Can a bad steering stabilizer cause wheel shake?

[wturner]

I am getting some pretty bad wheel shakes at around 35 - 40 mph. The back and fourth type sorta like when you push a shopping cart too fast and the front wheels go crazy.

I think I need an alignment anyway, but I am wondering if a new steering stabilizer could fix a lot?

I think I'll buy a new OME stabilizer...who has the best price?

 

[wturner]

Well...the stabilizer doesn't 'cause' wheel shake...what I should have said was

Can excessive wheel shake occur because the stabilizer is bad and doesn't prevent it?

Also, what exactly is this "Front bolt on steering stabilizer kit" from RTE?

http://www.rovertym.com/steering.htm

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

Check your tie rod ends and other steering linkages.
Have they ever been replaced?
Others may weigh in on things like swivel ball rebuids...

A new stabilizer won't fix the cause of the wobble.

That RTE kit relocates the stabilizer from behind and below the axle to in front of and above the axle, for increased ground clearance. It requires a Defender damper, which is a different OME part # than the Discovery damper.

 

[Paul K]

WTurner:

FWIW, I have a wobble at 40mph. I replaced my steering damper- absolutely no change.

Good luck!

Paul.

 

[rovercanus]

A new stabilizer would only mask the problem if it did anything at all.

 

[mapman97]

I had a pretty consistent shake at around 45 mph on certain road types. I changed the upper and lower ball joints (AB), steering damper (Bilstein), and all four shocks (Bilstein). All shakes and vibration are completely gone. Wow, what a difference in the ride. In addition, my gas mileage appears to have improved, also. Go figure.

The only downside is that my girlfriends boobs don't wobble and shake as we ride down the highway anymore. Oh well.

 

[WILL.TILLERY]

Are you tires wearing in any strange way...Like insides more/outsides more?

 

[wturner]

I don't notice any strange wear.

No, I haven't replaced anything in the front end ever.

I know I need an alignment and probably some new parts big time. This shake feels like it could get scary, so I need to get something done before something breaks and sends me off across a bunch of lanes...

 

[jrose609]

I had a pretty consistent shake at around 45 mph on certain road types. I changed the upper and lower ball joints (AB), steering damper (Bilstein), and all four shocks (Bilstein). All shakes and vibration are completely gone. Wow, what a difference in the ride. In addition, my gas mileage appears to have improved, also. Go figure.

The only downside is that my girlfriends boobs don't wobble and shake as we ride down the highway anymore. Oh well.

Can I have your old shocks and ball joints?

 

[mapman97]

Jason,

We destroyed two ball joints during the removal process. BFH at work. The remaining are very loose. Two shocks were leaking pretty bad, so I tossed them out.

 

[DemeraraDisco]

Jason,

We destroyed two ball joints during the removal process. BFH at work. The remaining are very loose. Two shocks were leaking pretty bad, so I tossed them out.

I think it was in jest that he wanted to replicate the "effects" (shaking boobs) of your old parts......

 

[p m]

Also, what exactly is this "Front bolt on steering stabilizer kit" from RTE?
http://www.rovertym.com/steering.htm

The stock LR steering damper location leaves it very vulnerable to ... stuff... Hence retrofitting of Disco/RRC with Defender-style, drag-link-mounted damper.

If anything, I'd say the drag link-mounted steering damper is less effective than tie rod-mounted; at the same time, if your wobble is caused by worn out tie rod ends, the front-mounted damper may mask the vibration on the steering wheel while doing absolutely nothing to dampen the shimmy.

 

[stevenr]

do a search for death wobble. could be (and likely) pinion preload.

Good luck!

 

[I HATE PONIES]

I had a pretty consistent shake at around 45 mph on certain road types. I changed the upper and lower ball joints (AB), steering damper (Bilstein), and all four shocks (Bilstein). All shakes and vibration are completely gone. Wow, what a difference in the ride. In addition, my gas mileage appears to have improved, also. Go figure.

The only downside is that my girlfriends boobs don't wobble and shake as we ride down the highway anymore. Oh well.

I believe changing the ball joints on the OP's truck would be incredibly difficult if not entirely impossible.

 

[flyfisher11]

Swivel pin bearings, preload, etc???

 

[Blue]

start with the most basic item....go get your tires balanced.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

start with the most basic item....go get your tires balanced.

bingo!!

if the shake happens at one certain speed it is almost always caused by tires.

But it also is showing other components that are worn and in need of attention.

 

[discograham]

Check caster angle of the front axle. If you have lifted the vehicle it could have altered the caster angle on the front axle causing it to shimmy.

Also older tires, even with good tread left can cause these shimmies. Sometimes the tires start coming apart on the inside without showing much on the outside.