Why does my stearing wheel shake?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
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From: Leander TX
Why does my stearing wheel shake?
I just got back from a 300 mile trip and i noticed that at any speed over 75 MPH my steering wheels shakes very badly. It makes me not feel comfortable with my car. The car itself doesn't shake practically at all if any at all but the steering wheel jumps around like mad. It almost feels as if my wheels are shaking but I know that is not true. What gives. I feel more comfortable in my miata at 110 than my vette at 80. And I have over 3 grand in suspension mods on my vette. This iincludes new shocks, ball joints, poly bushings, adj strut rods, AFS 17 X 9.5 wheels (stock 16), rack and pinion, and wheel bearings. It has done this before and after all the suspension replacements. Anybody have any ideas. My girlfriend said that the ride was very smooth but she even noticed the stearing wheel shaking. I need help, please. Any sugestions greatly needed.
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Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (85WHITEZ51)
there was another thread here or in General about it, its a common thing, i dont even notice mine anymore
Safety Car
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From: Springfield VA
Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (85WHITEZ51)
It sounds like you have replaced all of the usuall suspects. About the only thing left are the rotors. If the rotors are warped you might feel them surging under heavy braking or an extreme vibration at speeds. Remove your wheels and spin the rotor while looking straight down on it. If its the rotors you should be able to see it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Leander TX
Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (85WHITEZ51)
If it was my rotors wouldn't the car shake and not the steering wheel only?
I wish I could ignore it but when it shakes so bad that it is hard to hold on to the wheel it is hard to ignore. Sometimes and I do mean sometimes when I get lets say above 100-110MPH it smooths out a bit. Could that also be a symptom of bad rotors?
I wish I could ignore it but when it shakes so bad that it is hard to hold on to the wheel it is hard to ignore. Sometimes and I do mean sometimes when I get lets say above 100-110MPH it smooths out a bit. Could that also be a symptom of bad rotors?
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From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (85WHITEZ51)
I know what you mean, my car's been getting the shakes starting from 50mph onwards. It's getting pretty annoying. :mad :mad :mad The thing is, I got new tires, had them balanced and did a 4 wheel alignment. I don't know what else to check. I'm going to replace the brake fluid this coming weekend and also check the plugs. Hopefully it either one or more brakes binding or perhaps one spark plug's not firing. Changing them will help. I don't know.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
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From: Leander TX
Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (CoolVette86)
A bad fireing cylender could cause this. If so, then I know my problem. I have about 8 leaky injectors. I thought it would be suspension related. As for the alighnment it should be good as I had it done last week.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,581
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From: Springfield VA
Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (85WHITEZ51)
If it was my rotors wouldn't the car shake and not the steering wheel only?
I wish I could ignore it but when it shakes so bad that it is hard to hold on to the wheel it is hard to ignore. Sometimes and I do mean sometimes when I get lets say above 100-110MPH it smooths out a bit. Could that also be a symptom of bad rotors?
I wish I could ignore it but when it shakes so bad that it is hard to hold on to the wheel it is hard to ignore. Sometimes and I do mean sometimes when I get lets say above 100-110MPH it smooths out a bit. Could that also be a symptom of bad rotors?
The symptoms you are describing could be caused by any number of suspension, wheel or tire problems. But you said that you had replaced all of those recently. It doesn't cost anything except a little time to give them a visual inspection. As bad as the vibration is if its the rotors, you should be able to see it.
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Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (GiDvEtTe84)
This sounds crazy, but something similar happened before to me on my former 1986 Acura Integra 3-door hatchback.
The previous owner apparently caught a slow leak in the driver's side rear tire and put a can of that Fix-A-Flat spray stuff in there.
I went mad trying to figure out why the steering column would suddenly vibrate and shimmy like mad when I got over 65 mph or so. I Had the tires balanced, four-wheel thrust aligned, you name it. All to no avail.
Finally, the frustrated tire store manager decided to pull the tire off the wheel. Lo and behold. That stop leak goo had separated from the inside of the tire wall and was flinging around like a gerbil in a clothes dryer! :eek:
You probably know this and forgive my preaching to the choir, but when it comes to diagnosing auto or any other kind of repairs, think AAS: Always Assume the Simple! Good luck.
[Modified by onedef92, 10:38 AM 2/26/2002]
The previous owner apparently caught a slow leak in the driver's side rear tire and put a can of that Fix-A-Flat spray stuff in there.
I went mad trying to figure out why the steering column would suddenly vibrate and shimmy like mad when I got over 65 mph or so. I Had the tires balanced, four-wheel thrust aligned, you name it. All to no avail.
Finally, the frustrated tire store manager decided to pull the tire off the wheel. Lo and behold. That stop leak goo had separated from the inside of the tire wall and was flinging around like a gerbil in a clothes dryer! :eek:
You probably know this and forgive my preaching to the choir, but when it comes to diagnosing auto or any other kind of repairs, think AAS: Always Assume the Simple! Good luck.
[Modified by onedef92, 10:38 AM 2/26/2002]
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Huntington Beach CA
Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (GiDvEtTe84)
What he said. I had a 300ZX that I took in to have the tires balanced. My left rear wouldn't balance. They broke the tire down and found that fix a flat monkey snot. It would move around when the tire was spinning changing the balance of the tire. They charge me 20 bucks to get that crap out and balance the tire. They were actually _issed about it.
Flynn :reddevil
Flynn :reddevil
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Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (thedevl)
And with good reason. Injuries have occurred from the use of these inexpensive "sealants."
The Houston Chronicle reported that Houston-based Pennzoil-Quaker State Co. issued a voluntary recall of all its Fix-A-Flat tire inflator products, saying unsafe repair practices could cause explosions.
According to the article, there have been six explosions involving welding of rims holding tires believed to contain Fix-A-Flat propellant. Some 30 million cans have been sold since 1996 alone. The incidents resulted in five injuries and one death.
Two injuries they cited resulted from tire repairmen attempting on-the-wheel plug repairs. In each case a reamer was inserted into the tire puncture, and the tire exploded.
The tire obviously contained an explosive mixture and only needed an ignition source. It is likely that sparks resulting from the reamer contacting steel belts provided the ignition source. :eek:
The Houston Chronicle reported that Houston-based Pennzoil-Quaker State Co. issued a voluntary recall of all its Fix-A-Flat tire inflator products, saying unsafe repair practices could cause explosions.
According to the article, there have been six explosions involving welding of rims holding tires believed to contain Fix-A-Flat propellant. Some 30 million cans have been sold since 1996 alone. The incidents resulted in five injuries and one death.
Two injuries they cited resulted from tire repairmen attempting on-the-wheel plug repairs. In each case a reamer was inserted into the tire puncture, and the tire exploded.
The tire obviously contained an explosive mixture and only needed an ignition source. It is likely that sparks resulting from the reamer contacting steel belts provided the ignition source. :eek:
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Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (onedef92)
Take it to a shop with a Hunter Engineering GSP-9700 Vibration Analyzer. A normal wheel balance and alignment often will not correct vibration problems because they don't look at many other factors such as run-out, out of round tires and wheel force variation. Check out their web site for more info and location of a shop.
It worked wonders on mine at a very reasonable cost ($40). Good to a least 120 MPH now. :)
http://www.gsp9700.com
[Modified by Wildride, 5:10 PM 2/26/2002]
It worked wonders on mine at a very reasonable cost ($40). Good to a least 120 MPH now. :)
http://www.gsp9700.com
[Modified by Wildride, 5:10 PM 2/26/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Gloucester Va
Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (Wildride)
KNow your wheels are new but I just went through the samething turned out my rims were bent. Funny thing is the car was fine a few days before. Then drove it and it started vib. I replaced my rims and all is well.
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From: Alexandria, Virginia, USA VA
Re: Why does my stearing wheel shake? (ASRoff)
mine does this and it kinda comes and goes. I will check the balance, rims, etc... the wheel goes back and forth just a bit, might be a bad suspension bushing or rack and pinion too I guess.
the hunter machine sounds really cool, thanks for the link. :yesnod:
the hunter machine sounds really cool, thanks for the link. :yesnod:
