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[trukka]

Hello all,

Maybe someone can help diagnose my steering wheel problem please.

From a standing start ( in D )- engine at idle - as the car moves forward slowly the steering wheel moves back and forth very slightly. As road speed increases so does the oscillation - still only a few degrees back and forth but at a faster rate.

At about 40 mph the movement dies off. This is with the steering wheel straight ahead.When the steering is turned either way by about a  quarter turn ( or more ) left or right there is no oscillation - from standing start to 40 mph.

The car drives straight, tyre pressures checked, steering wheel is level,braking is in a straight line. Power steering fliud clean and correct level . MOT was done a few days ago - discs OK, tyres OK , bearings OK as were various bushes that were checked.

A pair of front roll bar drop links were renewed at the time - no change. This oscillation was occuring pre MOT for a couple of weeks by the way. Don't remember any recent driving over potholes or kerbing either.

I turned the steering box torx adjuster one quarter turn clockwise - no change.

I hope I don't have to go through the suspension dept at VX changing pairs of components in turn to get to the bottom of this !!

Any suggestions to my dilemma ?

Regards
Alexander

[Auto Addict]

Try swopping the wheels about, put the back on the front, and visa versa.

That should eliminate tyre wear.

[trukka]

Thanks - will try that in a day or two

Alexander

[Auto Addict]

Report back with your findings.

[trukka]

Yes - I will do - should nearside and offside be maintained - would diagonally swapping the fronts towards the rear even out any wear they may have received  ?

Regards
Alexander

[Andy B]

Yes - I will do - should nearside and offside be maintained - would diagonally swapping the fronts towards the rear even out any wear they may have received  ?

Regards
Alexander

Depends whether your tyres are directional.

[Cybertrucker]

This sounds identical to a problem I had with my Granada earlier in the year, which was found to be one of the front tyres going out of shape. I know you say it was MOT'd a few days ago, but MOT testers have been known to miss things, and I could only see the distortion when the tyre fitter took the wheel off and rolled it slowly along the ground.  The distortion may not be particularly noticeable on the outside of the tyre, but the cords may be breaking inside and causing the tyre to distort when the weight is applied at one point - a bit like having a tyre that's only flat in one place.

I'd be inclined to have a really good look at your front tyres, or better still get your friendly local tyre firm to take the wheels off and inspect them out in the daylight.  Alternatively instead of swapping your wheels round put your spare on each of the front wheels in turn and see if the problem goes away.  (If you do that make sure you don't confuse this problem with the general steering shake you'll get if your spare isn't balanced.)

[ians]

This sounds identical to a problem I had with my Granada earlier in the year, which was found to be one of the front tyres going out of shape. I know you say it was MOT'd a few days ago, but MOT testers have been known to miss things, and I could only see the distortion when the tyre fitter took the wheel off and rolled it slowly along the ground.  The distortion may not be particularly noticeable on the outside of the tyre, but the cords may be breaking inside and causing the tyre to distort when the weight is applied at one point - a bit like having a tyre that's only flat in one place.

I'd be inclined to have a really good look at your front tyres, or better still get your friendly local tyre firm to take the wheels off and inspect them out in the daylight.  Alternatively instead of swapping your wheels round put your spare on each of the front wheels in turn and see if the problem goes away.  (If you do that make sure you don't confuse this problem with the general steering shake you'll get if your spare isn't balanced.)

I suspect the same.  Don't rely on the MOT having given the entire circumference of every tyre a thorough check.

[lpgelite]

Agree with previous posts - sounds like you have a high spot on one tyre.

If this is towards the inner edge you may still feel it if it's put on the rear.

When swapping change front to back on same side to keep rotation the same.

Diagonal swapping wears tyres at frightening rate!

[trukka]

Hi all - problem solved !
One of the front tyres did indeed have a soft spot when my friendly tyre man swapped front and back wheels. Steering steady again.
He will change the rear tyres as well for me next week.
Thank you all for your input.
Regards
Alexander

[Cybertrucker]

Hi all - problem solved !
One of the front tyres did indeed have a soft spot when my friendly tyre man swapped front and back wheels. Steering steady again.
He will change the rear tyres as well for me next week.
Thank you all for your input.
Regards
Alexander

Glad to be of help!