Member - John replied:

fransky, a question first? Didn't you drive the thing before buying it? The problem may be the wheels are about to fall off, or it might be like the well known Nissan problem, caster angle? Best of luck finding the answer.

J.T. replied:

Hi franksy
I would suggest getting the wheels balanced and check the rims for runout while on the balancer.If thats ok maybe the wheel bearings require adjusting.If you have just bought the vehicle it might be worth getting a service and or safety check(possibly a bit late)if something is really wrong.

vitara replied:

Hi franksy, has the vehicle been sitting around for a while and not been driven by the previous owner Maybe the tyres have gone out of round, or have they put huge wide tyres (wheels) on it using spaces to push the wheels out further away from callipers, maybe not correct wheels to suit that vehicle. Just a thought As said might pay to get a serious mechanical check (maybe the wheels are about to fall off as said) . Surely you drove this before buying it didn't you ????

Member - Jeff M (WA) replied:

Yeah Vitaras right, it could even have retreads on it that have bubbled up, they would cause that kind of symptom. Could be as simple as a wheel alignment or tyre balance... Does it drive straight at low speed or does it pull to one side?

Other problems could be ball joints, bushes, basically anything in the front end.

Might be worth taking it to your local tyre mob and getting a free or cheap front end suspension "saftey check". That will enlighten you to all the problems in the front end, you can then fix it yourself or get them to do it if it's a bit over your head. Of course be carful not to get ripped off, if they are quoting very high serious problem type prices, get a second opinion first!

Ted (Cairns) replied:

Hi franksy, if it's a coil sprung one (LJ73 and the like) check the bushes on the panhard rod at the axle end. Eg. by someone turning the steering wheel and you looking underneath. If the whole chassis moves left-right about 25 mm before anything else happens it's those bushes. The rear ones are identical, and so both the axles can wander some 25 mm which causes scary vibrations at about 80kmh. They cost next to 0 and you need pliers and a spanner to change them. Should take about 10mins to do both axles.

Cheers Ted

fj80guy@home replied:

hi m8 , have a bunderra , which had the same prob , found it to be the tierod ends on the drag link , i have an 86 model which i replaced them in about 2yr ago , id say yours were due to be replaced by now