sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

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timpaton
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sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by timpaton » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:00 pm

Hello, i have just driven my project 413 for the first time. At about 40 mph, there is a very frightening wobble from the front left wheel. I have checked the wheel nuts, and they are tight, i have 2 x new front mud and snow tires on balanced wheels? any ideas? Thanks Tim

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Re: sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by Edweird » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:14 pm

If they're balanced, I'd say it could be your bearings.
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Re: sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by ScottieJ » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:46 pm

Yeah jack the wheel up and check for play in the wheel and kingpin bearings that's usually the first cause however..........

Here's a nice list of all the things to check


Tyre Pressures, standard pressure on SJs is 20psi all round.

Wheel bearings, check for play and that they don;t sound rough when you spin them, should be set to a specific preload.

King pin bearings, these need to have no play and be set to a specific pre load http://forum.suzukiclubuk.co.uk/vi ... =12&t=3182

Knuckle seals and felts, these add resistance to the steering so if the seals are knackered it can effect the steering

U-bolts: check they are tight

Leaf spring bushes are in good condition

Shackles are not too loose

Check there is no play in the steering box

Ball joints on steering links: check for play

Also check the UJ and rag joint, and bush at the bulkhead on the steering column.

Steering damper, this is the last thing you should check, if everything else is ok you should be able to drive without one fitted with no wobbles.

Basically everything that is on your front suspension, axle and steering :doublethumbs:
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timpaton
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Re: sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by timpaton » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:49 pm

no dont think so, i am talking like the whole wheel resonating up and down violently, def not a bearing? i though it might be shock related, wondered if this was a common problem?

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Re: sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by ScottieJ » Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:13 pm

It is a common problem with all leaf sprung 4x4s, people call it the 'death wobble'

All those things on that list can cause it so they should be the first things to check, I very much doubt its anything to do with the shocks, possibly if the steering damper has failed you could get a bot of a wobble.

When I had it, it was because my U-bolts had stretched, I tightened them up and it went.
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Re: sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by ROBBIE » Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:24 pm

missing of scotties list
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timpaton
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Re: sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by timpaton » Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:25 pm

Thanks for all the responses, i will look at these when i get a minute, and respond to see if i have cured it and you are all right?

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Re: sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by justaddmud » Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:00 pm

mine did that, the 'DEATH WOBBLE' I dont think it is any one thing but a combination of things, and as mentioned above is a leaf spring thing, panhard rod could sort an awful lot out especially if SPOA

i think the main contributor to mine is the that steering box is pretty knacked

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Re: sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by twiss » Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:54 am

As scott says, jack up the wheel and check for play...

Any time I've had death wobble its always the damn kingpins bearings
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Re: sj413 speed wobble 40mph?

Post by ianedwards » Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:23 pm

THE DEATH WOBBLE - Best thing I've ever heard. Wicked lol

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