Front end vibration

[Mayor]

Having a problem with a front end vibration where the steering wheel will shake for a few seconds. It only happens when at 60+mph and usually a small bump in the road will cause it. I've had this problem for a while.
6 months ago the tie rod ends, steering damper, and bushings were replaced and it was fine for a while. Then a month ago it started back....this time the vibration was worse than before! A local rover mechanic looked at it and replaced the front shocks and it's better, but it still happens every once and a while. The local mechanic said he does not know what it could be unless the steering damper has gone bad. Any ideas?
I've hopefully got someone else who can check it out next week.
Thanks,

J.
1995 RRC

[Paul Grant]

Well, you could move up to a firmer steering damper like a Bilstein and that might help to mask the problem but since you've done all the other things (bushings, TRE's, ect.) my guess is that you need to adjust the swivel pre-load. It might be as simple as removing a few shims and your steering will be good as new. The shims are between the swivel pin on top of the housing and the housing itself. If I'm not mistaken, pre-load is supposed to be around 12-14 lbs. but it's been years since I've had to make the adjustment.

[p76rangie]

The preload is only around 6 LB, but you are better taking it up a little further. I would also be checking the panhard rod bushes again.

Ian

[choffa@comcast.net]

Notorious problem. Another thing to check is the steering box play. Easily adjusted within limits. Too tight & it will become notchy.

Agree on all of the other items to check. Check this site for a good explanation of the problems:

http://www.rangerovers.net/rremedies.htm#shakes

http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdet...oxclassic.html

[RageRover]

This is just a wild guess, but what about the steering box? If the pitman arm threads are worn, couldn't that cause a vibration at bumps in the road at the speed stated?

Back at my college, my friend's 88 Chevy Truck was brought in, to replace all the tie rod ends, and upgrade the steering dampeners, to take the beating of the bigger 35"s he put on there. After test driving it, he too also had a problem where the steering would vibrate. We thought the wheels were off balance, but not by much. Test drives again, same thing continues. We bring it back in, and my friend looked at the steering box, and the pitman are, he moves it ever so slightly, and after replacing the whole steering box, and got a new pitman arm, problem was solved.

Just a suggestion.