A place for more technical discussions. Please make sure you post in the correct section on the site, this way it keeps the site tidy AND ensures you get a more relevant answer.

Gen4 - rocking side to side at speed

More
03 Aug 2024 13:15 #257054 by Gadget
Bit of a weird one. Have been on holiday in the Jimny and on the motorway experienced some quite scary side-to-side wobble. I don't think it's death wobble, as you don't feel anything through the steering wheel, but the whole car rocks side to side as if you're being hit by gusts of wind.

Car was full loaded, two adults, one teen, luggage in car and roofbox. We've travelled with an identical setup before over thousands of miles and never experienced this. 

I shifted all the weight in the roofbox down into the car which improved things slightly, but it was still doing it to some extent, even with the roofbox removed.

If I didn't know better, I'd think some of my shocks had failed - but they're OME units that are only a few years old, so seems unlikely? If I bounce the car when stationary it stops after one bounce which seems normal.

Tyres were at 28psi. Don't know if relevant but it only started after the last Jimny meet - could I have damaged something?

It's driving me mad. Any ideas?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
03 Aug 2024 15:03 #257056 by jlines
Could there be any mud stuck behind the wheel making it unbalenced or lost weights from the wheels?
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gadget

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
03 Aug 2024 15:29 #257057 by fordem
How fast were you going and how much weight did you have on the roof? Is the front stabilizer (anti sway) bar still fitted and what condition are the mounts & end links in? What tires are you running?

If I recall correctly rear tires take a higher pressure when the vehicle is fully loaded, I don't recall what it is, and my wife is out with the JB so I can't just run out & check it - the JC takes 29 at the rear fully loaded, but I don't really see being 1psi low as making a huge difference to stability.

It certainly wasn't "wobble of death", wobble of death, if you ever experience it, is an unforgettable event - a violent shaking of the steering wheel, and only to get out of it, is to bring the vehicle to a stop.

What you're describing sounds more like a top heavy vehicle, they tend to "wallow" as you steer into the sway, you're always lagging the event, I have experienced something similar but not a Jimny.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gadget

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
03 Aug 2024 16:20 #257058 by Gadget

Could there be any mud stuck behind the wheel making it unbalenced or lost weights from the wheels?

No significant mud, but hadn't considered weights, I'll have a look, thanks.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
03 Aug 2024 16:25 #257059 by Gadget

How fast were you going and how much weight did you have on the roof? Is the front stabilizer (anti sway) bar still fitted and what condition are the mounts & end links in? What tires are you running?

If I recall correctly rear tires take a higher pressure when the vehicle is fully loaded, I don't recall what it is, and my wife is out with the JB so I can't just run out & check it - the JC takes 29 at the rear fully loaded, but I don't really see being 1psi low as making a huge difference to stability.

It certainly wasn't "wobble of death", wobble of death, if you ever experience it, is an unforgettable event - a violent shaking of the steering wheel, and only to get out of it, is to bring the vehicle to a stop.

What you're describing sounds more like a top heavy vehicle, they tend to "wallow" as you steer into the sway, you're always lagging the event, I have experienced something similar but not a Jimny.

60mph. First time it happened I probably had 30kg on the roof, but after the first time it happened I reduced that down to about 15kg. I've certainly not removed any sway bars, will have a look at the various connect-y bits, although not sure I'll spot if they're knackered! Tyres are 215/75R15 Yokohama Geolander G015 A/T, have had them on for about 5 years and had runs to Scotland and Switzerland with no issue.

Could radius arm bushings be a cause? Had my dad rocking the car and there looked to be a lot of flex in the rear drivers side bushing, unsure if the amount is normal or not.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
03 Aug 2024 17:57 #257062 by Roger Fairclough
The side aspect of a Jimny is similar to a brick on edge so a gusty side wind may have been the cause plus the standard shocks are not up to much and add 30 kg (the max.) on the roof with a full load inside and you are likely to experience odd behaviour.

Roger

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.163 seconds
Joomla template by a4joomla
We use cookies to give you the best online experience. Please let us know if you agree to all of these cookies. Accepting the Cookies also accepts the Disclaimers for the website.