marcd

New Member
Morning all.
I was driving in to work on Tuesday and had to brake sharply when somebody pulled out in front of me at approx. 60 mph, when I did so the whole front end of my Landy (300tdi Wolf 90) shook very violently, which was also transmitted through the steering wheel. I slowed below 40 and it went away. Upon accelerating it came back at approx. 40 mph and when I looked out of the window I could see the driver's wheel wobbling. I pulled over, jacked the driver's side front wheel up and there was approx 5 to 10mm play when I rocked it at 6 and 12 o'clock. I drove to my local garage and described the symptoms.
I received a call later that day telling me that the wheel bearing was shot and discs and pads were worn so authorised replacement of these parts. The driver's side brake caliper was also seized (I work on a site which is covered in very fine dredged sand so any puddle I drive through is salty and full of silt so I was not surprised) so both calipers were also replaced. The vehicle drove home fine.
This morning I set off for work and everything was fine for about 40 miles until, all of a sudden the same vibration started up. I was travelling straight and accelerating up past 40mph in 4th. I dropped to third and pushed on to 50 and the vibration went. It came back when I dropped back down past 40. If there is any load on the steering the vibration does not appear.

For a bit of back story, the steering box was leaking for a few weeks until I replaced it with a recon unit from Paddocks, this was about a month ago. Also the rear shock bushes are worn, I have not got around to sorting this yet. There is also a slight clunk when I turn with full lock.

I am leaning towards this being swivel bearing preload, or possibly panhard rod bushes. I did check the panhard rod initially and there does not seem to be any play in it. I also checked the track rod and there is no horizontal play although it does rotate front to back. Is this correct?

any help would be very gratefully appreciated, my wife is starting to get fed up with it breaking down and has mooted the idea of selling it and getting something else. I am also getting fed up with it and the petrol can is looking increasingly attractive!
 
I don't think the swivel bearing preload would cause that. As far as I know it just makes it feel odd to drive.

Have you checked the UJs in the driveshafts? sounds like that to me
 
When my swivel bearings were worn it would vibrate at high frequency after hitting a pothole/dip in the road, slamming on for a split second stopped it but it was scary. The steering damper hides it for a while but when that packs in you just notice.
 
Front prop was new in October/November so I doubt those are suspect, rear UJs were done in September. I have had UJs fail before and this is much more violent and sudden than that.
 
UJs in the swivels maybe? I guess that would also fit with the stopping when you turned as it is taking up the slack in the bearings.
 
Flat spotted tires by any chance? You should be able to turn steering rod as far as joints allow.
 
I will have a lok at CV joints, is there an easy way to check them?
If you find a large area try turning in circle slowly with the wheels on full lock, left then right. If the cv joints are worn they'll normally make an audible clicking noise
 
I did have the wheels balanced when I had new tires fitted last autumn, I didnt think of that. Would missing balancing weights cause this violent a shake? It feels like the wheel is about to fall off.
 
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When turning on full lock I get one click when I start to move as if some slack is being taken up.
 
I did have the wheels balanced when I had new tires fitted last autumn, I didnt think of that. Would missing balancing weights cause this violent a shake? It feels like the wheel is about to fall off.
You'd be surprised. I had very very bad vibration that I couldn't pinpoint and it ended up just being the balancing.
 
Nope, he can check the Cv joint by removing the hub and stub axle then pulling the cv joint and halfshaft out. It's a piece of ****. Swivel stays in place.

Ha, yeah I'm wrong again. in my head the swivel attached the other way. My bad.
 
If you had free play at six and twelve o'clock, but not three and nine, I'd have been looking at the swivel bearings, not wheel bearings.

Jack it up and check again.
 

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