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Kevlar

Member Since: 28 Oct 2020
Location: Prague
Posts: 78

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Santorini Black

Hi All

I just installed TF wheel spacers on my 90.
Before installation I had a slight wheel tremor at around 80 Kmh.
Now after fitting the spacers it’s progressed to full on death wobble between 70 and 80 klicks.

Any thoughts? I’m thinking the spacers are not the cause but they have only accentuated the original issue.

I guess next steps is to start changing all the rubber mounts ?

Any advise please

Thanks

Kev

9th Sep 2022 4:17pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17386

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

Changing the offset will, unfortunately, greatly amplify any imbalance or wobbliness as you have found. I would probably start with the simplest thing and get the wheel balance checked, since a slightly out of balance wheel will feel like a catastrophically out of balance wheel now.

After that you really just need to check that wheelbearings, swivels, and all steering balljoints are all up to spec, then move on to other steering and suspension components.

9th Sep 2022 5:23pm

Kevlar

Member Since: 28 Oct 2020
Location: Prague
Posts: 78

Thanks for the advise Blackwolf

Good to know where to start next.
Let’s hope it’s the wheel balancing

Kev

9th Sep 2022 5:38pm

I Like Old Skool

Member Since: 23 Feb 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 809

1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi ST Coniston Green

Kevlar wrote:
Hi All

I just installed TF wheel spacers on my 90.
Before installation I had a slight wheel tremor at around 80 Kmh.
Now after fitting the spacers it’s progressed to full on death wobble between 70 and 80 klicks.

Any thoughts? I’m thinking the spacers are not the cause but they have only accentuated the original issue.

I guess next steps is to start changing all the rubber mounts ?

Any advise please

Thanks

Kev

Could be as simple as wheel balancing, but also highly likely to be showing up some play in other suspension/steering components.

Have a read of this - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic84803.html

10th Sep 2022 11:48pm

100inch

Member Since: 15 May 2012
Location: Brunswick
Posts: 411

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Santorini Black

blackwolf wrote:
Changing the offset will, unfortunately, greatly amplify any imbalance or wobbliness as you have found. I would probably start with the simplest thing and get the wheel balance checked, since a slightly out of balance wheel will feel like a catastrophically out of balance wheel now.

After that you really just need to check that wheelbearings, swivels, and all steering balljoints are all up to spec, then move on to other steering and suspension components.

Scrub Radius. Also makes keeping straight whilst breaking much harder. m

11th Sep 2022 3:10am

Kevlar

Member Since: 28 Oct 2020
Location: Prague
Posts: 78

Thanks all

I’ll start with the wheel balance and work in from there.
My swivels are pitted and leaking so expect they are worn and contributing to the issue.

Just added a few more things to my defender to do list

Kev

11th Sep 2022 7:14am

Kevlar

Member Since: 28 Oct 2020
Location: Prague
Posts: 78

So, I had my wheels balanced, they were all out of balance so definitely worth doing.
Unfortunately, it didn't solve the death wobble.

For now, I have removed the spacers on the front until I get the issue solved.
Time to start spending some money on parts

I will update once I find the solution.

Thanks

Kev

13th Sep 2022 12:32pm

100inch

Member Since: 15 May 2012
Location: Brunswick
Posts: 411

Also check bushes, particular panhard rod. Your steering arm is may loose. Swivels, steering dampener.. the list goes on. The bigger the scrub radius, the bigger the tendency the car gets out of line, particular under braking. m

14th Sep 2022 5:54am

Poulstonb

Member Since: 30 Jun 2022
Location: Styal
Posts: 87

Running terrafirma 30mm spacers no issues so far

7th Oct 2022 8:55pm

Kevlar

Member Since: 28 Oct 2020
Location: Prague
Posts: 78

Hello

So I just finished installing Super Pro bushes to the Panhard Rod and Radius Arms.
The Death Wobble has gone. Honestly, it's never driven so well since I bought it.

Great result all round, tomorrow I will add back the wheel spacers and hopefully all will remain good.
Thanks all for the advice

Kev

25th Oct 2022 5:35pm

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