steering or suspension problem?

Hi Can anyone shed any light on this problem with my 1989 90 county td.

When I drive a long and reach about 45/50 mph the steering wheel starts to vibrate and shudders left to right, I have looked out of the window at the front drivers wheel and it looks like it is wobbling. To be honest it feels like the front wheel is about to drop off. I have had the front wheels off and their doesn't seem to be any play in the steering and the wheels are all on tight. There is no unusual wear on the tyres and they are all fairly new.

Any thoughts.

thanks
Russell.

whelk balance??

Hi Slob,

I have had the balancing checked all round and they are all ok. I have moved the original front wheels to the back to make sure it isn't a wheel problem.

thanks
Russell.

have you checked the swivels??

Check yer ball joints too.

Regards WP.

no I haven't had checked these out. I am a very basic mechanic so I will have a look in the workshop manual and see what I can do. What is the basic function of the swivels?

thanks
Russell.

Check wheelbearings for tightness and the universals between steering wheel and steering box for wear Chris

didn't he say he'd checked the steering and all was tight

put yer whelks back on and grab then at the 6 and 12 o clock positions and give them a damm good wiggle. lets us know if there is any play in them

If its tight then he has a problem.

This is a problem common to all land rovers since 1948 and is caused by too complicated steering mechanism and general wear and tear. The major parts to check are tracking -wheel balance- All track rod ends -Rialko bearings -wheel bearings -steering box - steering universals -and the steering damper. This was rovers answer to the problem but if it is worn out it can actually help to cause it. Check each adjust or replace as needed. then when all os in order have the steering tracked. Do not try to accellerate out of a wheel wobble as it will get worse and you can loose control . Just slow down using engine breaking until it stops wobbling Hope you find this helpful Chris.

mm! thats a new one . can you explain to us dimbo's how a tight whelk bearing can cause the wheel to wobble??

Hi thanks for all the replies, I tried the "hold in 6 and 12 o clock positions and give them a damm good wiggle" when I changed the wheels over and there didn't seem to be any play.

Looks Like I am going to be busy this weekend.

Thanks
Russell.

dont forget the steering shaft universal joints.

right leave it on the ground and get some one to wiggle the steering whelk while you put yer hand on each and every joint in the steering system. ball joints on all steering rods etc.