Steering wheel shakes but not all the time
05-16-2009, 02:11 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Steering wheel shakes but not all the time
Sometimes at random my steering wheel starts to shake with a knocking noise but then goes away. I dont know if the steering wheel isnt tight enough because I had to take it off to align my wheel with the tires. What is the recommended torque to reinstall a steering wheel? I have recently installed 8mm spacers to the front that were somewhat off the center but it didnt affect the shaking. Ive heard of a lug nut technique but they all weigh the same.
Thank you to all that reply
Thank you to all that reply
Last edited by LP944; 05-16-2009 at 02:13 AM. Reason: missed a detail
05-16-2009, 11:19 AM
#2
Could be that your power steering is on and off, and it shakes when it's out. My system has a leak, so when there is fluid, it runs just fine, doesn't shake through the bumps, but as soon as I lose the fluid, I feel every curve in the street in the palm of my hand.
05-16-2009, 12:01 PM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
Well I have an early '83 with no power steering, so i know that cannot be a problem. Ive heard the balljoints and tie rods going bad on my year is prett common, but I was hoping thats not the case.
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05-16-2009, 01:53 PM
#9
Check the brakes and bearings, probably your brakes, either pads or discs. If its unbalance in the tires you will notice it between 90 and 120 km/h or your equivalent in mph. So first check is to balance wheels and tires if thats done, or while the wheels are off, have a look at the pads and disc wear. The on and off thing makes it look like a mechanical part.
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05-16-2009, 02:57 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
You probably need new tires. I would assume you have dry rot and new tires would take care of the issue. It does not matter how good the tread is if your are tires are old.
05-16-2009, 07:31 PM
#11
7th Gear
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Mine does the same thing, 83 with manual steering. It also hunts or follows the worn sections of highway on really old roads.
Might want to check the joints in your steering shaft. Only one joint has some loose play in mine, and it's not terrible. It does not make a knocking sound, but it will make a light metallic sound, maybe yours is louder because of more wear. Under certain conditions it shows up as a slight shake in the steering wheel, my best guess is because of a relation to caster/tire temp/road surface.
Just get someone to gently rock the steering wheel while you eyeball the joints with a bright light, it will be easy to tell if that's it.
Might want to check the joints in your steering shaft. Only one joint has some loose play in mine, and it's not terrible. It does not make a knocking sound, but it will make a light metallic sound, maybe yours is louder because of more wear. Under certain conditions it shows up as a slight shake in the steering wheel, my best guess is because of a relation to caster/tire temp/road surface.
Just get someone to gently rock the steering wheel while you eyeball the joints with a bright light, it will be easy to tell if that's it.
