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Gen4 - rocking side to side at speed
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03 Aug 2024 13:15 #257054
by Gadget
Gen4 - rocking side to side at speed was created 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?
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?
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03 Aug 2024 15:03 #257056
by jlines
Replied by jlines on topic Gen4 - rocking side to side at speed
Could there be any mud stuck behind the wheel making it unbalenced or lost weights from the wheels?
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03 Aug 2024 15:29 #257057
by fordem
Replied by fordem on topic Gen4 - rocking side to side at speed
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.
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
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03 Aug 2024 16:20 #257058
by Gadget
No significant mud, but hadn't considered weights, I'll have a look, thanks.
Replied by Gadget on topic Gen4 - rocking side to side at speed
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.
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03 Aug 2024 16:25 #257059
by Gadget
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.
Replied by Gadget on topic Gen4 - rocking side to side at speed
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.
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- Roger Fairclough
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03 Aug 2024 17:57 #257062
by Roger Fairclough
Replied by Roger Fairclough on topic Gen4 - rocking side to side at speed
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
Roger
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