Car wandering, steering wheel shake

[dann2707]

I'm still having troubles with my car

So far I have,

Replaced rear discs with new bearings
New brakes all around even
New inner tracks and track rod ends
Four-wheel Hunter alignment
Swapped tyres over front to rear

And I'm getting a steering wheel shake from 40mph onwards and when at around 50mph going around corners it's pulling my left and right and just doesn't inspire confidence. It's really quite scary at times as I don't feel in control.

I've checked the steering rack bushes and the thing isn't moving what so ever.

Checked the mount under the battery and that hasn't snapped etc, one at the other side is fairly new too.

Pulling my hair out as I'm spending money on fuel going to work etc but not fully enjoying the car what So ever

I don't think it's the balancing of the tyres as surely that wouldn't take effect until 60mph not 40mph? And that wouldn't cause this pull left and right?

Thanks, Daniel

 

[dann2707]

One thing to note too, when I brake hard it's pulling my car to one side quite a lot. Could this be worn wishbone bushes?

 

[Diagro]

Your alloys may need balancing?

 

[Simon_16v]

I'd say wheels need balancing. There's no predetermined speed at when the steering will wobble, it depends how untrue the tyre is.

As for the pulling to the side I'm not sure, did you get a print out from your alignment? Normally pulling to one side when braking is a sticking brake caliper.

 

[Simon_16v]

Also from looking at your recent brake replacement, did you grease the caliper pins that allow it to move side to side?

 

[dann2707]

Thanks for the replies guys

Going to regrease the calipers today although I did them fairly recently when I painted them. Can bushes in the wishbone just fail randomly rather than wearing?

 

[Addicted]

Yep certainly sounds like a wheel balance issue.

I had it where the wheel wasn't balanced properly, and it produced NO vibrations, but made the steering wander!

 

[dann2707]

I'll have a look to see if they've come off

I've just realised I stupidly haven't actually changed the wishbone ball joints!! I didn't realise there were two ball joints.

Could this lead to the sloppiness. Just removed one and it feels fairly slack. Not ridiculous but not nice and stiff??

 

[Simon_16v]

Well jack the car up, hold one front wheel at the top and bottom and give it a wiggle. If there's any movement then ball joint is goosed, if there isn't then they should be fine.

But when you grease the pins up the caliper should move freely from side to side.

 

[dann2707]

I've ordered some anyway.

I'm starting to think the wandering could be from a worn dogbone mount?

I also get a clunk now and again when changing gear, sometimes it really struggles to go into gear and maybe that's what could explain why the car is all over the place when braking if it's not supported at the dogbone mount.

Ordered a powerflex one anyway!

 

[Darren S]

Your alloys may need balancing?

Yep - fixed my steering wheel shake issue at 50mph+

Best bet (if you can manage it) is to get the wheels off and wash the inside of the front alloys (or all of them, if you you've moved front to back previously) - with some warm water and washing up liquid. Fairy is brilliant at getting the CV grease off the inside of the front alloys and will give you much more accurate grounds for balancing the wheels afterwards.

D.

 

[Diagro]

Yep - fixed my steering wheel shake issue at 50mph+

Best bet (if you can manage it) is to get the wheels off and wash the inside of the front alloys (or all of them, if you you've moved front to back previously) - with some warm water and washing up liquid. Fairy is brilliant at getting the CV grease off the inside of the front alloys and will give you much more accurate grounds for balancing the wheels afterwards.

D.

That dirt can add some weight!

Plus the weights will stick to the alloy far better if its clean and degreased

 

[dann2707]

I did that at the weekend as the rears had loads and to be honest I think it's decreased the shake! Going to get them balanced properly.

Do my symptoms sound like a dogbone issue also do you guys reckon?

 

[dann2707]

Also the car judders when setting off, like I really have to ride the clutch to not stall x

 

[Addicted]

Take a to a specialist. I see multiple issues here imo, and guesswork won't really help.

 

[dann2707]

Wish I had time to

 

[Diagro]

What sort of shake is it now?

I had some shake after getting new wheels which has now gone when i went from a Powerflex Dogbone to a New OEM one. Much better.

Oh and the judder i used to have from pulling away in 1st is virtually gone with the OEM dogbone

 

[Simon_16v]

Dog bone mount won't cause wandering.

If you come through to Selby one evening I'll have a look at it. I'm by no means a mechanic but have some experience.

 

[dann2707]

Dog bone mount won't cause wandering.

If you come through to Selby one evening I'll have a look at it. I'm by no means a mechanic but have some experience.

That'd be awesome mate thanks for the offer! I'll fit these new balljoint tonight and see if it improves it.

Really am hoping so.

 

[James28]

I'd say wheel balancing too.
It might not be this but there's no reason not to eliminate, its like a tenner to have done, and it cured my wheel shake

 

[Simon_16v]

Any change since you replace the ball joints?

 

[dann2707]

Any change since you replace the ball joints?

Honestly mate, I think it's fixed it!! I'm still getting a slight juddering probably due to the wheels need balancing butttt it's not pulling when accelerating and braking anymore and I only got a little chance to have some fun and it doesn't seem to be pulling me around anymore! Going to get the wheels balanced now and report back

 

[Simon_16v]

To be honest I'd get your wheels balanced and also have the tracking checked as the new ball joints may have put it out slightly and you don't want to wreck your tyres!

 

[dann2707]

To be honest I'd get your wheels balanced and also have the tracking checked as the new ball joints may have put it out slightly and you don't want to wreck your tyres!

Haha funny you say that, got it all booked in for a realignment on Friday and the tyres balanced! He's only charging me £15 too for the alignment which is ideal

 

[Simon_16v]

Hopefully it'll be sorted.

You coming to performance french car show?

 

[dann2707]

Hopefully it'll be sorted.

You coming to performance french car show?

Aye. As always I'll report back as it might help others in my situation.

Nope don't really intend to mate, not really my thing haha

 

[dann2707]

Just replying back to this thread to say my problems have completely gone after the wishbone balljoint change. Car feels so dialed after the wheel alignment, well happy!!

 

[Darren S]

Just replying back to this thread to say my problems have completely gone after the wishbone balljoint change. Car feels so dialed after the wheel alignment, well happy!!

Excellent! Good to hear that its running true again

D.