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strang



Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1361

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
Death wobble
I seem to be suffering with a bit of a death wobble on my Puma - its an 2009 model with around 53k on the clock. Recently replaced shockers all around, but there were no issues following that.

The problem mainly seems to be differing road surfaces, if the road surface is rough, the wobble is more pronounced. Also sometimes on motorways around 60 - 70, the steering wheel seems to vibrate and wobble a little.

New tyres fitted last year and wheels all balanced OK.

Could it be the steering damper? or something much more expensive......... Sad Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....
Post #964904 13th Sep 2022 6:03pm
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Leamreject



Member Since: 19 Dec 2020
Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa
Posts: 950

Italy 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Fuji White
Death Wobble in a Defender…. You need to get a motorbike to experience that properly😉 Ride like you stole it!!
If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do…
2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT
Post #964907 13th Sep 2022 6:30pm
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jaygti



Member Since: 04 Nov 2012
Location: essex
Posts: 375

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Start cheap.
Check for worn bushes, check for something loose.
Then work your way up. 👍🏻 2002 td5 90 county hardtop
Post #964908 13th Sep 2022 6:30pm
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Leamreject



Member Since: 19 Dec 2020
Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa
Posts: 950

Italy 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Fuji White
Also do a four point wheel swap just as a precaution because if you have a slightly buckled wheel it could change the dimension of the problem Ride like you stole it!!
If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do…
2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT
Post #964910 13th Sep 2022 6:37pm
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Ianh



Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 1694

United Kingdom 
Along with bushes check the A frame ball joint atop the rear axle.
Post #964922 13th Sep 2022 7:48pm
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Mossberg



Member Since: 29 Feb 2020
Location: Lancs
Posts: 552

United Kingdom 1993 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Aintree Green
Leamreject wrote:
Also do a four point wheel swap just as a precaution because if you have a slightly buckled wheel it could change the dimension of the problem


Agree with this - first change front wheels for back. Easy to do and costs nowt!
Post #964941 13th Sep 2022 10:59pm
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2062

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Pennine Grey
Panhard rod bushes if it's a violent fast judder or swivel preload.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.
Post #964951 14th Sep 2022 5:54am
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bear100



Member Since: 22 Mar 2010
Location: South Wales
Posts: 1867

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Have you fitted wheel spacers at all? 2016 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 TDV8
2010 110 XS Utility 2.4TDCI
2010 Range Rover Sport TDV8 (gone)
2007 Discovery HSE TDV6 (gone)
1993 110 csw 200 tdi (gone)
1994 90 HT 300 tdi (gone)
1994 discovery 300tdi (gone)
90 hybrid 3.5 v8 (gone)
Range rover bobtail 3.5 v8 (gone)
Post #964953 14th Sep 2022 6:21am
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jfh



Member Since: 08 Jan 2014
Location: West Coast
Posts: 348

South Africa 2007 Defender 110 300 Tdi SW Chawton White
Swivel pin preload.
Post #965008 14th Sep 2022 1:38pm
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spudfan



Member Since: 10 Sep 2007
Location: Co Donegal
Posts: 4427

Ireland 
If the wheels were balanced some of the balancing weights could have come off. Get the front ones at least checked to see if they need balanced. It's an inexpensive move that could solve your problem. 1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali
2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu
2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai
Post #965024 14th Sep 2022 5:01pm
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strang



Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1361

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
bear100 wrote:
Have you fitted wheel spacers at all?


Nope Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....
Post #965029 14th Sep 2022 6:27pm
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Procta



Member Since: 03 Dec 2016
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 4908

United Kingdom 
spudfan wrote:
If the wheels were balanced some of the balancing weights could have come off. Get the front ones at least checked to see if they need balanced. It's an inexpensive move that could solve your problem.


i would do this 1st, i suspected i had the same thing, so me and my dad put the car up on the jack and had a go at moving the wheels for any play etc. We couldn't find anything at all. Went down to my local tyre garage and got the front wheels balanced, both needed re balancing, the driver side was well out.
by 100 gram Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

Success is 90% Inspiration and 4 minutes Preparation # you can make it!
Post #965072 15th Sep 2022 4:33am
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bear100



Member Since: 22 Mar 2010
Location: South Wales
Posts: 1867

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
some wheel spacers are tight on some alloys and can catch when putting the wheel back on 2016 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 TDV8
2010 110 XS Utility 2.4TDCI
2010 Range Rover Sport TDV8 (gone)
2007 Discovery HSE TDV6 (gone)
1993 110 csw 200 tdi (gone)
1994 90 HT 300 tdi (gone)
1994 discovery 300tdi (gone)
90 hybrid 3.5 v8 (gone)
Range rover bobtail 3.5 v8 (gone)
Post #965078 15th Sep 2022 6:29am
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MR_JAMES



Member Since: 10 Oct 2013
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 241

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
My series 109 did that around 50mph it was horrendous, swapped the wheels around from front to back and it went away. 1953 80"
1987 mini city e
2011 90"
Post #965181 15th Sep 2022 8:45pm
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strang



Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1361

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
Just an update - I had the wheels checked for balance and they were fine. I had also developed a rattle which sounded like brake pads, but still rattled on rough ground whilst braking. Further examination has revealed that the lower bushes on the rear shocks are shot - so that is causing the rattle, hopefully once replaced it will cure the steering issue too. Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....
Post #965541 20th Sep 2022 3:04pm
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