| Author | Message | ||
     Rich Zellmer (Personalt) New Member Username: Personalt Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2002 |
My 1999 Disco one started something new this weekend. When traveling above 30 mph and I hit it bump from time to time the front end starts to shake/shimmy. This can be from a mini-pot hole to something bigger. The solution is to take my foot of the gas and tap the brake to slowdown. To me the vibration feels like the car is out of alignment but since it happens mainly after bumps I was thinking more suspension.. I assume these are the original shocks and the car has 55K on it. I dont believe the car was ever taken off road. Would that be a good starting point? Is there a way I can test if the shocks are bad myself? | ||
| Joseph C (Condorwatch2) New Member Username: Condorwatch2 Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2003 |
For a rough test of the shocks of my '96D1, I pressed down on the rear bumper platform with my foot to see if it would sort of bounce up and down. I needed to change the shocks at about 80K, time consuming but not too technically difficult to do since the shocks and springs are separately mounted, at least on the 1996 version - don't know if that changed in subsequent years. | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 771 Registered: 08-2002 |
Sounds like the steering dampner. | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 450 Registered: 06-2002 |
If when you hit a bump or pot hole and the wheel shaks like crazy it is your steering dampner but I had the same problem and I replaced my shocks and spring first and that made a dramatic improovment and the dampner fixed it. | ||
| Jon Bowers (Jonbowers7) New Member Username: Jonbowers7 Post Number: 39 Registered: 07-2002 |
My 97 w/ 70k did the EXACT same thing, I'd have to jack on the brakes and slow down to get it to stop. The first time it happened, it scared the shyt out of me. I replaced the shocks, steering damper(OME) and got it aligned and it's been great ever since.. Jon | ||
| Brian Friend (Brianfriend) Senior Member Username: Brianfriend Post Number: 563 Registered: 09-2002 |
I'd check steering dampner. | ||
| Alan Stuart (Alan_s) New Member Username: Alan_s Post Number: 13 Registered: 03-2003 |
I have to respectfully disagree that that problem is caused by the steering damper. A good damper will hide problems like this, but will not take care of the root problem. I would first check the ball joints--you have four of them-- and then the panhard rod bushings. Could also be the swivel pin preload needs adjusting. My money is on the ball joints. (But then, what do I know? I can't even fix my brakes!) Regards, Alan Stuart | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 100 Registered: 01-2003 |
Also check your steering gear box. My buddy's 98 d1 had the same issues, we changed everything, dampener, shocks, all front end bushings, front driveshaft, balanced tires and aligned the truck. Turned out to be the steering box gearing had to much play for adjustment. His truck had 62k miles and the only fix was to replace the steering box. | ||
| dareDVL (Daredvl) New Member Username: Daredvl Post Number: 11 Registered: 03-2003 |
How expensive is steering gear box? | ||
| Bill Bettridge (Billb) Senior Member Username: Billb Post Number: 721 Registered: 02-2002 |
My vote is swivel preload - all the other are possible to - but preload is free to check and adjust Bill | ||
| Steve Hinton (Steve_h) New Member Username: Steve_h Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2003 |
I had that exact same problem with my '98. I know this sounds weird, but it turned out to be the tires were out of balance. I got the tires balanced and the problem went away, but it did return once the tires were worn out. I got new tires and no problems. If that doesn't work mabey check the panhard rod bushing. | ||
| Rich Zellmer (Personalt) New Member Username: Personalt Post Number: 31 Registered: 11-2002 |
I would think tires out of balance could certainly give a speed related shake/shimmy.. But would out of balance tires give a shimmy when you hit a bump? | ||
| Ted Chestnut (Tedchestnut) Member Username: Tedchestnut Post Number: 60 Registered: 08-2002 |
steering dampner. my friends jeep would jsut about fall apart if it hit a small bump at 35mph. new steering dampner and it rides fine now. | ||
| Jess Alvarez (Jester) Member Username: Jester Post Number: 138 Registered: 11-2002 |
It could be the steering dampner, I agree, but on another angle, I just recently had that same general problem. Check the panhard rod bushings. Mine was shot. Have someone turn the wheel while you are under the car, adn you should see the panhard rod move irregularly where the bushing is. | ||
| Chuck McGovern (Chuckster) New Member Username: Chuckster Post Number: 37 Registered: 09-2002 |
I had the exact same problem, and I vote for the panhard rod bushings. I did replace the steering dampener at the same time, but the old one seemed OK... Smooth sailing now... Check em out, Chuckster |
