Wobbly O2

Hi all you clever people.

Right, bought the wife an O2 on Thursday and we took it out into the country today and it didn't miss a beat. Although I think I'l buy the CO a sports bra - nearly got knocked out twice!

Anyway, took the dual carriageway home and climbing to 45mph all was fine, then the front started wobbling, reached 50 and all went smooth again. Slowing back down, same thing at 45 and then OK again. I suspect (hope) it's just wheel balancing as the problem is speed specific. Any opinions please?

Most likely kingpin bearings. If the bearings are not worn, they may require shimming.
www.bigjimny.com/images/documents/Changi...KingPin_Bearings.pdf

Also try and find a tyre fitter who actually knows how to balance a wheel! This is often a discussed problem on the forum.

Many thanks for that supergaz (I think ). Fingers crossed it is just the balancing (which I'll try first) as I don't have the tools/skills to change the bearings and she (the car, not the wife) will end up at a garage (mega £££ probably).

Once again, thanks for the feedback.

Maybe someone on here would do your Kingpin bearings? I can if you are within Lancashire, I can do it in my sleep now!
There is talk of the Spannish built O2 jimnys suffering this more due to manufacturing tollerence within the hubs, Suzuki's fix was to shim the bearings, but these are a weak point of the jimny, especially when used off road and with larger tyres.

When we had the o2 (2003) the kingpin bearings were ok but after many atempts at fixing the woble it came down to a shim on the bearings , had the tyres ballenced 5 or 6 times at different places and didnt solve it

Thanks supergaz & reaper.

I'm on the borders of London & Kent. Bit of a treck to Lancashire, but a great idea. Thanks.

Anyone know a good reliable mechanic locally that I can trust with the wife's O2?

Was shims on mine too (had the wheels balanced at 3 places).

Got them from the BigJimny online shop (very quick delivery) and did it within 30 minutes.

Made a big difference.

JivingDaddy wrote: Thanks supergaz & reaper.

I'm on the borders of London & Kent. Bit of a treck to Lancashire, but a great idea. Thanks.

Anyone know a good reliable mechanic locally that I can trust with the wife's O2?

Markyp2000 is a mechanic on here down that area, might be worth sending him a message.

i have the same problem on my 02 54 plate . king pins ! now also needing brake pads and discs so can fit all new at the same time , good job reaper lives round the corner nudge nudge

just kidding mate !

I have read on here somewhere that the alloy wheels fitted to the O2 can also cause this problem and it was a known fault. I think the wheels can warp?? I am sure someone on here will correct me.

The dreaded Jimny death wobble is a most annoying fault that most owners have experienced at sometime and can be difficult to fix.

Not sure JivingDaddy if you know, but all soft tops where built in Spain and the hard tops come form Japan. There is talk of differences in build quality, but I'm not convinced.

I have had wobble on both the Jimny's I have owned. After checking wheel balance; wheel bearings and king pins. Check discs for warp (this fixed my problem in the past).

If you fit bigger tyres and wheel (heavier), this can also make the problem worse.

Shims have also been reported many times as a fix.

If you have checked all the above and still no joy, fitting a steering damper will also help (this worked on my current Jimny).

Good luck and let us know what fixed the problem.

Paul

fast forward wrote: i have the same problem on my 02 54 plate . king pins ! now also needing brake pads and discs so can fit all new at the same time , good job reaper lives round the corner nudge nudge

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No problem mate if you need a hand pop round . . . . .and i can show you where sponnie lives