Wobble, Panhard Bushings (1 Viewer)

[VanBC2LTE1990]

Good Morning from Vancouver, BC

I have had mega wobble issues with my LJ78. We lifted the truck and tested the wheels for play. Plenty of play front left to right.

I took it into a shop in December and the panhard bushings were replaced. When I brought it back to further address the wobble they replaced the bushings again and there was no change. When I asked why the bushings were replaced twice in less than 4 months they said that the ones they pulled out this March were totally blown. Does this make sense? Panhard bushings shot in less than 4 months? It seemed suspect to my friend. Either way, the wobble is still their. This is after re-alignment and wheel balancing. I have new tie-rods and damper coming, but I'm not sure that this explains that tires being so easy to move left to right in my hands while it's lifted.

Thoughts?

 

[Rigster]

Hello and welcome! Nice to see another BC LC owner.

The panhard bushings should definitely not wear out like that... though, if you have that much play in the front end linkage (tie-rods, steering arm bushings, etc) that COULD account for premature wear on the panhard.

Sounds like you have done the right things so far, with the wheel balancing and alignment. I am assuming when you tried to get the alignment done that is when they ordered the new tie-rods? If they still went ahead with the alignment when you needed any front end parts replaced, I would choose a different shop as it sounds like a money grab to me. You will need to do an alignment after you replace the other tie rods anyways.

I assume when you tested the wheels for play you did not find any play in the front bearings (preload) when checking with the wheels off the ground (top and bottom of tire - no play)

Now once the front end is tight, and alignment completed, if the wobble is still there, you may need to get some new tires. A couple of people have messed with this issue on the forums and after exhausting everything else, and more than one wheel balancing... new tires finally fixed this.

 

[oldblue]

Try some one else's wheels and tires.

 

[VanBC2LTE1990]

Hello and welcome! Nice to see another BC LC owner.

The panhard bushings should definitely not wear out like that... though, if you have that much play in the front end linkage (tie-rods, steering arm bushings, etc) that COULD account for premature wear on the panhard.

Sounds like you have done the right things so far, with the wheel balancing and alignment. I am assuming when you tried to get the alignment done that is when they ordered the new tie-rods? If they still went ahead with the alignment when you needed any front end parts replaced, I would choose a different shop as it sounds like a money grab to me. You will need to do an alignment after you replace the other tie rods anyways.

I assume when you tested the wheels for play you did not find any play in the front bearings (preload) when checking with the wheels off the ground (top and bottom of tire - no play)

Now once the front end is tight, and alignment completed, if the wobble is still there, you may need to get some new tires. A couple of people have messed with this issue on the forums and after exhausting everything else, and more than one wheel balancing... new tires finally fixed this.

Thanks! I'm hoping it's not the tires, but one the tie-rods and damper are replaced I'll know more hopefully!

 

[VanBC2LTE1990]

Thanks! I'm hoping it's not the tires, but one the tie-rods and damper are replaced I'll know more hopefully!

Thanks very much! Still waiting for the tie rods and damper, but hopefully once that's done and alignment I'll have a better idea. The tires were practically brand new when I bought the truck last October, so I'm hoping to avoid that expense if I can!