TANK SLAPPING! steering Mania

ciderman · May 18, 2011

Help!
i have spent 2 days removing a huge hydraulic winch off an early series 3 with parabolic springs and 235/85 BFG tyres.
the lady owner reports mad side to side steering slap on moving off at a right or left lock. She has smashed her elbow and i have seen the bruises.
What on earth is the cause of this? It is reported as a bit like tank slapping on a bike...
the winch and tank probably put 150/200kg on the front end as a load which is now not there.
ideas?

1396midget · May 18, 2011

jamming/ sticky front axle UJs? or a mad spring in the steering box. Has it got FWH?

Home Guard · May 18, 2011

Could it have had uprated springs on the front for the winch, causing all the steering rods to be too short?

oxides · May 19, 2011

The extra weight might have caused/covered up wear in the swivels - the preloading on the Railko bushes is supposed to generate some steering damping, but it's a complicated steering system with lots of opportunity for wear - slackness can cause osciillation.

V8jon · May 19, 2011

This is a common problem on series landys known as the "Death wobble" and the only way to stop it when it starts is to come to a complete standstill.
You need to check all the steering components for wear but it will probably need the bearings and bush in the swivels seeing to.

ciderman · May 19, 2011

thanks Guys, i will go and have a look tomorrow.
would a steering damper help? i had a less serious problem 6 years ago, fitted a damper and , well it made no difference!
thanks again.
the winch is on Fleabay now.

ciderman · May 19, 2011

oh and another point, it has parabolic springs and no FWH.
i also have no FWH 'cos the chap i bought them off on flebay still hasn't delivered them.
Steve; send me my hubs you wazzock!

TANK SLAPPING! steering Mania

ciderman

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1396midget

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Home Guard

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oxides

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V8jon

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ciderman

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ciderman

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