Death wobble

Hi folks,
Help / advice needed please.
I have a 2006 Jimny with around 78,000 miles on the clock and currently have the dreaded death wobble (between 45 and 50mph).
I got a quote to replace the king pin bearings from my usual garage, who I very much trust, know the car well and have experience of dealing with this issue. They have quoted £715 which sounds like a heck of a lot, especially as I spoke with the 'Jimny' mechanic and he said it would be three hours labour.
So, what is your experience - is this too much? Also, for a very nervous mechanic, is this realistically a job I could do myself? I watched some YouTube videos and it all looked fairly straightforward, but I don't usually do repairs or servicing myself.
Thanks in advance,
RichT

You obviously feel perturbed at the cost you have been quoted and rightly so. I believe you have reached the point with this garage where they believe you have entrusted them with so much work that they believe that they have fully ensnared you and you will pay up without question.
Firstly you need to obtain confirmation that it is the king pins that are at fault and that means checking with other garages. Speak to friends and ask for their opinions on the people they use. Tell us where you are and the forum members may know someone in your area who can assist. There maybe a local member who can check your motor over and advise you as to the problem.

Roger

Thanks Roger,
I am near Petersfield in Hampshire.
Richard

Hi, just done this on osf. The job is not difficult but is messy with all the grease, you'll need plenty of clean rags. King pins were fine as was top bearing but both bearings replaced. Parts, genuine Suzuki hub seal upgraded spec with felt wiper including driveshat oil seal £28 with postage, bearings Koyo HC30302JR from bearing supplier as used by Suzuki without OEM mark up £19 with postage, tub of lithium grease £8. The lower king pin needed a little persuasion easy enough just rotate it a few degrees to present an edge to strike with a drift. Bearings can be driven out with a suitably sized socket. Make sure they are square with cones facing outwards when you come to fit the new ones. Honestly not a bad job if you just take your time.

I'm seeing an increasing number of people throwing more and more parts at what should be a very cheap fix. I've never needed to replace more than the 2 bearings and the driveshaft seal, which comes in at under £30 a side. Start replacing other seals, kingpins, bolts etc and it soon becomes a lot more expensive.

Thanks folks. A little update - the reason why the quote was so much more than I was expecting was because it included replacing the four king pins themselves, which thinking back the mechanic had said he wouldn't usually do but I had said whilst he was there it would be a good idea, without realising the cost of the replacement king pins. Without the replacement king pins the likely cost would be around £400 which covered parts and 3 hours labour including VAT, so not so bad.

I would consider the "King Pin" itself to be a non wearing part, as long as it is properly treated. At the most you might see a tad of rust which is easily dealt with but to cost in 4 new ones without removing them is excessive. Have they given you an explanation as to why they consider it necessary?

Roger

The maths
All the parts (Suzuki) for both sides, Kingpins, bolts,bearings and seals £407, the rest is labour.
In reality you only need to change the bearings and seals, £108 for both sides plus about 3 hours labour. The Kingpins don't usually need replacement as Roger said 
If your swivels are rusty and pitted then changing the large swivel seal is pointless, so this makes it even cheaper if you wish.

If you have a jack, 3 spare hours and a hammer it's going to cost £108 or less. So yes, the original price was high as you are changing parts that won't need to be replaced.

Yes it is an easy job, but allow a little longer and do one side at a time. Check all the bolts move before you take anything apart just in case any are stuck with rust.

Given all comments re excessive parts usage, I should have mentioned I removed the king pins and bearings while replacing the hub seal which after 170000 miles had given up spraying grease all around the wheel well.

With either quote there is keeping the lights on and having a laugh. There are a few guides available for doing this yourself using parts from the big Jimny shop above that will save you so much money. Heavens one of us may be local enough to you to come and assist.

As mentioned it’s a fairly easy job, but I would allow a day a side, if yours is like mine, everything will be in tight and it just takes longer the first time you do the job.

The guide on BigJimny is excellent and you can get quality parts from the BigJimny shop. So if you have the time and somewhere to do it then I would have a go. Someone will be near if you need a hand.

Rob8n

Hi All,
I bought my first Jimny yesterday a 2008 model. On driving on the motorway it seems to shake on RHS as I noticed the drivers door mirror shakes. Is this likely to be wheel balancing as it's between 70-75 mph when the issue occurs. Seems to be RHS of body as opposed to coming up through the steering??
TIA



RichT post=250458Hi folks,
Help / advice needed please.
I have a 2006 Jimny with around 78,000 miles on the clock and currently have the dreaded death wobble (between 45 and 50mph).
I got a quote to replace the king pin bearings from my usual garage, who I very much trust, know the car well and have experience of dealing with this issue. They have quoted £715 which sounds like a heck of a lot, especially as I spoke with the 'Jimny' mechanic and he said it would be three hours labour.
So, what is your experience - is this too much? Also, for a very nervous mechanic, is this realistically a job I could do myself? I watched some YouTube videos and it all looked fairly straightforward, but I don't usually do repairs or servicing myself.
Thanks in advance,
RichT