Unstable front end - Land Rovers Only

bth4 · 05-31-2007, 07:01 AM

I have a '97 Discovery that has a stability problem in the front end. When I'm traveling at higher speeds (65 mph+) and hit a bump, the front end shakes really bad. The shaking continues until I slow down, and then everything smooths back out. I was talking to a mechanic (not a Land Rover mechanic) and he said that the Discovery has an electronic stabilizer in the front end, and that it sounds as if something is malfunctioning with that. Is that true? And if so, does that sound like an accurate diagnosis? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

stevenr · 05-31-2007, 07:08 AM

Don't go back to that mechanic as he doesn't know anything about Land Rovers. Your problem is common and there are several different contributers.

It will be one of these things:

- Tires out of balance
- bad steering dampner
- worn panhard rod bushings
- front shock(s)
- Swivel pin preload is nil

Those are in order from easiest/cheapest to check. Do searches on hear or discoweb on "death Wobble".

Good luck!

bth4 · 05-31-2007, 07:44 AM

Thanks for your help...I didn't have a lot of confidence in what that mechanic was telling me.

I have already had the tires balanced...I will begin checking the other things.

KevinNY · 05-31-2007, 07:50 AM

I am 99.5% sure it is your swivel bearing preload. Get it fixed now, it will only get worse. There is a reason it is called "Death Wobble".

01001010 · 05-31-2007, 02:13 PM

Dear God...an "electronic stabalizer"!!! Thank the LORD we DON'T have one of those!

cdcom · 05-31-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01001010

Dear God...an "electronic stabalizer"!!! Thank the LORD we DON'T have one of those!

Yeah... Sounds expensive...

96owner · 05-31-2007, 04:35 PM

For me it was the panhard bushings so thats a good bet and dos any car have a electronic stabalizer?!?!?!?

roverandom · 06-01-2007, 01:01 AM

Oh yes, and this guy ("not a Rover mechanic") will be happy to change it for you ! He can also lube your lug nuts, top up your seat heater fluid and balance your brake's !

roverandom · 06-01-2007, 01:33 AM

The "not a Rover mechanic" has most likely mixed up what he assumes is a fault with a electronic stability control program ( a function of some ABS systems ) found on most new cars, with a mechanical fault. Too often mechanics blame the electronic nannies on newer cars and forget to check the basics. This is especialy true when they are dealing with oddball makes like your Land Rover. Some Guys don't have the balls (or the wit) to fess up, say they don't know and open a manual. They would rather give you a BS answer to make it sound as though they know what they are talking about to get the work and goose up the bill later. Fixing minivans, Fords and Chevys all day takes its toll. You should go back to this shop and tear this guy a new one for endangering you and your Rover. Had you ended up in the ditch as a result of him fixing your "electronic stablizer" it would be his ass on the line.

05-31-2007, 07:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
bth4 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 10 Gallery: 0	Unstable front end I have a '97 Discovery that has a stability problem in the front end. When I'm traveling at higher speeds (65 mph+) and hit a bump, the front end shakes really bad. The shaking continues until I slow down, and then everything smooths back out. I was talking to a mechanic (not a Land Rover mechanic) and he said that the Discovery has an electronic stabilizer in the front end, and that it sounds as if something is malfunctioning with that. Is that true? And if so, does that sound like an accurate diagnosis? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

05-31-2007, 07:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
stevenr Steven Ratajczyk Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cleveland, TN Posts: 155 Gallery: 0	Don't go back to that mechanic as he doesn't know anything about Land Rovers. Your problem is common and there are several different contributers. It will be one of these things: - Tires out of balance - bad steering dampner - worn panhard rod bushings - front shock(s) - Swivel pin preload is nil Those are in order from easiest/cheapest to check. Do searches on hear or discoweb on "death Wobble". Good luck! __________________ Steven Ratajczyk '99 Disco 1 with stripes

05-31-2007, 07:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
KevinNY Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Guilderland, NY Posts: 786 Gallery: 0	I am 99.5% sure it is your swivel bearing preload. Get it fixed now, it will only get worse. There is a reason it is called "Death Wobble". __________________ "The Goat",1973 Series III coil conversion, Daihatsu 2.8 Td, power steering, dual ARBs Etc. '91 RRC, bone stock

05-31-2007, 02:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
01001010 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 4,543 Gallery: 15	Dear God...an "electronic stabalizer"!!! Thank the LORD we DON'T have one of those! __________________ JC... 1996 Discovery SE - The Blue Marlin - gone =( 1965 Series IIa 109 RHD 2.25L Dsl - Wilks 1965 Series IIa 88' LHD 2.25L Petrol - Fionna

05-31-2007, 04:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
96owner Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 527 Gallery: 0	For me it was the panhard bushings so thats a good bet and dos any car have a electronic stabalizer?!?!?!? __________________ Delaware Mother******! 1996 Disco Myspace mods: OME HD lift (thaks max) zombie

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05-31-2007, 07:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
bth4 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 10 Gallery: 0	Thanks for your help...I didn't have a lot of confidence in what that mechanic was telling me. I have already had the tires balanced...I will begin checking the other things.

06-01-2007, 01:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
roverandom Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada. Posts: 402 Gallery: 0	Oh yes, and this guy ("not a Rover mechanic") will be happy to change it for you ! He can also lube your lug nuts, top up your seat heater fluid and balance your brake's !

06-01-2007, 01:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
roverandom Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada. Posts: 402 Gallery: 0	The "not a Rover mechanic" has most likely mixed up what he assumes is a fault with a electronic stability control program ( a function of some ABS systems ) found on most new cars, with a mechanical fault. Too often mechanics blame the electronic nannies on newer cars and forget to check the basics. This is especialy true when they are dealing with oddball makes like your Land Rover. Some Guys don't have the balls (or the wit) to fess up, say they don't know and open a manual. They would rather give you a BS answer to make it sound as though they know what they are talking about to get the work and goose up the bill later. Fixing minivans, Fords and Chevys all day takes its toll. You should go back to this shop and tear this guy a new one for endangering you and your Rover. Had you ended up in the ditch as a result of him fixing your "electronic stablizer" it would be his ass on the line.

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