I’ve got problems to say the least! My ride’s got a violent wobble that starts around 30-40 mph, usually when going downhill, & especially if I hit bump ( man hole cover) in the road. My last couple posts were about a potential exhaust problem diagnosed by my mechanic (he’s not 100% sure). He didn’t charge me anything for his inspection & diagnosis, which included some highway driving with me (it’s RHD & he wasn’t comfortable driving it). He did inspect the drive shaft & u-joints. He suggested I find an exhaust specialist. I’ve attached photos of my exhaust from just below the manifold to the tail pipe. If anyone sees something fishy I’d love to hear about it.
Can exhaust cause death wobble?
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- #4
I’ve also got videos trying to capture the wobble from multiple angles but I guess I can only upload photos. From what I can see n the videos it looks like something with the drive shaft or transfer case. My mechanic has seen the videos & still thinks it’s an exhaust problem. No play at the u-joint & the shaft is solid. I’m at a loss trying to figure out exactly what it is.
Check all suspension and stealing components. Make sure they are all tight and not worn. Sounds like it may be death wobble. From worn suspension parts.
Yeah I can't imagine a wobble caused by exhaust. I had one about a month ago when some cords broke in my old tires the PO had put on years ago I was in the process of searching for tires anyway). You could try Aylestock out on Lovettsville, VA. Bit of a drive but they know Land Cruisers well.
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4) Rebalance your tires first (or at least the 2 fronts). It's the cheapest possible fix.
I don't see how an exhaust system will cause it.
You need to check the wheels and steering components.
I had a bad track rod end on my Series IIA and it caused it to wobble.
You need to check the wheels and steering components.
I had a bad track rod end on my Series IIA and it caused it to wobble.
Is there a lift installed? Not installing shims or improperly installed shims on front springs can cause the death wobble.
that exhaust looks fine and I agree with rrc swb. This is a hj61 from Japan right? (sidenote: add a signature to your profile so people can reference what you drive, it helps) Death wobble can be scary, but it's solveable once you isolate the culprit. Do you have those janky Japanese-aftermarket shackles on the front end (they look long and thin)? How do the shackle bushings look? Or TREs, bad tie rod ends can have that effect. Put a wrench or socket on every bolt you see with the steering arms, hubs, and springs. Or your tires may need balanced.
Start cheap and work your way to expensive eliminating things.
Start cheap and work your way to expensive eliminating things.
My FJ40 had death wobble from bad front swing shackle bushings. And front tires that lost there balance.
My 62 had horrible death wobble, from like 40 mph up to 65 mph, just needed to power through it and it was fine.
We traced it down the unbalanced 37" pitbulls on homemade deadlock wheels, imagine that.
We traced it down the unbalanced 37" pitbulls on homemade deadlock wheels, imagine that.
I cannot reiterate enough - get rid of your "mechanic".
It is helpful to tell people what vehicle you have. You mentioned it is right hand drive. We see it has leaf springs and another member said that he thought it was an HJ61.
Get an alignment.
Get the tires road force balanced.
Report back.
It is helpful to tell people what vehicle you have. You mentioned it is right hand drive. We see it has leaf springs and another member said that he thought it was an HJ61.
Get an alignment.
Get the tires road force balanced.
Report back.
No joke... Next thing they can say, the exhaust ball bearings are bad too.
Only if the blinker fluid has leaked out.
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- #19
Hey Kevin sorry I dropped off there for a bit. My truck is back on it’s feet, though not 100%. I went over all the suspension components & couldn’t find anything same as the 2 mechanics that had a look. Spent a lot of hours on YouTube & everything I saw said it’s never the steering damper. So after a lot of frustration I took a close look at that. My damper was jacked & long story short I replaced it with an OME damper. Death wobble is solved (masked). I’m planning to get a new suspension (springs, shocks, brackets, etc.) & hopefully that will definitively fix it. I’m pretty sure the current lift is +3” which may be contributing. The brackets on it now are beefy!
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- #20
Yeah least invasive/expensive was the route I started on. The OME damper wasn’t expensive & that is at least helping.that exhaust looks fine and I agree with rrc swb. This is a hj61 from Japan right? (sidenote: add a signature to your profile so people can reference what you drive, it helps) Death wobble can be scary, but it's solveable once you isolate the culprit. Do you have those janky Japanese-aftermarket shackles on the front end (they look long and thin)? How do the shackle bushings look? Or TREs, bad tie rod ends can have that effect. Put a wrench or socket on every bolt you see with the steering arms, hubs, and springs. Or your tires may need balanced.
Start cheap and work your way to expensive eliminating things.
