats a complete load of crap.

steering arm bolt on tight?
panard bushes tight
steering damper on/off?
swivel preload
buckled wheel
off set wheel holes worn?
different tyre pressures
tread pattern
delaminating tyre.

just some thoughts. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #1038492 26th Jun 2024 4:56pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Outlaw1



Member Since: 11 Aug 2016
Location: east sussex
Posts: 267

England 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
I had exact same problem at those speeds. Every thing was checked ,bushes .steering , bearings etc etc .
Put another set of wheels / tyres on .Hey presto wobble gone . It took 5 separate specialist Rolling with laughter before i found one that correctly balanced them . No problem since.
Post #1038504 26th Jun 2024 6:18pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20282

United Kingdom 
You could have applied valve stem balancing beads via the valve stem.

Personally though I’d prefer correct balancing, and use the beads if needed, rather than solely relying on balancing beads as the weights will balance everything pretty accurately once done properly.
Emphasis on properly, you can also have the weights put on the inside of the rim with boosts too, rather than ruining the exterior rim edge.
Mine has both weights and Dynabeads, but that’s because I thought I had balancing issues and it actually was a prop shaft UJ bearing failure.

Dynabeads do work well though, I’d only use the valve stem applied smaller ones though I’m not sure about larger the weight has to be precise.
MTR’s typically need more balancing than most due to their design and weight.

Finding a good tyre shop or mobile one is difficult, more commercial, agricultural or 4x4 specialist I think would be better. Some places I think find it a bit heavy, setting the bead can be a bit problematic too. ⭐️⭐️God Bless the USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️
Post #1038561 27th Jun 2024 1:12pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3403

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Luckily the Puma is limited to 86mph (140kph) on standard map, otherwise you will get wobble again at 118mph once you hit the 2nd harmonic - if you are that brave Rolling with laughter .

I would look at all factors that affect steering damping, already listed in previous posts.

Also worth checking your hubs/rims that there is no rust or corrosion that does not let the rim seat well on the hub. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1038567 27th Jun 2024 2:56pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums