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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258
Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Death wobble and steering box play
Hello everybody

Some days ago my steering started to feel a little different, and then the so called death wobble apeared at higher speeds (60km/h up) mostly in asphalt roads.
The wobble apears when the steering is centered, if I make a turn it tends to disapear.

So today I jacked up the front axle to check what's going on. It turns out that, when moving the steering wheel, the steering column moves accordingly to the wheel, and the steering rods move accordingly to the drop arm, the only thing that seems to have play is the steering box.

That steering box play is not homogeneous on all the steering range. With the axle jacked up, the play is really small wit the steering centered, but quite big when steering is near full lock to both sides.

Does this all makes sense?

Is this problem corrected with the steering box adjustment?

Thanks
Post #244982 19th Jun 2013 9:58pm
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diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6093
United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Yes, the manual states that if you adjust the steering box (by loosening the locknut on top, then turning the middle allen screw) to do it with the steering in the straight ahead position.

If you adjust it with the steering to the left or to the right, then at straight ahead it will become very tight.
Post #245010 20th Jun 2013 6:51am
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258
Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
True,
But am I supposed to end up with very little play at the center and a load of it at the sides?
Post #245029 20th Jun 2013 7:29am
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wslr



Member Since: 18 Jul 2010
Location: Wellington, Somerset
Posts: 581
United Kingdom 
It's probably not just play in the steering box. You probably have a little play in several places. Something rotating (wheels, brake discs etc) is setting off the wobble and the play in these other areas is amplifying the issue.

Perhaps look at the following. Wheel bearings. Kingpins. Panhard rod bushes/bolts. Steering ball joints drag/track rods and so on.
Post #245037 20th Jun 2013 7:50am
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diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6093
United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Jose.Pereira wrote:
True,
But am I supposed to end up with very little play at the center and a load of it at the sides?


I think that's the general way the steering boxes work... you set up the "center" position, and there is more slack at the sides, BUT if you set it up at the sides, then naturally the center will be too tight.
Post #245049 20th Jun 2013 8:43am
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WelshGas



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Posts: 935
Wales 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Are you sure you haven't just lost a balancing weight off one of the front wheels as the problem seems to have come on fairly suddenly as you stated in your original post. Whistle LANDYWATCH

Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners

http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php
Post #245133 20th Jun 2013 3:52pm
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258
Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Like I said before, with the axle lifted I saw no play on any componet from the drop arm on

Could a missing rim weight be causing such a sudent and intense steering wobble?
Post #245173 20th Jun 2013 6:07pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5729
2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
Sounds like you have the wrong preload on the swivels.

Andy
Post #245174 20th Jun 2013 6:10pm
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WelshGas



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Posts: 935
Wales 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Jose - Yes. Unbalanced wheels can give you significant steering vibration. Simple to check and not uncommon, especially if you Offroad even a little. Thumbs Up LANDYWATCH

Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners

http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php
Post #245179 20th Jun 2013 6:26pm
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258
Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Ok, I just went to the car and checked again.

With the axle on the floor, and the engine running (power steering on) there seems to be zero play at center. Every little move I make on the steering wheel is translated in wheel movement.

A quick check revealed that a few weights are missing on the front left wheel.
Might this be the problem?
Post #245186 20th Jun 2013 6:48pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5729
2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
Swap front wheels to rear, easy test.

Andy
Post #245195 20th Jun 2013 7:13pm
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258
Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Just found the cause of all the problems, a worn out panhard bushing.

I'll try to replace it ASAP. What kind of problems can arise from drive it like it is?
Thanks for all the help
Post #245237 20th Jun 2013 10:06pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5729
2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
Messy pants from fear of death from nasty shaking, and the fact it pulls one way on power other way off power.

Andy
Post #245240 20th Jun 2013 10:14pm
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258
Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Note to the future:
In case of steering problems, always check with PS-off/axle-up and PS-on/axle-down. Different things are detected in different conditions it seems
Post #245241 20th Jun 2013 10:19pm
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Diablo



Member Since: 26 Oct 2011
Location: Basingstoke
Posts: 335
1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi SW Keswick Green
Death wobble and the subsequent destruction of panhard rod bushes is usually a result of incorrect swivel preload(s).
Post #245361 21st Jun 2013 12:38pm
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