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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 
Steering wobble and suspension ideas
Hello all, suspension has been covered from many angles before, but I can’t find the info I need. I’m looking for suspension and shocks recommendations to soften the ride for general use. No real off-road use required and no heavy towing, so it’s about comfort when lightly loaded. Most threads I read all mention off roading / towing / road driving balance / compromise. I also have steering wobble at low speed and also at 45-50 so I need to sort that out and I have vague steering generally. Last MOT by PO had steering linkage ball joint slight play at drop arm. Would that cause my issues? I’ve also seen the adjustment videos at the power steering box - I can rotate the steering linkage quite a lot so I guess that might be the low speed issue? Cheers.
Post #1028701 19th Mar 2024 9:03pm
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2522

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Steering wobble for me a couple of years back in that speed range you mentioned was the swivel pins.

At the same time i had the Gwyn Lewis drop arm kit installed. Both of which really tighten up the steering .
I don't use anti roll bars, and it sounds like you want the polar opposite to my suspension set up so hopefully someone else can help you with that.

Hope that helps in some way.
Post #1028703 19th Mar 2024 10:04pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 
Thanks, I heard good things about Glyn Lewis. My problem, as a novice, means I could change every joint, bush etc chasing simple enough faults. Thinking of going to a specialist for a once over. I’m looking for recommendations for local specialists to me in Somerset (ideally central county) but not essential if good value. Cheers.
Post #1028704 19th Mar 2024 10:12pm
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MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 325

United Kingdom 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
Second the swivel pins, 45 to 55. Shook sone then drove through it, worse on corners and over bumps.
Post #1028705 19th Mar 2024 10:14pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 
Sounds like a good place to start. Is it a DIY fix or at least diagnose?
Post #1028706 19th Mar 2024 10:27pm
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andylee



Member Since: 29 Jun 2016
Location: South East
Posts: 86

United Kingdom 
I have recently updated all my shocks to Old Man Emu and including the steering damper and replaced the springs with OEM standard factory ones (pricy but worth it) as they were sagging. I wouldn’t describe the ride as softer as its fairly choppy over pot holes and speed bumps as its a 90 but it sits firmly planted to the road and corners without much lean but I do also have front and rear roll bars as its a CSW. Overall the handling and ride is joyfull and so much improved than before.


From 4x4 works
M01SU10394A Old Man Emu 60037 OME Nitrocharger Sport Shock Absorber
OM01SU10395A Old Man Emu 60038 OME Nitrocharger Sport Shock Absorber

From Rimmer Bros for 90 CSW
NRC9447 - COIL SPRING GENUINE
NRC9448 - COIL SPRING GENUINE
NRC9449 - COIL SPRING GENUINE
NRC9446 - COIL SPRING GENUINE
Post #1028736 20th Mar 2024 10:57am
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 
Thanks Andy, very useful.

I've had a quick look underneath and although it's a bit mucky, i could see at least one of the shocks was Monroe and all the springs were black. Having quickly googled it and seeing the prices, it looks as though they are at the lower end of quality, not wishing to do them down, i'm sure they are perfectly functional, but it might explain some of my feelings about my set up and characteristics?

Another vote for OME, thank you.
Post #1028737 20th Mar 2024 11:13am
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andylee



Member Since: 29 Jun 2016
Location: South East
Posts: 86

United Kingdom 
No problem, I did a lot of research before committing so am aware of just how much conflicting information is available.
Just to add, when you do re doo your suspension I would recommend replacing the front Turrets with galvanised uprated parts and stainless/galv spring mounting hardware all available from YRM or Gwyn Lewis.
Post #1028747 20th Mar 2024 12:44pm
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Chris86



Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 755

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 110 Td5 USW Chawton White
Wobble
Do the easy things first.

- Are you 100% certain that your tyres are balanced well and wheels not buckled tyres bulged etc- if not get them balanced or borrow a set of wheels from someone see if it resolves the issue.

- If the Ball joints have play- just replace, they are cheap and relatively easy to do.

If the above doesn't resolve the issue, First port of call for me would be the swivels, followed by the panhard rod bushes.

Chris
Post #1028766 20th Mar 2024 3:34pm
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Chicken Drumstick



Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 544

United Kingdom 
Re: Steering wobble and suspension ideas
110Matty wrote:
Hello all, suspension has been covered from many angles before, but I can’t find the info I need. I’m looking for suspension and shocks recommendations to soften the ride for general use. No real off-road use required and no heavy towing, so it’s about comfort when lightly loaded. Most threads I read all mention off roading / towing / road driving balance / compromise. I also have steering wobble at low speed and also at 45-50 so I need to sort that out and I have vague steering generally. Last MOT by PO had steering linkage ball joint slight play at drop arm. Would that cause my issues? I’ve also seen the adjustment videos at the power steering box - I can rotate the steering linkage quite a lot so I guess that might be the low speed issue? Cheers.

What sort of wheels/tyres are you running? big offset and fat large tyres can make things worse, although should be fine with everything in good condition.

The pitman arm drop link ball joint is a likely cause, or the swivels. But check all the ball joints. Mostly this is all simple maintenance. But certainly worth checking your wheels are balanced too.

As for suspension upgrades. This depends on a lot.

Softer springs will ride better, but carry less. Good damping is also important. You can also look at changing the bushes. Polybush (the brand) offer a 'comfort' grade of bush replacement.

Do you have a 90 or 110?

Suspension will always be a compromise. Softer will mean more roll and wollow in the corners. Early Range Rovers are lightly sprung compared to a Ninety, despite being a bigger heavier vehicle. But this allows them to ride softer. But they are known for a lot of lean in the corners and used a self levelling unit on the rear to allow them to haul and tow safely.
Post #1028769 20th Mar 2024 4:39pm
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4RF RDS



Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 899

Canada 2000 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green
Strongly recommend OE or genuine springs for a smoother ride. I also chose to isolate the springs using the Disco 2 upper spring isolator instead of the steel Defender one. I also used the older Disco 1 isolator on the bottom of the front springs . The rear on a 110 are larger diameter and the Toyota Tacoma rear spring isolators fit to isolate the rear springs.

All this really smooths the ride of a 110 CSW. Same effect could be a achieved on a 90 using the Disco one front spring isolator top and bottom on rear springs. Also for a really smooth ride consider RRC springs.

Consider checking panhard rod bushes for your wobble. There should be zero play or movement. Also radius arm bushes wear with higher mileage and are hard to assess. There should also be zero movement.

Good luck

Springs resource and detailed information 👇🏻
http://www.red90.ca/rovers/springinfo.html

D2 spring isolator RBC100111
D1 spring isolator ANR2938

poly isolator for front springs 110 & 90 👇🏻
https://expeditionexchange.com/shop-all-pr...-ome80pf10

110 rear spring isolator👇🏻
https://expeditionexchange.com/shop-all-pr...-ome80pr10 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
Post #1028777 20th Mar 2024 5:22pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 
Re: Steering wobble and suspension ideas
Chicken Drumstick wrote:
110Matty wrote:
Hello all, suspension has been covered from many angles before, but I can’t find the info I need. I’m looking for suspension and shocks recommendations to soften the ride for general use. No real off-road use required and no heavy towing, so it’s about comfort when lightly loaded. Most threads I read all mention off roading / towing / road driving balance / compromise. I also have steering wobble at low speed and also at 45-50 so I need to sort that out and I have vague steering generally. Last MOT by PO had steering linkage ball joint slight play at drop arm. Would that cause my issues? I’ve also seen the adjustment videos at the power steering box - I can rotate the steering linkage quite a lot so I guess that might be the low speed issue? Cheers.

What sort of wheels/tyres are you running? big offset and fat large tyres can make things worse, although should be fine with everything in good condition.

The pitman arm drop link ball joint is a likely cause, or the swivels. But check all the ball joints. Mostly this is all simple maintenance. But certainly worth checking your wheels are balanced too.

As for suspension upgrades. This depends on a lot.

Softer springs will ride better, but carry less. Good damping is also important. You can also look at changing the bushes. Polybush (the brand) offer a 'comfort' grade of bush replacement.

Do you have a 90 or 110?

Suspension will always be a compromise. Softer will mean more roll and wollow in the corners. Early Range Rovers are lightly sprung compared to a Ninety, despite being a bigger heavier vehicle. But this allows them to ride softer. But they are known for a lot of lean in the corners and used a self levelling unit on the rear to allow them to haul and tow safely.


Hi, despite my name tag it’s a 90 so I know as a short wheelbase, the ride would be compromised by design. The alloys are KN Predators fitted with Cooper Discoverer ST Pro’s (265/80/r17). I’ll hardly be towing, so comfort is more important than load lugging capability/stability. If I do go for new springs / shocks / bushes as a comfort set up, would anti-roll bars help with controlling the lean? I’m thinking of having all joints and pins etc checked / replaced also.
Post #1028811 20th Mar 2024 8:43pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 

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Post #1028812 20th Mar 2024 8:44pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 
Re: Wobble
Chris86 wrote:
Do the easy things first.

- Are you 100% certain that your tyres are balanced well and wheels not buckled tyres bulged etc- if not get them balanced or borrow a set of wheels from someone see if it resolves the issue.

- If the Ball joints have play- just replace, they are cheap and relatively easy to do.

If the above doesn't resolve the issue, First port of call for me would be the swivels, followed by the panhard rod bushes.

Chris


Thanks Chris, I’m not at all sure if the wheels / tyres are balanced, I’m still fixated on the excessive play in the steering shaft meeting the steering box. The uj’s seem ok to me at first glance, but the entire shaft rotates several degrees in the steering box and at the other end at the other side of the uppermost uj. It doesn’t seem right and I thought it was the obvious place to start, but didn’t want to mess around too much if it’s normal for there to be such play.
Post #1028813 20th Mar 2024 8:52pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 
Other thing of note, all tyre pressures were around 28 psi, I guess they were set a while ago, all at 30? I’ve read 30 for the fronts and 35 on the rears (when running light).
Post #1028817 20th Mar 2024 9:07pm
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