So the next large project I need to sort out .... When driving over 50mph, if I hit a rough patch the vehicle's steering shakes. I can accelerate through it, or slow down and it goes away. This Only happens when I hit a rough patch on the road though. Is this most likely a suspension issue, alignment issue or the wheel bearings? (I'm sure all three need to be updated over the course of the next year all the same)
On 7/15/20 I'm going to lift it up and try to wiggle the tire to determine if it's the bearings, I just haven't had the opportunity in the past week between work and family life. Please help me thru this so I'm not doing repairs out of order, or if it doesn't matter the order and it could be any of the three.... I'll just work through all three in a row as funds come through.

 

On motorcycles it is called a death wobble, on a Disco, it is called annoying!! I went through the whole front end on my D1, and then found that the tire air pressure is a major factor. I now run 32 PSI and the problem is much better unless I run low on Power Steering Fluid. I also have a bad front shock, and a broken rear stabilizer bar link, bit PS fluid seems the a big factor.

Although going through the front end never hurts. An axle oil leak will destroy the pivot bearings rather quickly and then you have real problems. Check the tie rod ends and 'panhard bushings' too. I'd start with the tires and pressures as they are easy to check and add some air (or subtract air) check tires for abnormal wear too.

 

So in your experience it wasn't just one thing, but more so a combination of factors?

The oil went to a 2-4 drops a day leak after I replaced the oil pan gasket, which is MUCH better than the 1/2 qt a week that it was doing when I got it. I'll locate that next small leak and sort that eventually. I've not found any other leaks though, front or back thankfully. But the wobble is a biggest issue to me and I want to try to sort out first.

 

Go replace the panhard rod bushings, should take care of it.

To check:
Have someone turn the steering wheel while you look at the front of the vehicle. You should see the car shift slightly side to side as the wheel is turned, you will see the play in the panhard rod bushings.

 

The bushings for the Panhard rod are less than $5 from Rimmer Brothers, I'll just add that to the cart and get it done whether they need it or not. Can't hurt.
Thanks for putting that on my radar.

 

The typical list (not in any particular order) for D1s and wobble is:
- tire pressure and/or balance (or maybe out-of-round from a broken belt)
- front wheel bearing preload
- swivel pin preload
- panhard rod bushings
- tie rod or drag link end(s)

If none of that corrects it, then go after the steering box, the rest of the front end bushings, etc.

Good luck.

 

Grab the wheel, sitting on the ground and try move it it in both directions (grab the top and move the top in and out, front and back moving it in and out. If it moves, that's not good. then try moving both tires at front in and out (together and apart) might need some help next jack up the axle and do the same on each side. moving tires together and apart will check steering linkage . don't overlook the shock absorber bushings at each wheel. I have one lower bushing missing and boy does that shake when I hit a bump at 60! The steering dampner (goes across the truck from side to side) doesn't affect this wobble so don't worry about it. If you feel something move, try to isolate it as to what moves and what doesn't.

Mine was ru dry for a long time before I got it and I ended up replacing just about the whole axle. I went with the newer style axle with the teflon coated pivot ***** so they wouldn't rust. (standard on 1998 and newer) The older ones were chrome and leak when they rust. seals don't work on pitted rust. every truck is different so you can't just replace one thing and it will cure all. The pivot bearings are the toughest to get the preload correct. Yo have to shim them (or not) to make them right. Not hard, just takes some time

 

Mine turned out to be front shock bushings.

 

There's a full bushing relacement kit on Rimmer Bros. I think I'm going to do that just to round things off instead of just the panhard, alignment and hope approach. Then go through those other replacement/ upgrades all the same as funds come through. Common consensus does seem to be bushings initially though.

Thanks for widening the 'sweep' for possible fixes!

 

I did items as funds allowed.