Wheel wobble. swivel preload questions?

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ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90

Active Member
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953
Hi All.
I'm getting a bit of wheel wobble on my defender 90. After searching I went and had the wheels balanced, which made a big difference, and made it feel much more planted surprisingly.

It's got all new suspension all round, new steering damper and all new bushes except the panhard rod. I'm getting a bit of bump steer too, hense looking into swivel preload.

I now want to check the swivel preload. Is it necessary to remove the swivel seal to test it? I realise it's the way the manual states, I just wondered if people had success doing it with the seal in situ.

Any help would be great. Thanks
 
The seal can add a lot of resistance to movement. You wouldn't have to remove it completely, just undo the bolts that hold it on and move it away from the "ball".
A fishing scale is pretty good for measuring preload.
 
The added resistance of the seal is unknown because it can vary accourding to seal wear, weather it's dry or wet with oil, if the ball is rough etc.
I would remove it because if you don't and still have a wobble then you haven't eliminated the pre load and will have to do it again with the seals removed.
Just my tuppence worth.
 
zeaphod said:
The seal can add a lot of resistance to movement. You wouldn't have to remove it completely, just undo the bolts that hold it on and move it away from the "ball".
A fishing scale is pretty good for measuring preload.
Click to expand...

Flossie said:
The added resistance of the seal is unknown because it can vary accourding to seal wear, weather it's dry or wet with oil, if the ball is rough etc.
I would remove it because if you don't and still have a wobble then you haven't eliminated the pre load and will have to do it again with the seals removed.
Just my tuppence worth.
Click to expand...

Thanks Chaps. Very good advice, I will remove the seal.

So I need two sachets of swivel grease and some shims. If the seals are okay and not leaking, should I replace them? Or will just moving them out the way be fine. I will use the rave manual to set the correct preload.
Thanks alot
 
I wouldn't replace them if they are not leaking. Of course, if they are looking ropey and maybe about to start leaking, that's another matter.
 
Check the contact edge of the seals for rips, tears and general signs of wear and tear. If in good order you'll be fine to re-use, else replacement is the only long-term option, although with one-shot grease used as a lubricant (as opposed to EP oil), there's reduced chance of leaks in any case. There is a well proven method of replacing the seals without the need to disassemble the entire hub/swivel assembly (online search should unearth procedure).

When checking the swivel resistance, try to move the spring balance/measuring device in a constant arc that mimics the movement of the hub when steering and repeat the exercise a few times to eliminate any anomalies/rogue readings.
 
I had a bit of steering wobble on my 110.
Wheel balancing improved matters as did new lower shock bushes all round (the rears had play, an advisory in the last MOT)
However when l went round a corner at speed and hit a bump, l still got a "dududu" bounce feeling through the steering.
And on the motorway at over 60mph if l hit a bump or undulation it was similar.
I got the swivel preload done, and after that it was OK.
 
lightning said:
I had a bit of steering wobble on my 110.
Wheel balancing improved matters as did new lower shock bushes all round (the rears had play, an advisory in the last MOT)
However when l went round a corner at speed and hit a bump, l still got a "dududu" bounce feeling through the steering.
And on the motorway at over 60mph if l hit a bump or undulation it was similar.
I got the swivel preload done, and after that it was OK.
Click to expand...

That's exactly the problem I've got. Not too bad when I hit a bump in a straight line, but hit one round a corner, and it throws the wheel into a shake.

Thanks for all your replies and advice. Getting a set of shims and some grease and going to check them out.
 
ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 said:
That's exactly the problem I've got. Not too bad when I hit a bump in a straight line, but hit one round a corner, and it throws the wheel into a shake.

Thanks for all your replies and advice. Getting a set of shims and some grease and going to check them out.
Click to expand...
Most likely you're going to be removing shims. Hopefully, they are there to remove. Good luck.
 
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