Violent shaking on bumps at high speed.

[Dubv1980]

The title says it all. When I'm on the highway and hit a bump sometimes the truck will start to shake violently, and I have to slow down to 40 or so to get it to calm back down again. A buddy of mine has suggested worn tie rod ends? Before I pull the trigger on those, anyone else have any ideas. The steering dampener is new, and the tires show no odd wear.

Chris

PS-This is in a '91 Range Rover Classic Hunter

[phoenix]

panhard rod bushings

[KevinNY]

It is called Death Wobble, you need to check all of your bushings but mainly it is the result of insuficient swivel bearing preload. There are shims under the swivel posts held down by the 2 bolts on top of each swivel ball. They are very thin and removing even a single .050 or .010 shim can solve the problem.

[I Leak Oil]

Ditto on Kevin's thoughts. Check all the steering components for slop but most likely it's the swivel pre-load.
Jason T.

[Dubv1980]

Thanks

I will check out the bolts/shims tonight. Thank you guys.

Chris

[Dubv1980]

DOne...we'll see

Ok, so I did as instructed and removed the shims...I haven't driven it yet though..the proof will be in the shaking, or lack their of.
None of the other track bar, tie rods, etc, seemed loose when I tried to shake them, so who knows, hopefully this was it. Is there any evidence when you take the swivel ball bolts out that the shims need to be removed, or do you just noticed the change when they are gone?

Chris

[KevinNY]

No one said remove ALL of the shims, remove 1 of the thinest ones. Did you measure them with a dial caliper? Time to buy a manual.

[Dubv1980]

Ooops

I didn't remove them all, I took two thin ones out of each side, leaving the one thick one on each side...I took it for a drive this evening..seemed ok. What would happen if I had removed too much..what would I notice?

Chris

[KevinNY]

Increase wear on the swivel pins, if the problem is gone you are probably OK.

[marymary]

same thing with my 93

I have had the same problem with my 93 classic lwb...picking it up tomorrow...I have been told there is something behind the hub that holds fluid and was dry.....will know tomorrow. I am taking your postings in to discuss....thank you.

[Dubv1980]

Hmm..

Ideally they didn't charge you too much, it took me about an hour. The swivel balls tend to seep and dry out if you don't look after them...that could have caused a little groaning if they were dry. Again, thats about 5 bucks worth of 90 weight oil to fix that. Ideally it comes back happy.

Chris