Cause of steering wheel wobble

[livinginasia]

Hoping somebody may be able to give some suggestions here please.

Car is a permanent 4x4 Nissan Patrol Safari. Car has done 40,000 miles and is a foreign spec 2020 model.

Steering wheel wobbles / shakes at 50-60 mph. Not when touching the brakes, just when driving. Not at faster or slower speeds, just in this one band, which is pretty much motorway speeds these days.

We have balanced the wheels and also swapped them front to back, which made no difference at all, so it appears to not be balancing.

The tyres are all at the correct pressures,

What else would could the steering to do that, at that one specific speed only? I was thinking if it’s a worn steering rack it would likely happen at any speed? Some form of ball joint maybe? Four wheel drive system or drive shaft?

I am pretty stumped and would welcome any advice please.

Many thanks

[anyoldcardave]

I would start with a driveshaft out of balance for whatever reason, maybe worn or loose? Balljoints or steering rack issues should be picked up on mot.

On my ST it was a worn driveshaft.

[Smudge1969]

Track Rod Ends

[livinginasia]

anyoldcardave said:

I would start with a driveshaft out of balance for whatever reason, maybe worn or loose? Balljoints or steering rack issues should be picked up on mot.

On my ST it was a worn driveshaft.

Thank you - will take a look.

[livinginasia]

Smudge1969 said:

Track Rod Ends

Thank you

[E-bmw]

Tyres.

I have seen some strange wear patterns on many tyres generally cheapies but not exclusively that have caused such issues.

[Kawasicki]

Tyre radial force variation. Happens a lot. Can’t be fixed by balancing.

[spaximus]

I am not 100% sure on this model but older ones had steering dampers or stabilisers fitted which if worn would do as described.

It does suggest that there will be wear elsewhere as well but if it is fitted on yours I would bet that is what is wrong

[Catflap66]

I had a similar issue on my previous MX5 which I naturally assumed was wheel balancing, which feels exactly the same. In the end, it was some sealant swishing around inside the tyre causing the problem. Have you ever used any tyre sealant to fix a puncture?

[MGSteve]

Sounds like it could be 'death wobble', which is an issue that can impact dependent front suspension vehicles.
Our Suzuki Jimny has suffered from it twice in the 10 years we've had it, with the wheel wobble appearing at 45-50MPH and on both occasions it was caused by worn kingpin bearings. Replacing the bearings fixed the issue.
I would have a look on some Nissan Patrol forums and see if there is a common cause specific to the Patrol.

[eth2190]

It's important to know if your Patrol is a Y61 or a Y62 model. Because they have very different suspension/ steering setups.