Front end wobble - 96 Patrol TD42 Turbo 140k km

I recently bought my Patrol (Safari) who has 140000km on her. She is in remarkable condition, with just a couple of issues.

Sometimes, and only sometimes, I get a wobble in the front end. Sometimes it is pretty noticeable (5-8mm move in the steering wheel) and sometimes slight. In all cases it gets better as she warms up going, reducing to no vibration after 10-15 minutes. There is no shake at very low speeds, and no shake at high speeds. Seems worse at about 45mph.

I had her up on my lift and the front end seems tight, but I did not jack the front wheels off the lift yet. Tires are new and seem well balanced. She is vibration free at high speeds. Power steering fluid is full and clean.

Is this a known issue? Any ideas?


Attachment 89026

Possibly tyres developing flat spots? Not wear spots but just out-of-round, particularly with ageing tyres. Happens mostly if left standing for a few days. They round out with the exercise and a bit of warmth. Does not sound like the dreaded death wobbles or you would really know you had a problem.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ricor

I recently bought my Patrol (Safari) who has 140000km on her. She is in remarkable condition, with just a couple of issues.

Sometimes, and only sometimes, I get a wobble in the front end. Sometimes it is pretty noticeable (5-8mm move in the steering wheel) and sometimes slight. In all cases it gets better as she warms up going, reducing to no vibration after 10-15 minutes. There is no shake at very low speeds, and no shake at high speeds. Seems worse at about 45mph.

I had her up on my lift and the front end seems tight, but I did not jack the front wheels off the lift yet. Tires are new and seem well balanced. She is vibration free at high speeds. Power steering fluid is full and clean.

Is this a known issue? Any ideas?


Attachment 89026

---

Easy things first. Did the tyres get balanced by a workshop that deals with a lot of 4WD tyres?. If your problem persists, then get the front tyres balanced by a shop that knows what they are doing. If the problem isn't fixed, check the front wheel bearings and tighten them. If not fixed, drop one end of the steering damper and check that it takes quite a lot of force to move it in and out.

Great advice, on it. Thanks.

Tires are very expensive Coopers, 2 years old and have maybe 5000 miles on them. Truck is run every day. We live in the Florida Keys so it is hot all summer.

The tires came on the truck so I don't know who balanced them. Problem is there are no good shops within 150 miles of me. I can try rotating the tires first and see if it is exactly the same.