Hello all! I have a bit of a steering wobble issue. The wheel wiggles back and forth starting at about 40 mph, it varies in intensity from "did it go away?" to vigorous. I had a bit of a wobble due to a loose hub bolt on the passenger's side. Fixed it, car rode nice and smooth until some maniac nearly ran me off the highway in a rainstorm. I was going 70, and had to pull the wheel hard left. Skidded a bit, regained control, and exactly then is when the wobble started. I've gotten under it and checked everything very thoroughly. All suspension components are in quite good shape, with the exception of the sway bar end links, which have worn out bushings, and the bushings where the (wishbone?) that connects to the upper ball joint meets the car. There is some noticeable play in those connections when I grab the wheels and wiggle them. The alignment is (at least by tape measure values) perfect. Could these bushings be the culprit? and why would they have suddenly became the culprit after the incident, tore perhaps? I'd love some insight as I was hoping there'd be a nice obvious damaged part to swap like a ball joint.

 

Have the vehicle inspected for a bent wheel rim.

 

It came on pretty abruptly after that slide on a wet surface. I know that lateral force like that isn't what the car is accustomed to but a bent rim seems unlikely to me. if a wheel weight flew off could it have caused this?

 

I vote get the wheels checked/balanced also.... maybe you even lost a balance weight on one of the rims??

Certainly the wheel check would be a relatively quick and inexpensive way to go, rather than tearing in and swapping parts at random, eh?



Larry

 

jfleming,

I like Larry's suggestion of a lost wheel weight. If your car has the stock 15 inch rims, I think a bent rim is unlikely, but if you have larger rims it might be quite possible.

Also, a common issue on the XJ40 is worn front wheel bearings. If what you described as a "loose hub bolt" was the stub axle nut that adjusts the preload on the wheel bearings, then the passenger side bearing may be in need of replacement, and the driver's side bearing is probably not much better. It would be worth checking for any play in the bearings that you can differentiate from the play in the upper control arm bushings. The bearings are inexpensive and not difficult to replace. The tricky part is getting the proper negative preload or end float correct. I have photos that show the process if you get to that point.

If you have play in the front end due to failing control arm bushes or other components, then your alignment will vary as you travel down the road, corner, etc., so I don't think you can rely on a static measurement to tell you all is well.

Cheers,

Don

 

OK, thank you all who've helped so far. Bearings was a concern of mine, and play that was not from suspension parts was how I found it the first time. I don't think it got loose again, all play seems to be in those bushings. I think my plan of action is going to be bushings first, I need to make myself do them anyway, then the balancing if it still needs it. If none of that helps... I'll be back.

 

The upper control arm bushings can be replaced without removing the road spring, but you must place a jack under the spring pan to prevent the suspension from dropping too far when you disconnect the control arms, which can allow the spring to suddenly explode outward. This has happened to at least two owners I'm aware of. I believe the procedure is given in the Haynes manual. If you don't already have it, you can download it here:

https://www.mediafire.com/?hx8bttsy4kxxr#3267xri9vx4v6

Cheers,

Don