Death wobble on a 300tdi

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Landydan95

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Hi I am new to landyzone and new to owning a Land Rover discovery. I purchased a 1998 Land Rover d1 300tdi and the previous own said to me about a vibration at 40-45mph. He believed it was because of a buckled wheel on the NSF. On the way back from buying it I noticed it wasn’t really a vibration but more of a death wobble that was worse at 40mph. If you were on the power it would go away but if you were just plodding along or sitting at around 38-45 mph it is there. When I got it home I swapped over the spare wheel as that isn’t buckled and retested it but still the same. When it does it the steering wheel is hard to control and you have to have 2 hands on it just to try to stay on the road you can feel it through the whole car and if you not below 38mph or on the power and just sitting at 40ish mph then the whole car shakes to because of it. It does feel like it is on the NSF. Sorry if it has already been asked but completely new to this site and to owning a Land Rover.
 
lynall said:
Welcome to LZ.

I would suggest you let a mechanic look at the car before you drive it anymore.
Click to expand...
Hi thanks for the response. The funny thing is I am a mechanic but never dealt with Land rovers before hand and no nothing about them.
 
Landydan95 said:
Hi thanks for the response. The funny thing is I am a mechanic but never dealt with Land rovers before hand and no nothing about them.
Click to expand...
Well then on the plus side you will be pleased to know they are very simple and old school all at the same time, you will have to get the trolley jack and pry bar and get busy, concentrate on front axle, wheel bearings and swivel assembly, careful to not mix up play in one with the other, every ball joint especially drop arm one, pas box drop arm nut is an old favourite.
The list is pretty much endless, if not sure get an mot and see what they find, even better if you have your own tester on site.
 
Landydan95 said:
Hi thanks for the response. The funny thing is I am a mechanic but never dealt with Land rovers before hand and no nothing about them.
Click to expand...

Check all the usual suspension and steering suspects ... if all good

Check the pre-load on the swivels ...

Oh and download RAVE, the digital manual ...
 
Landydan95 said:
Hi I am new to landyzone and new to owning a Land Rover discovery. I purchased a 1998 Land Rover d1 300tdi and the previous own said to me about a vibration at 40-45mph. He believed it was because of a buckled wheel on the NSF. On the way back from buying it I noticed it wasn’t really a vibration but more of a death wobble that was worse at 40mph. If you were on the power it would go away but if you were just plodding along or sitting at around 38-45 mph it is there. When I got it home I swapped over the spare wheel as that isn’t buckled and retested it but still the same. When it does it the steering wheel is hard to control and you have to have 2 hands on it just to try to stay on the road you can feel it through the whole car and if you not below 38mph or on the power and just sitting at 40ish mph then the whole car shakes to because of it. It does feel like it is on the NSF. Sorry if it has already been asked but completely new to this site and to owning a Land Rover.
Click to expand...
Could be a number of things. But most likely the pitman arm drop balljoint. Check the other steering balljoints too. I'd also be tempted to replace the panhard rod bushes.

Also check for balanced wheels. Big and/or large offset rims and tyres can make it worse. If non of this fixes it you'll need to start and look at the hubs and other bushes or maybe even the steering box.
 
Yes, I agree with Dippypud, it is likely to be slack swivel bearings, or the bottom swivel bearing has collapsed.
 
Try the easy and cheap one first, swap wheels front to back, or put a pair on the front you know are ok.

Try looking at the videos on the subject. I think trailer fitters toolbox on youtube do one on checking the steering.
 
I had that once, panhard bushes. It's the arm that stiffens the axle to the chassis at the front. If bushes are worn to bad the axle can move side to side. :(
 
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