Death Wobble

[skinnydipper]

I followed this procedure for the swivel pins: http://www.***.hiof.no/~frodehaa/swivelpinpreload.htm

It seems to have fixed the death wobble when I hit bumps at speed (55 to 65 mph). But I am still getting the death wobble when braking at speed (55 to 65 mph).

I am driving a 97 Disco with 120,000. Just replaced all the shocks and steering stabilizer this last weekend. Also checked the swivel pin pre-load and all was still correct. It only happens when I brake, and does not happen if I lightly pump the brakes or coast to below 55 mph before braking. At lower speeds, the brakes surge slightly.

I should note that I had the front rotors and pads changed about a year ago. The shop did a crap job, they used an impact gun and tightened the lug nuts so tight I had to use a breaker bar with a long pipe to break them loose. Needless to say, they warped my new rotors. When I was adjusting the swivel pin pre-load, I had to put a cheater bar on a breaker bar to loosen the bolts holding on the calipers.

Any ideas? Should I just take it a front end shop and have everything checked, aligned, and adjusted?

 

[joey]

Could be the warped rotors.

 

[skinnydipper]

Thanks Joey. That was my first conclusion also, but the shaking is extremely violent at 55 to 65 mph and does not let up if I let off the brake pedal or speed up. At low mph the brakes surge.

Could it be the front drive shaft? Should I try removing the driveshaft and see what happens?

 

[joey]

Have you changed the Panhard rod bushings?

 

[voltaire1102]

The problem you are referring to is very common with Jeep Wranglers with large after market tires. I never had the problem with my Jeep but I know several guys that did have the problem. In almost all cases it was tires out of balance or a front-end in need of alignment. If you have larger than stock tires, I would start there.

 

[skinnydipper]

Have you changed the Panhard rod bushings?

No I haven't. I'll give that a try next. I'm going to try to get teh Disco into the shop tomorrow to have the rotors turned.

 

[skinnydipper]

The problem you are referring to is very common with Jeep Wranglers with large after market tires. I never had the problem with my Jeep but I know several guys that did have the problem. In almost all cases it was tires out of balance or a front-end in need of alignment. If you have larger than stock tires, I would start there.

Nope, tires are slightly oversized but not large at all. I'll get a front end alignment and wheel balance after changing the panhard bushings though just to be sure. Thanks!

 

[skinnydipper]

Should I just get teh kit and change them all?

http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/9721.cfm

 

[joey]

Wouldn't hurt anything... I can say they are probably worn out.