Vibration in steering wheel

[douglass]

Originally Posted by Imagination.Land

Nope, not offset bushings. I had a lot of trouble getting one of the 15mm bolts off of the passenger side caliper bracket, but other than that, just changed the rotors, and a week or so later, starting feeling like tires were out of balance. Got them balanced and rotated, and the vibration still occurred.

and the vibration only happens at higher speeds when you turn? or is it all the time at higher speeds?

[douglass]

Originally Posted by Imagination.Land

I received instructions over on svtp forums, telling me this:

"Grab the wheel/tire at 12 and 6 o'clock and rock the wheel back and forth to check for play. Repeat for 3 and 9. If it’s sloppy, you need a need hub bearing. Also, check for a clean, smooth, silent rotation of the wheel. I usually remove the brake caliper when I do this so the friction of the brakes doesn't compromise the test."

It didn't feel sloppy to me... Any suggestions? Thanks

Where was the car supported when you did this test? control arm, frame, k member? Do you have coil over or reg. front springs?

[Imagination.Land]

Only when moving the steering wheel a little to the left or right at highway speeds, sometimes at lower speeds, but less noticeable. Since I have an inch of play, if I turn it until it actually starts steering the wheels, that's when it will give a vibration.

[douglass]

Originally Posted by Imagination.Land

Only when moving the steering wheel a little to the left or right at highway speeds, sometimes at lower speeds, but less noticeable. Since I have an inch of play, if I turn it until it actually starts steering the wheels, that's when it will give a vibration.

Is the vibration in the steering wheel? can you describe the vibration?

Oh yeah where was the car supported when you checked the front end?

[Imagination.Land]

Supported on the frame rails

[Imagination.Land]

Oops.. didn't see all of that. It just shakes back and forth. Not violently, but you can definitely see the steering wheel shaking. I don't know if it's in the steering wheel, but I really think it has something to do with the steering shaft. I'm replacing it this weekend, since I have an inch worth of play in the wheel itself. I'll see what that does and report back.

[douglass]

if you have a good jack, jack it up under the lower control arm and do the same test. if the car is supported under the frame rail the front coil spring has got the front suspension loaded. if you support under the lower control arm it will free up the ball joint and upper strut mounts. also check the condition of the lower control arm bushings.

[douglass]

i have seen that problem before with rack and pinion. If you lightly put steering input and the steering wheel rocks back and forth. Something to consider if the input shaft does not fix it. It is always best to start with the obvious first

Doug

[Imagination.Land]

Alright... so I replaced the steering shaft. Feels better, but still has play in the wheel. I also re-torqued the rack bushing bolts. They weren't torqued very well... Haven't drove it anywhere yet, but I'll see if I still have the vibration. I think I'm just going to take it to TPS and have them diagnose it. I'm tired of throwing fixes at this thing. Thanks for all your help!

[douglass]

how did it drive?