BFin2 · Aug 24, 2023

Hi all,
Could very much do with some advice please!
My ‘85 defender has developed a steering wobble over a couple of months, first noticed it after replacing the front wheel bearings.
The wobble appears to come on around 60 mph - it’s not uncontrollable but it’s there.
After doing alignment, new panhard rod, wheel weights, swivel preload and full check over by a Land Rover specialist - I’m stuck.
A couple of other symptoms are:
- potholes and undulating roads can make it feel like the car is steering for me a little
- a bit of a clunk from front right
- a shake if you hit a pothole hard

Any ideas are well received! Thanks

lynall · Aug 24, 2023

Find the source of the clunk first.

Rear trailing arm bushs (triangle ones) can also effect steering.

Swap front wheels/tyres wth rears to eliminate them.

What make/size wheel/tyre fitted?

Hicap phill · Aug 24, 2023

lynall said:
Find the source of the clunk first.

Rear trailing arm bushs (triangle ones) can also effect steering.

Swap front wheels/tyres wth rears to eliminate them.

What make/size wheel/tyre fitted?

Bet That clunk is the A frame joint.

Leave handbrake on and rock landrover forward/back to his will soon find the clunk
You can also see the trailing arm bushes moving if there’s a problem

Al2O3 · Aug 24, 2023

The panhard rod bolts have got to be done up extremely tight, otherwise you get the symptoms you describe. When the bushes go it's like riding a wild horse, but if you've replaced the lot and you've got mild symptoms, my first port of call would be getting the socket back on the bolts.

Anaconda · Aug 24, 2023

Al2O3 said:
The panhard rod bolts have got to be done up extremely tight, otherwise you get the symptoms you describe. When the bushes go it's like riding a wild horse, but if you've replaced the lot and you've got mild symptoms, my first port of call would be getting the socket back on the bolts.

Also you really need to replace the bolts with new ones if you haven't already.

Anaconda · Aug 24, 2023

Forgot to mention 85 is not a Defender.
Also I am reasonably sure the preload changed but can't remember which year.

BFin2 · Aug 25, 2023

lynall said:
Find the source of the clunk first.

Rear trailing arm bushs (triangle ones) can also effect steering.

Swap front wheels/tyres wth rears to eliminate them.

What make/size wheel/tyre fitted?

Thank you! Forgot to mention that I swapped them round - really made a difference but I get the feeling they’re only masking the issue for now?
They’re continental cross contacts 235/85. On boost wheels.

BFin2 · Aug 25, 2023

Hicap phill said:
Bet That clunk is the A frame joint.
Leave handbrake on and rock landrover forward/back to his will soon find the clunk
You can also see the trailing arm bushes moving if there’s a problem

Cheers - couldn’t get the clunk to emerge but it looks very worn so wouldn’t be surprised.

BFin2 · Aug 25, 2023

Al2O3 said:
The panhard rod bolts have got to be done up extremely tight, otherwise you get the symptoms you describe. When the bushes go it's like riding a wild horse, but if you've replaced the lot and you've got mild symptoms, my first port of call would be getting the socket back on the bolts.

The next thing I’ll do!

BFin2 · Aug 25, 2023

Anaconda said:
Forgot to mention 85 is not a Defender.
Also I am reasonably sure the preload changed but can't remember which year.

All new bolts but thank you. You're right - got me!

lynall · Aug 25, 2023

BenF2 said:
Thank you! Forgot to mention that I swapped them round - really made a difference but I get the feeling they’re only masking the issue for now?
They’re continental cross contacts 235/85. On boost wheels.

Wheel spacers/rings?

BFin2 · Aug 30, 2023

lynall said:
Wheel spacers/rings?

Yes its got spacers but they have been on there long before i had the car. The wheels won't fit on the axles without them.

lynall · Aug 30, 2023

BenF2 said:
Yes its got spacers but they have been on there long before i had the car. The wheels won't fit on the axles without them.

I would sweet talk someone and maybe borrow a set of steels for testing purposes.
You could always jack the car up and slowly spin the wheel and see if it is running out of round, might have to jack whole axle to get them to spin.

BFin2

Member

lynall

Well-Known Member

Hicap phill

Well-Known Member

Al2O3

Well-Known Member

Anaconda

Well-Known Member

Anaconda

Well-Known Member

BFin2

Member

BFin2

Member

BFin2

Member

BFin2

Member

lynall

Well-Known Member

BFin2

Member

lynall

Well-Known Member

Similar threads