94 Disco, shuttering at highway speed Help!! - Land Rovers Only

cdr146 · 04-07-2005, 02:41 PM

hi first post here, i have a 94 disco with 103k, have owned about 6 months. could not be happier. but today i was on an interstate, and as i approached 70mph, there was a "shaking" or "shuttering" and the steering wheel began to vibrate pretty severely. i thought i had a flat tire, but after taking an exit and slowing down, the shaking completely went away, and didn't show up the rest of my trip. any thoughts on what this could be? also seems to be downshifting rather hard, had tranny fluid changed about 4k miles ago which seemed to result in very smooth shifts, now shifting is getting hard again. any help would be appreciated. thanks.

aussie disco97 · 04-07-2005, 05:17 PM

With the "shuttering check out the bolt that conects the panhard rod to the front diff. these tend to flog out and cause the diff to get sideways movement. Easiest way to check it is lay on floor in front of vehicle and get someone to move steering wheel from side to side, check for movement at the panhard end. If the hole for the bolt is bashed out of shape get the correct size washer and a new(high tensile) bolt and when they are fitted tack weld the washer to the panhard rod. Hope this helps.

scotth · 04-07-2005, 07:21 PM

I have a 99 disco 2 and mine started shaking and shuttering at 75 but only around 75. At 70 or 80 it would stop. I took mine to the dealership and they ended up replacing the front driveshaft for $650. The u-joints were bad and you have to replace the whole driveshaft. Mine only had 60,000 miles on it.

ilovemydisco · 04-07-2005, 08:23 PM

have what the folks ahead of me said checked and if that's not it check the swivel preload and swivel seals, over time they loosen up and cause vibration and shaking at highway speeds - it's about a $600 fix through an independent mechanic so stay away from the stealership if you can! good luck

Toddicus · 04-07-2005, 10:09 PM

as a cheaper alternative, i would check your tire tread, is the choppy and uneven? thats usually found at around 70mph....

driveshaft can usually be found at 45mph and 70mph...

Jorge · 04-12-2005, 04:47 PM

I had a similar shake in my 94 Disco @ 70 mph. Just replaced the tires - smooth as silk.

aussie disco97 · 04-12-2005, 05:27 PM

I would have thought the tyre balance and condition would have been checked before asking a question on the forum, but I suppose we take things for granted.

Hank · 04-13-2005, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotth

I took mine to the dealership and they ended up replacing the front driveshaft for $650. The u-joints were bad and you have to replace the whole driveshaft. Mine only had 60,000 miles on it.

Sorry, but you got robbed. The driveshaft is rebuildable. In fact, it uses standered Spicer u-joints avaliable from Napa. The "center kit" is not listed as a "land rover" item, rather a Dodge....Or, you could have gotten a Tom Woods, or GBR shaft for less money, and had a better shaft, FWIW...

Adam in NYC USA · 04-13-2005, 10:39 AM

Check the balancing on your wheels. If you have those stick on weights, the adhesive might have failed and you are now expierencing the out-of-balance condition.

Good luck and let us know.

Adam in NYC

aussie disco97 · 04-13-2005, 08:18 PM

Let us know what the problem was when you finally fix it.

jazzboe · 04-14-2005, 06:03 AM

Had a very similar problem with my '98 Disco - had Toyo tyres on it. Replaced these with Michie's and everthing is as smooth as a babies butt..

Hank · 04-30-2005, 08:04 AM

Any update?

cdr146 · 04-30-2005, 10:33 AM

Having tires rotated and balanced as well as alignment checked. Tires are new Michelin, only about 10k miles on them so I'm pretty sure it is a suspension issue. After reading posts here and looking through the Haynes repair manual, I believe it is the Panhard Rod, either the bushings need replaced, or the bolts have started to rub the mounting bracket. I will know tomorrow for sure, thanks for everybodys help in the diagnosing.

Paul Jordan · 05-03-2005, 12:58 AM

I have a 2004 with 18" wheels and I hate the way the front end steers. Whilst trying to solve my problem, I have come across quite a few remedies. The one that may suit you is that you balance the wheels on the car. I can at times feel an imbalance with mine when I hit a bump at speed. Might be worth a try.

aussie disco97 · 05-03-2005, 06:17 AM

Hi CDR 146,
Another thing that is worth checking on higher milage Disco1 (which are the best by the way) is the shockies. The problem is with vehicles with high degrees of articulation they knock the hell out of the shockie and bushes so check they don't need replacing. If they do go for gas charged shockies they give heaps less body roll and the same amount of articulation I put on old man emu shockies and found them brilliant.

04-07-2005, 02:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
cdr146 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 4 Gallery: 0	94 Disco, shuttering at highway speed Help!! hi first post here, i have a 94 disco with 103k, have owned about 6 months. could not be happier. but today i was on an interstate, and as i approached 70mph, there was a "shaking" or "shuttering" and the steering wheel began to vibrate pretty severely. i thought i had a flat tire, but after taking an exit and slowing down, the shaking completely went away, and didn't show up the rest of my trip. any thoughts on what this could be? also seems to be downshifting rather hard, had tranny fluid changed about 4k miles ago which seemed to result in very smooth shifts, now shifting is getting hard again. any help would be appreciated. thanks.

04-07-2005, 08:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
ilovemydisco Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mpls, Minnesota Posts: 70 Gallery: 0	have what the folks ahead of me said checked and if that's not it check the swivel preload and swivel seals, over time they loosen up and cause vibration and shaking at highway speeds - it's about a $600 fix through an independent mechanic so stay away from the stealership if you can! good luck __________________ ~Erica~

04-07-2005, 10:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Toddicus Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bay Area, Cali Posts: 78 Gallery: 0	as a cheaper alternative, i would check your tire tread, is the choppy and uneven? thats usually found at around 70mph.... driveshaft can usually be found at 45mph and 70mph... __________________ 1997 Disco SE -Forest Green K&N Air Induction System RoverTek Performance Computer BORLA Exhaust System OME H/D Shocks 31'' Good Year Wrangler MT Tires RoverTym 2'' Lift Springs Kenwood MP3 Player Kenwood 800W Amp 2 10' JL AUDIO Sub's In Custom Box In Car DVD System W/ 3 6.5'' Monitors 1990 Nissan Twin Turbo 300ZX 700HP 1992 Nissan Non Turbo 300ZX 300HP

04-13-2005, 10:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
Adam in NYC USA The Urban Motorist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 958 Gallery: 0	Sounds like you may have thrown a weight.... Check the balancing on your wheels. If you have those stick on weights, the adhesive might have failed and you are now expierencing the out-of-balance condition. Good luck and let us know. Adam in NYC

04-30-2005, 10:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
cdr146 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 4 Gallery: 0	Have and appointment tomorrow.... Having tires rotated and balanced as well as alignment checked. Tires are new Michelin, only about 10k miles on them so I'm pretty sure it is a suspension issue. After reading posts here and looking through the Haynes repair manual, I believe it is the Panhard Rod, either the bushings need replaced, or the bolts have started to rub the mounting bracket. I will know tomorrow for sure, thanks for everybodys help in the diagnosing.

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04-07-2005, 05:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
aussie disco97 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 72 Gallery: 0	With the "shuttering check out the bolt that conects the panhard rod to the front diff. these tend to flog out and cause the diff to get sideways movement. Easiest way to check it is lay on floor in front of vehicle and get someone to move steering wheel from side to side, check for movement at the panhard end. If the hole for the bolt is bashed out of shape get the correct size washer and a new(high tensile) bolt and when they are fitted tack weld the washer to the panhard rod. Hope this helps.

04-07-2005, 07:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
scotth Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: south carolina usa Posts: 144 Gallery: 0	I have a 99 disco 2 and mine started shaking and shuttering at 75 but only around 75. At 70 or 80 it would stop. I took mine to the dealership and they ended up replacing the front driveshaft for $650. The u-joints were bad and you have to replace the whole driveshaft. Mine only had 60,000 miles on it.

04-12-2005, 04:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jorge Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7 Gallery: 0	I had a similar shake in my 94 Disco @ 70 mph. Just replaced the tires - smooth as silk.

04-12-2005, 05:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
aussie disco97 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 72 Gallery: 0	I would have thought the tyre balance and condition would have been checked before asking a question on the forum, but I suppose we take things for granted.

04-13-2005, 08:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
aussie disco97 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 72 Gallery: 0	Let us know what the problem was when you finally fix it.

04-14-2005, 06:03 AM	#11 (permalink)
jazzboe Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4 Gallery: 0	Had a very similar problem with my '98 Disco - had Toyo tyres on it. Replaced these with Michie's and everthing is as smooth as a babies butt..

04-30-2005, 08:04 AM	#12 (permalink)
Hank Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: VA Posts: 914 Gallery: 0	Any update?

05-03-2005, 12:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
Paul Jordan Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Musk Creek Victoria Australia Posts: 3 Gallery: 0	I have a 2004 with 18" wheels and I hate the way the front end steers. Whilst trying to solve my problem, I have come across quite a few remedies. The one that may suit you is that you balance the wheels on the car. I can at times feel an imbalance with mine when I hit a bump at speed. Might be worth a try.

05-03-2005, 06:17 AM	#15 (permalink)
aussie disco97 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 72 Gallery: 0	Hi CDR 146, Another thing that is worth checking on higher milage Disco1 (which are the best by the way) is the shockies. The problem is with vehicles with high degrees of articulation they knock the hell out of the shockie and bushes so check they don't need replacing. If they do go for gas charged shockies they give heaps less body roll and the same amount of articulation I put on old man emu shockies and found them brilliant.

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