Why Would Steering Wheel Pulse Sideways at 50mph?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Why Would Steering Wheel Pulse Sideways at 50mph?
I recently purchased my '82 Vette and am fixing lots of stuff and am now trying to figure out why the wheel moves back/forth sideways between 45 - 55 mph. It's not super bad but definitely out of the ordinary and needs to be addressed. The car has 85,000miles on it and I don't know all the history of maint. First thing I did was had the wheels balanced which did not help. Then I jacked it up and noticed both front wheels had excessive play. (esp. the drivers side). I could hand tighten the bolt that holds bearings in place almost 2 full turns. I torqued each side to 12 ft. lbs. and reinstalled the cotter pins and the problem is still there. I suppose the next step is to replace the bearings and races but looking for any other advise or ideas on what may be causing this.
A couple other ideas I have is a bent wheel or possibly a tire with a flat spot form sitting too long. Any experiences or ideas woudl be appreciated.
A couple other ideas I have is a bent wheel or possibly a tire with a flat spot form sitting too long. Any experiences or ideas woudl be appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
You didn't leave them torqued to 12 did you? I guess 12 is OK to seat them then you back it off, snug by hand & insert cotter pin. The balancer should have found a bent wheel or a tire problem, I say should have. Try swapping the front wheels to the back, if the problem persists - it's not the wheels. Check all front end parts for wear/loose, bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, pitman arm, etc.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I did leave them torqued at 12ft. lbs. Is this bad? Am I supposed to tighten to 12 and then back off to nearest cotter pin slot?
I do know that last owner did have new ball joints and A-arm bushings installed but will check the other susp. parts. I like the idea of swapping wheels and will try that too.
I do know that last owner did have new ball joints and A-arm bushings installed but will check the other susp. parts. I like the idea of swapping wheels and will try that too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Back off one flat and re-pin into the nearest hole.
When you say "back/forth sideways" I'm going to assume you don't mean the column is literally moving from side to side, but rather that you're describing a "shimmy" of the steering wheel, right?
Bent wheel or hub shouldn't only show up at 45-55. Flat spots from sitting a few weeks shouldn't remain after just a few miles (months/years may be a different story), and should typically be noticeable at other speeds as well. However, do take the time to carefully inspect your tires as I suspect you may have another problem developing. That was the culprit on my DD recently for a "shimmy" that came and went between 50-70. New tires solved it.
When you say "back/forth sideways" I'm going to assume you don't mean the column is literally moving from side to side, but rather that you're describing a "shimmy" of the steering wheel, right?
Bent wheel or hub shouldn't only show up at 45-55. Flat spots from sitting a few weeks shouldn't remain after just a few miles (months/years may be a different story), and should typically be noticeable at other speeds as well. However, do take the time to carefully inspect your tires as I suspect you may have another problem developing. That was the culprit on my DD recently for a "shimmy" that came and went between 50-70. New tires solved it.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; May 20, 2008 at 12:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Back off one flat and re-pin into the nearest hole.
When you say "back/forth sideways" I'm going to assume you don't mean the column is literally moving from side to side, but rather that you're describing a "shimmy" of the steering wheel, right?
Bent wheel or hub shouldn't only show up at 45-55. Flat spots from sitting a few weeks shouldn't remain after just a few miles (months/years may be a different story), and should typically be noticeable at other speeds as well. However, do take the time to carefully inspect your tires as I suspect you may have another problem developing. That was the culprit on my DD recently for a "shimmy" that came and went between 50-70. New tires solved it.
When you say "back/forth sideways" I'm going to assume you don't mean the column is literally moving from side to side, but rather that you're describing a "shimmy" of the steering wheel, right?
Bent wheel or hub shouldn't only show up at 45-55. Flat spots from sitting a few weeks shouldn't remain after just a few miles (months/years may be a different story), and should typically be noticeable at other speeds as well. However, do take the time to carefully inspect your tires as I suspect you may have another problem developing. That was the culprit on my DD recently for a "shimmy" that came and went between 50-70. New tires solved it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,446
Likes: 1,475
From: Little Rock AR
That can happen if you have a broken front spring. I had that happen to me on a 72 Impala. I added some spring spacers between the coils on the bad spring and the problem went away. 
-Mark.
-Mark.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
Could this be related to something to do with brakes? When you hit the brakes does it get better, worse, or stay the same... Mine shook pretty good upwards of 70mph, and much worse under brake load. Warped rotor I believe in my case. But again, much more pronounced under braking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I suspect tires or rims as well.
50 MPH is the exact speed where tire imbalance or warped rims show up as vibration.
Even when they balance a tire , a warped rim will show vibration while driving, but not on the balancer.
As mentioned B4, swap with the aft tires and check again.
Günther
I suspect tires or rims as well.
50 MPH is the exact speed where tire imbalance or warped rims show up as vibration.
Even when they balance a tire , a warped rim will show vibration while driving, but not on the balancer.
As mentioned B4, swap with the aft tires and check again.
Günther
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Find a shop that uses the Hunter GSP9700 tire balance machine. This machine virtually road tests your vehicle and tells the installer what position to mount the wheels to eliminate any vibration. If you have a bad wheel or tire, this machine will know!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Is this the machine that spins/balances the wheels while still on the car? If so - I think I know who's got one?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
www.gsp9700.com
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Nope, you're thinking of an ancient form of wheel balancer. The GSP9700 uses a road-force wheel to simulate actual on-road tire behavior. It often picks up problems that normal spin-balancing won't find. (I know a fair bit about that beastie, my cube was across the hall from the guy who designed the software when I worked at Hunter.)
www.gsp9700.com
www.gsp9700.com
