Steering Issue

[NF7]

I changed the waterpump, tensioner and the belt (waterpump, ac, powersteering) in the summer. It was great.

Then after a month, the steering wheel started to vibrate when at low RPM. First gear and reverse are problematic. I can feel extensive vibration turning the wheel at 1-2k RPM. If I raise the RPM, the vibration goes away. It happens when the engine is cold and when it is at working temperature. I did not brush the curb or anything else, the road leading up to my house has speed bumps, but that should not be the culprit.

The vibration got even worse when fitting the winter tyres. I checked the tension of the belt (was fine), I checked the level of the oil of the power steering, it was fine.

Did anyone else run into the same issue? Is my power steering pump on the way out? Or is it maybe something different?

 

[Pedro]

Wheels need balancing?

 

[NF7]

Wheels need balancing?

They were balanced when fitting winters.

 

[Pedro]

Check the Brakes?

 

[NF7]

Check the Brakes?

What could be wrong with the brakes?

The steering wheel vibration goes away while the rpm gets higher (even in neutral).

 

[Jumper]

Try turning full lock Left and then Right whilst parked and listen for any stange noises on the power steering. If its normal then the power steering should be ok check its not leaking under the car as well. Do a couple of emergancy stops to check your brakes are not binding or getting hotter than usual. If all is OK then it may be suspension/wishbone bearings vibrating through the steering. You could also check nothing is catching or trapped in the steering rack/drive shaft bearing at the back of the engine.

 

[NF7]

Try turning full lock Left and then Right whilst parked and listen for any stange noises on the power steering. If its normal then the power steering should be ok check its not leaking under the car as well. Do a couple of emergancy stops to check your brakes are not binding or getting hotter than usual. If all is OK then it may be suspension/wishbone bearings vibrating through the steering. You could also check nothing is catching or trapped in the steering rack/drive shaft bearing at the back of the engine.

Will do. My car is currently in the shop for an unrelated issue but sadly they were not able to duplicate the issue with the steering wheel - thats why I’m looking for possible other options.

 

[Pedro]

The list for this issue is as long as your arm ie Brakes =sticking caliper/ uneven wear on the pads? Engine/gearbox mounts steering rack/arms- track rod ends suspension bushes etc etc etc

 

[Jumper]

Will do. My car is currently in the shop for an unrelated issue but sadly they were not able to duplicate the issue with the steering wheel - thats why I’m looking for possible other options.

Right OK. Let me know what you find out.

 

[NF7]

So, after the car was in the shop in December but the issue could not be replicated.

It happened again today but only it only vibrates when reaching 50-65% of turn to the right. When turning left its not felt.

It vibrated so hard, the passenger could felt it.

Bad bearings?

 

[Pedro]

Yes it is possibly the culprit as they can cause severe vibration if badly worn & Change both is if one's knackered (recommended) I assume the CV joints are in good condition?

 

[RCZ-R]

Put the car on a lift so the front wheels are freely rotating. Then start the engine and try to replicate the issue by turning the steering wheel to left/right in gear, in neutral, by low/high revs. If no vibrations occurs, then you can move on to the mechanical parts of the suspension.

 

[Pedro]

You could jack up the wheel & grip it in a 10 to 2 & 12.30 position & rock the wheel side to side or up & down movements to see if you can feel any play