Cause of steering wheel wobble

Cause of steering wheel wobble

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Discussion

livinginasia

Original Poster:

918 posts

124 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
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

768 posts

81 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
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

18 posts

10 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Track Rod Ends

livinginasia

Original Poster:

918 posts

124 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
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

Original Poster:

918 posts

124 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Smudge1969 said:
Track Rod Ends
Thank you

E-bmw

10,911 posts

166 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Tyres.

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

Kawasicki

13,762 posts

249 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Tyre radial force variation. Happens a lot. Can’t be fixed by balancing.

spaximus

4,306 posts

267 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
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

20 posts

143 months

Tuesday 20th August 2024
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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

200 posts

252 months

Tuesday 20th August 2024
quotequote all
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

182 posts

15 months

Tuesday 20th August 2024
quotequote all
It's important to know if your Patrol is a Y61 or a Y62 model. Because they have very different suspension/ steering setups.