Steering Vibes
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
Steering Vibes
I have an annoying vibration in the steering system in my 72, 42k original miles. I have replaced many front end items, bushings, shocks, bearings, alignment, tire, etc without any effect on the vibration. So I guess I am down to the steering box/system. Anyone have any similar issues or possible repairs ideas. Rebuild the box? Replace? New rag joint?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
you did everything except what is the most common cause of steering wheel vibration.wheel balance.i just had to remove my spinners because the wheels could not be balanced properly with them on.now i'm looking for something to cover my hubs.good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Tires is likely your source. Just because they are 'new' or some yahoo in a tire store says they were balanced doesn't mean they aren't going to vibrate/shake. Tires can be out of round: they balance fine until you get them running on the road...then they shake the heck out of you. You need to go to a full-service auto mechanic shop that does wheel balances and will check out-of-round conditions.
The 'backyard' mechanic's method for seeing if tires are involved is to 'exchange' the tire set (in an "X" format) to see if the vibration "moves" to a different location on the car.
The 'backyard' mechanic's method for seeing if tires are involved is to 'exchange' the tire set (in an "X" format) to see if the vibration "moves" to a different location on the car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
Thanks for the reply. I am on my third set of tires, all have been balanced on and off the car, still slight shake. My steering shaft coming from the rag joint to the column has quite a bit of play/slop. I thought others may have had this issue.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the ragjoint is 'shot', that's your problem. But it also can be dangerous...depending on how deteriorated the flex disc is. The only thing in the steering column shaft that can allow such movement is bad bearings.
