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P38 Death Wobble

13K views 14 replies 13 participants last post by  95classiclwb 
#1 ·
We have owned our P38 for 15 years and it has never let us down. But at the end of last year we experienced what a lot of people refer to as the death wobble which happens when you hit a bump in the road when doing approx 50mph.

It has now been in the LR specialist garage for the last 3 months and has left them scratching their heads and us losing the will to live as we cannot seem to find out what the problem is. We have read a lot of online posts relating to this issue and have carried out the following work to the car:

Uprated Steering damper
Panhard, Anti Roll Bar, Radius Arm and rear trailing arm bushes
Hub swivel joints
Lower steering column replaced
Drag link replaced
Track rod and ends replaced
Steering box adjusted
Free play adjusted
Tracking and wheel balancing done
Abs sensors replaced
Wheels changed back to 18" - another set also tried
Pinion bearing checked
Brake discs checked
Wheel bearings checked
Propshaft checked

After all this the problem is still there, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
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#4 ·
Mine suffered with that after I fitted 2 new tyres to the rear and left 2 1/2 worn on the front, it would wander and wobble after hitting a bump in the road and the tram lines on the motorway were terrible. not a fun experience.

Since fitting 2 new tyres to the front it is a new car, 10k and haven't had a single wobble or wander.
 
#5 ·
death wobbles is caused buy wheel balance (dynamic balance to be precise) actual name for it is called wheel shimming, put front wheels on the back, back on front of cause , this is a temporary fix only, you need to buy new tyres keep them balanced
PS try getting front wheels dynamic balanced it may work depends on how much damage has been done to tyres , they have worn unevenly due to poor balance.
 
#8 ·
I agree with balance and shocks. I had it at 50 mph but got new tires , shocks(frt) and balance at same time , no more wobble. Also check the internet for a roadmaster, thrustmaster I cant remember the name but it is the best balancing machine. Firestone uses it.
Good luck
 
#12 ·
Hi, I had this problem with my P38 (now sold but still on the road). I'd replaced all of the things you have but the problem persisted. I was told that it was the ball joints and as there was measurable play on the offside so these were replaced but I still had the problem. The nearside had been checked by 2 garages and both said it was ok. I decided to check myself and using a jemmy bar I found there was a minute amount of play !! So back to the LR specialist to have them replaced and this cured the problem.

So check you ball joints very carefully.
 
#13 ·
I am going through this right now as well. I had the ball joints replaced, they needed it per a LR mechanic. The drag link and steering stabilizer was done as well. It was still there. I run snow tires in the winter and just had them road force balanced last week. It is much better now. They said the first 2 were 2 oz off and they did not even check the second 2. While doing this they also found a small wobble in one wheel. You cannot see it but the road force balance picked it up. I had a spare wheel at home and brought it in. It balanced right up and it is much smoother now. I am going to check my shocks next. The PO told me they were good but who knows, better to check them out.
 
#14 ·
My panhard rod bolts had were worn down within bushing. Should be very little wiggle room. Between both bushings, gave me 1/4 of play and a clunking sound on hard turns. It's so true that everything needs to be tight on the front end. Alignment, tire pressure very important. I use 28psI on front (19in) wheels. It's a process of elimation......
 
#15 ·
with so many components to a front end, the aging of the vehicles, daily use, wear and tear, not to mention road condition, a small
amount of play can wreak havoc with amplitude.
this can stump the most experienced of technicians with nickel and dime costs of this and that looking for a solution. it is difficult to convince a customer but often the best and most economical solution is to overhaul the front end and renew all related components.
keep in mind all the forces fighting each other when a vehicle is driven, up and down at different rates and forces, right and left g forces, impacts, front and rear absorption, rotational, etc.
 
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