Shaking at 70-90km/h

Hi guys.

I can see that this problem has been posted before, but not quite simular to mine.

I got a 89' defender 90 that shakes in fourth and fifth gear through the steering wheel and in the car. If I press the clutch pedal and let it roll its fine.

I tried to grease up the UJ but with minimum effect.

I also tried to move the steering wheel to see any slack, but also nothing.

Anyone tried this and found the cause?

I tend to find that speed-specific vibrations occur when my propshaft universal joints are wearing out. If you can detect any slack when you wobble them this may be the problem. Whilst greasing things is a good idea generally, by the time they start getting slack, it's time for new ones.

There are a great many other things that can vibrate on a Land Rover, of course, but that's where I'd start.

You could take the front prop off and drive without it, see if the vibration is still there.
If it is then put it back on and remove the rear and try again.
Also engine mounts, gearbox mounts and just about anything else on the drive train.

raabythomsen said:

Hi guys.

I can see that this problem has been posted before, but not quite simular to mine.

I got a 89' defender 90 that shakes in fourth and fifth gear through the steering wheel and in the car. If I press the clutch pedal and let it roll its fine.

I tried to grease up the UJ but with minimum effect.

I also tried to move the steering wheel to see any slack, but also nothing.

Anyone tried this and found the cause?

Click to expand...

Which is the trigger for it - a certain revs in 4th or 5th, or alternatively at a particular speed? In either case can you keep accelerating and make it go away? And it stops the instant you dip the clutch?

Its only in 4th and 5th. Its does not seem to be at the same speed al the time. I gets worse if you go uphill. But it almost fades out if you drive faster. But if completely stops if you press the clutch down

boguing said:

Which is the trigger for it - a certain revs in 4th or 5th, or alternatively at a particular speed? In either case can you keep accelerating and make it go away? And it stops the instant you dip the clutch?

Click to expand...

Its only in 4th and 5th. Its does not seem to be at the same speed al the time. I gets worse if you go uphill. But it almost fades out if you drive faster. But if completely stops if you press the clutch down

easy check to do

while lying under the front of the vehicle looking at the panhard rod join to the chassis or axle - get someone to slowly turn the steering right to left - like from 11 o clock to 2 o clock - that is off course left to right but then i am upside down in my hemisphere

u shouldn't see more than a 1 mm of movement

if that passes the test then seek advice from someone who is at least in the northern hemisphere

I think I'd go with @Brown on the UJs. Have you tried twisting them? And the sliding joints while you're there. If you can detect the slightest movement then try removing one at a time as suggested by @Anaconda.

Also think UJs most likely, either badly worn [ easy to find using checks above] or one with a journal that is seizing up. One that is hot after a drive a sure sign.

I can tell when my propshaft joints are getting loose because I get vibration at about 50 mph. So I would be in 4th or 5th at the time because with anything lower the engine would be screaming! Other vehicles may vary of course, but that's what happens on mine.