Help: Violent steering vibration

[Ruben]

Hi all,

I need some help please with my 1999 Patrol 4.5 and the violent steering vibration I get when I brake at speed.
I don't experience the vibration during normal driving in town, but I get a fright when I drive through a pass going to the lowveld.

So generally it gets violent even at slow speed when I brake hard on a DOWNHILL.

What could this be?

Thanks
Ruben

[Peter Connan]

Check if the brake disks are true.

Also, check for play in the steering ball joints and the panhard rod bushes.

[Clem]

Do as Peter says to start with. Sounds like the so-called "death wobble" that is common to solid front axle machines. Could be a number of different things that cause it but most likely as Peter says.

[Ruben]

Thank you Peter and Clem.

I will try to do as you have advised.

Regards,
Ruben

[Andre Steyn]

Also check the bushes which hold the diff in place x4 and the steering shock, I have the same issue on my pick up. Changed everything including kingpin shims, its better but not gone, still need to change the steering shock.

[Tony]

Interesting, I had the "death wobble" issue, but only when reaching around the 110 km/h mark - that was sorted with new tyres as well as a replacement steering damper. The braking issue I have also experienced, and I can still feel a slight wobble on fast downhills - not sure that the tyres and damper sorted that one out though because it's been a long time since i've driven fast enough downhill and needed to brake, but the 1st thing everyone wants to check are the front discs to see that they are even on both sides and do not need to be skimmed.

[Clem]

By the way Ruben, the Panhard rod to diff mounting bolt must be as tight as you can get it. I typically use two large Gedore spanners, fitting the jaw of one through the eye of the other to be able to get enough leverage.

[Kagiso II]

do a search on "Death Wobble" -- there are some like 110 posts on it.. Steering wobble / death shimmy / and similar titles had been used .. with lots n lots n lots of discussions on the subject .. FRANS made some good replies, Peter Connan and some such .. ignore mine, I just gorrel along to amuse you okes ... mostly