severe steering vibration

Hi, after many years of trundling about quite sweetly my 90 has developed an alarming vibration through the steering. It manifests itself only when BOTH wheels hit a bump or road undulation at the same time and only at speeds above 40mph. vibration is severe and does not disappear if the throttle is lifted or i accelerate. V strange. I have ordered 2 swivel service kits and a new steering damper but could it be shocks, bushes as well?.
Any ideas?. Andy

Could be UJ's

Yeah, when i pull it all apart i'll have look, but no rumbling or knockin whilst on the move

Check your wheels/tyres first. You could have one out of balance or a damaged tyre with a chunk out of it or something.

I'll try swapping them aound today see if that helps

UJ's - no way.

Try the usual suspects - and its usually a combination of these on an older car:

• Swivel pin wear/preload
• Steering damper
• Wheel balance
• Tracking
• Panhard rod bushes
• Ball joints
• Drop arm balljoint
• Steering box backlash

Did you find out what was causing the vibration? I have a 200TDI which has the same symptoms; i hit certain parts of my journey to and from work and the steering vibrates like a bugger. Once it gets going it's hard work stopping it.

I have adjusted the swivel pins setting them up correctly but that made no difference to the vibration. I am swapping back for front tyres now, doubt that is the problem. The steering damper is brand new. I did just notice the outside of my tyres on the front are worn substantially more than the inside.

Well, i think it the vibration is less severe having swapped the front and rear tyres. I'll get the tracking and toe in checked.

Had the same problem with my 200tdi, was the swivel pin bearings that were worn. Doesnt sound like uj's

Hi yeah I did get it sorted and it was a combination of lots of things: Here is what I did...... New ball joints and bushes on all steering rods etc, new pan hard rod and bushes new swivel pin housings, I got the teflon coated ones from Landrover, no more flaking chrome for me! I also spent ages setting the tension of the king pin bearings with a shim kit and some fishing scales. I was told that this is the crucial bit. I was amazed at how worn out every ball joint and especially the swivel bearings were. Please dont do what I did and a) Put the landy up on axle stands, remove the short half shaft then find that I'd parked too close to the fence to take out the long one!!!! duh...had to cut a hole in wooden fence!!! and b)When you put it back together mind all the seals etc, I skimped a bit and ended up with a blown seal and grease on the brake disc...thats fun at 50mph! Taught me to replace everything whilst it's apart. It was an absolute bitch to get everything undone after 20 odd years of attached crap but it was worth it. No more wandering, really precise steering etc. I imagine thats what a new one is like but I doubt I'll ever drive one! Took me a weekend to do it all, easy once it's all apart and clean. Good luck! Regards Andy