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strang

Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1386

2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green

Death wobble

I seem to be suffering with a bit of a death wobble on my Puma - its an 2009 model with around 53k on the clock. Recently replaced shockers all around, but there were no issues following that.

The problem mainly seems to be differing road surfaces, if the road surface is rough, the wobble is more pronounced. Also sometimes on motorways around 60 - 70, the steering wheel seems to vibrate and wobble a little.

New tyres fitted last year and wheels all balanced OK.

Could it be the steering damper? or something much more expensive.........

Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....

13th Sep 2022 6:03pm

Leamreject

Member Since: 19 Dec 2020
Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa
Posts: 970

Death Wobble in a Defender…. You need to get a motorbike to experience that properly😉 Ride like you stole it!!
If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do…
2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT

13th Sep 2022 6:30pm

jaygti

Member Since: 04 Nov 2012
Location: essex
Posts: 392

Start cheap.
Check for worn bushes, check for something loose.
Then work your way up. 👍🏻 2002 td5 90 county hardtop

13th Sep 2022 6:30pm

Leamreject

Member Since: 19 Dec 2020
Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa
Posts: 970

Also do a four point wheel swap just as a precaution because if you have a slightly buckled wheel it could change the dimension of the problem Ride like you stole it!!
If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do…
2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT

13th Sep 2022 6:37pm

Ianh

Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 2158

Along with bushes check the A frame ball joint atop the rear axle.

13th Sep 2022 7:48pm

Mossberg

Member Since: 29 Feb 2020
Location: Lancs
Posts: 553

1993 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Aintree Green

Leamreject wrote:
Also do a four point wheel swap just as a precaution because if you have a slightly buckled wheel it could change the dimension of the problem

Agree with this - first change front wheels for back. Easy to do and costs nowt!

13th Sep 2022 10:59pm

Mo Murphy

Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2290

1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey

Panhard rod bushes if it's a violent fast judder or swivel preload.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey

14th Sep 2022 5:54am

bear100

Member Since: 22 Mar 2010
Location: South Wales
Posts: 1959

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

Have you fitted wheel spacers at all? 2023 Defender L663 V8
2016 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 TDV8 (gone)
2010 110 XS Utility 2.4TDCI
2010 Range Rover Sport TDV8 (gone)
2007 Discovery HSE TDV6 (gone)
1993 110 csw 200 tdi (gone)
1994 90 HT 300 tdi (gone)
1994 discovery 300tdi (gone)
90 hybrid 3.5 v8 (gone)
Range rover bobtail 3.5 v8 (gone)

14th Sep 2022 6:21am

jfh

Member Since: 08 Jan 2014
Location: West Coast
Posts: 364

2007 Defender 110 300 Tdi SW Chawton White

Swivel pin preload.

14th Sep 2022 1:38pm

spudfan

Member Since: 10 Sep 2007
Location: Co Donegal
Posts: 4746

If the wheels were balanced some of the balancing weights could have come off. Get the front ones at least checked to see if they need balanced. It's an inexpensive move that could solve your problem. 1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali
2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu
2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai

14th Sep 2022 5:01pm

strang

Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1386

bear100 wrote:
Have you fitted wheel spacers at all?

Nope Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....

14th Sep 2022 6:27pm

Procta

Member Since: 03 Dec 2016
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 5241

spudfan wrote:
If the wheels were balanced some of the balancing weights could have come off. Get the front ones at least checked to see if they need balanced. It's an inexpensive move that could solve your problem.

i would do this 1st, i suspected i had the same thing, so me and my dad put the car up on the jack and had a go at moving the wheels for any play etc. We couldn't find anything at all. Went down to my local tyre garage and got the front wheels balanced, both needed re balancing, the driver side was well out.
by 100 gram Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

Success is 90% Inspiration and 4 minutes Preparation # you can make it!

15th Sep 2022 4:33am

bear100

Member Since: 22 Mar 2010
Location: South Wales
Posts: 1959

some wheel spacers are tight on some alloys and can catch when putting the wheel back on 2023 Defender L663 V8
2016 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 TDV8 (gone)
2010 110 XS Utility 2.4TDCI
2010 Range Rover Sport TDV8 (gone)
2007 Discovery HSE TDV6 (gone)
1993 110 csw 200 tdi (gone)
1994 90 HT 300 tdi (gone)
1994 discovery 300tdi (gone)
90 hybrid 3.5 v8 (gone)
Range rover bobtail 3.5 v8 (gone)

15th Sep 2022 6:29am

MR_JAMES

Member Since: 10 Oct 2013
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 249

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

My series 109 did that around 50mph it was horrendous, swapped the wheels around from front to back and it went away. 1953 80"
1987 mini city e
2011 90"

15th Sep 2022 8:45pm

strang

Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1386

Just an update - I had the wheels checked for balance and they were fine. I had also developed a rattle which sounded like brake pads, but still rattled on rough ground whilst braking. Further examination has revealed that the lower bushes on the rear shocks are shot - so that is causing the rattle, hopefully once replaced it will cure the steering issue too. Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....

20th Sep 2022 3:04pm

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