Shaking Steering Wheel
All Gs should have a steering damper. Without one you will find a peak vibration at 60 mph (100 km/h). However, it's also important that your wheels are well balanced and that you don't have worn steering linkages with too much play.
(The resonant frequency for the front axle is about 11.5 Hz = 700 revolutions per minute = 100 km/h. Even the smallest amount of wheel imbalance will excite this if there is not damper to control the possible build- up of vibration. )
You seem to have exactly the same symptoms as I had with my SWB 463.
From personal experience only, this is what you need to do, and it doesn't end up costing a fortune:
1/ Get your front wheels properly balanced (very cheap). Depends on how long you've had your current tyres but it's surprising how out of balance they can become especially those big heavy duty ones when subjected to diff lock use. This helped a bit.
2/ Get your tracking checked and adjusted by someone who knows what they're doing (not quite so cheap but not expensive). This helped a bit more.
3/ Definitely fit a steering damper and I'd recommend the uprated 50mm proper MB version. This costs about £100 with the required nuts, bolts and washer and is a very simple DIY job although not quite as easy if you don't have an existing damper so you can see where and how it fits. I'm wondering if one or both of the brackets are still in place as otherwise can't imagine why you don't have one fitted even if it was old and non functioning.
I now have no steering shake.
Mark (no claims to be technically knowledgeable).
This seems to be a once a week subject :-)
All of the above plus, carefully check the condition of your tyres for any damage/bulges. As the vibration starts at low speed this maybe your problem.
463's suffer due to worn suspension bushes more than 460's. Not so much the large ones at the axle but rather the small ones where the suspension arms connect to the chassis. If the vibration is set off mid corner this is probably your issue.
Thought 460/ 463 suspension bushes all the same? Don't see why 463 would be harder on bushes than a 460, I suspect steering damper to blame
Thought 460/ 463 suspension bushes all the same? Don't see why 463 would be harder on bushes than a 460, I suspect steering damper to blame
I believe it's to do with the torque to the front axle.
60 mph / 100 kmh is a resonant frequency for all Gs. Even the smallest amount of imbalance on the wheels will excite this without a damper. I had this on brand new G with a faulty damper.
I have STD dampers in stock, £75
Gordon
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