bad shacking in steering

[wojtech]

Just bought a GQ last weekend and I'm working through all the bits and pieces. It had a massive shake in it because my 2 previous cars (Rangie, Rocky) had a shake like this before I even looked underneath it I bought some panard bushes and bunged them in, that helped a bit, shake still there not nearly as bad, spent a day doing the swivel hubs, and hey presto no more shake.
I suggest anyone with a shake like this to look firstly at panard bushes (cheap) and secondly jack one front corner of the car up grab the top and bottom of the wheel and see if there is any movement any movement there indicates wore king pin bearings which either need to be replaced or shimmed to get more preload, I got a Swivel Hub kit from REPCO for $250 and they do both sides include bearings and axle and all other seals and gaskets, I wouldn't know how much a grease monkey would charge to put them in coz I did mine myself. But I'd say add another 300-400 on to the price of the parts

[xamrab]

I had 750R16 on my GQ and never noticed the shakes except a rough ride because the shocks weren't the best. Today, changed to R15 with 30 x 10.5 tyres (Kumo). Between 75 and 90 kph she shakes a lot but then settles down. I was wondering what I had done wrong. Jumped out and checked the wheels nuts were still there and tight. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet. Having read the previous posts, I can see I may have a challenge ahead and an empty wallet.

[timbar]

word of advice take the car back and get the tyres either checked or rebalanced and u will find the problem did you get a wheel alignment ?

[snake1978]

i have the same problem
im not mechanically minded so if some1 could name several parts, bushes, bearings etc that would be a priority to replace, it would make it alot easier when i talk to mechanic

[xamrab]

I had 750R16 on my GQ and never noticed the shakes except a rough ride because the shocks weren't the best. Today, changed to R15 with 30 x 10.5 tyres (Kumo). Between 75 and 90 kph she shakes a lot but then settles down. I was wondering what I had done wrong. Jumped out and checked the wheels nuts were still there and tight. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet. Having read the previous posts, I can see I may have a challenge ahead and an empty wallet.

Been away so couldn't post reply earlier. Turns out one of the tyres was under prressure and both needed a re-alignment.

[Bigrig]

Been away so couldn't post reply earlier. Turns out one of the tyres was under prressure and both needed a re-alignment.

Glad it was a cheap and easy fix mate!

[growler2058]

Cool glad it was a easy fix for ya mate

[Robo]

Hi guys,
Have the 70-85kph shimmy now, started out as death wobble, could'nt control car at all, I was just a passenger behind the wheel struth !!.
replaced all front end bearings, tierods x 4, yoko tyres on steel rims had 2" lift 2 yrs ago and ome nitro shocks, bit hard for the street +200kg constant load.(family car, and tow vechile)
dropped back to ome 30mm front and lpg springs rear,
replaced all rubber bushes, inc caster 2 deg in radius arms.
the only thing not done is damper, it look's std, taken it off and feels fine throughtout stroke.
I'd replaced this yrs ago on mk wagon with h/d rancho and recon to heavy, would not RTC and it suffered same wobble so I find it hard to believe replacing it on newer 4x4 not the answere.
However I have suspesions that the offset and width of rims might have something to do with it!
but replacing 16x8 steel rims with say 16x7 alloy and getting offset back to close to factory as possible is 2-3k gamble if I'm wrong.
The rims are from the Mk so the offset is for the front suspension of a leaf sprung and not coils.
I do know that the offset for bothe MK and GQ is +30mm as I have both gen manuals.
ANY SUGESTIONS ?.
at witt's end to what is causing wobble

[Bigrig]

Hi guys,
Have the 70-85kph shimmy now, started out as death wobble, could'nt control car at all, I was just a passenger behind the wheel struth !!.
replaced all front end bearings, tierods x 4, yoko tyres on steel rims had 2" lift 2 yrs ago and ome nitro shocks, bit hard for the street +200kg constant load.(family car, and tow vechile)
dropped back to ome 30mm front and lpg springs rear,
replaced all rubber bushes, inc caster 2 deg in radius arms.
the only thing not done is damper, it look's std, taken it off and feels fine throughtout stroke.
I'd replaced this yrs ago on mk wagon with h/d rancho and recon to heavy, would not RTC and it suffered same wobble so I find it hard to believe replacing it on newer 4x4 not the answere.
However I have suspesions that the offset and width of rims might have something to do with it!
but replacing 16x8 steel rims with say 16x7 alloy and getting offset back to close to factory as possible is 2-3k gamble if I'm wrong.
The rims are from the Mk so the offset is for the front suspension of a leaf sprung and not coils.
I do know that the offset for bothe MK and GQ is +30mm as I have both gen manuals.
ANY SUGESTIONS ?.
at witt's end to what is causing wobble

It could be offset, but it seems so individual to specific cars - it affects the Ackerman angle (centre of wheel to vertical centre line of swivel hub) and this causes the wheel to vibrate/shudder (usually at speed).

Hmmm ... tough one if you've already checked all bushes etc - did you check the rubbers in the back of the radius arms? Could be them also ...

Doesn't sound like steering damper if it's not leaking an is still firm through the stroke ...

[RB GQ]

hi guys ,i had this problem with my old mq and it turned out to be the *relay arm assembly*worn out maybe worth checking out,hold the relay arm housing and the lever on the bottom and get someone to wiggle the steering wheel you can feel if there is any slack in the bushes,i got one from the wreckers bolted it on and no more wobble,hope it helps someone,cheers