Steering Wobble after balancing done?

[AD Ent]

Been having some steering wobble at around 50mph+ which is quite bad and can not drive through it. I tried it up to 70mph and it didn't clear. So today I had the front wheels balanced and I watched him do it, they were quite bad. Thing is when I went up the road it was still the same?? :nenau

What else should I be looking at for a cause?

 

[Banshee]

Been having some steering wobble at around 50mph+ which is quite bad and can not drive through it. I tried it up to 70mph and it didn't clear. So today I had the front wheels balanced and I watched him do it, they were quite bad. Thing is when I went up the road it was still the same?? :nenau

What else should I be looking at for a cause?

Wheel Bearings, when I fitted mine incorrectly on the passengers side it was terrible!!!!

No damage to tyres? Bulges or anything?

Also check Tie Rod Ends

 

[rustic]

Swap wheels over for the rear ones and try again.

Other issues could be...
Wear in bearings, top and bottom ball joints, track rod ends, loose wheel nuts, wear in the steering arm or steering idler, or wear in the steering box.

Lots of things to check, but shouldn't take long.
I'm not sure what worn shocks would do, but worth checking.

Rustic

 

[AD Ent]

Wheel bearings were refitted after I put new discs on. How can they be fitted incorrectly?

 

[AD Ent]

How do I know if tie rods are gone?

 

[Peasgood1]

How do I know if tie rods are gone?

Your wheels wobble

 

[AD Ent]

Your wheels wobble

:clap

But how do I check em?

 

[Peasgood1]

Jack the front of the car up, put it on axle stands.
turn the steering to full lock and take the keys out so the steering lock engages.
Try to turn the wheel while watching the joints. Movement in the joint is bad.
You can do it on your own but it is easier with one rocking the wheel and one watching the joints.
There are a lot of joints so check all of them.
Tie rod each side, each with two knuckles, cross bar/ pitman, deadman or whatever it is called plus the steering idler etc.

 

[Sweety]

Am I right in thinking the guy had to add alot more weight onto each wheel ? if he did he balanced it up wrong as every weight should be taken off then balanced but if the is still a spot that needs alot them the tyre should be turned on the rim about 90' again sticking just to the tyres some tyres the tread will start to lift away from the main carcass which causes vibration this can happen on any tyre from remolds to the top brands

 

[rustic]

Am I right in thinking the guy had to add alot more weight onto each wheel ? if he did he balanced it up wrong as every weight should be taken off then balanced but if the is still a spot that needs alot them the tyre should be turned on the rim about 90' again sticking just to the tyres some tyres the tread will start to lift away from the main carcass which causes vibration this can happen on any tyre from remolds to the top brands

That's why I suggested swapping front wheels for back, move the problem, and possibly eliminate front axle area issues.

 

[AD Ent]

Am I right in thinking the guy had to add alot more weight onto each wheel ? if he did he balanced it up wrong as every weight should be taken off then balanced but if the is still a spot that needs alot them the tyre should be turned on the rim about 90' again sticking just to the tyres some tyres the tread will start to lift away from the main carcass which causes vibration this can happen on any tyre from remolds to the top brands

I think and I watched him take off all the weights before he spun it. Not sure now though.... Wouldn't be the first time I've had tyres balanced wrong.

 

[AD Ent]

Jack the front of the car up, put it on axle stands.
turn the steering to full lock and take the keys out so the steering lock engages.
Try to turn the wheel while watching the joints. Movement in the joint is bad.
You can do it on your own but it is easier with one rocking the wheel and one watching the joints.
There are a lot of joints so check all of them.
Tie rod each side, each with two knuckles, cross bar/ pitman, deadman or whatever it is called plus the steering idler etc.

Thanks for this. :thumbs

 

[AD Ent]

when I refitted the bearings I think I may have over tightened. I turned the lock ring tight with 2 alan keys in the holes to get a good nip up, and then tapped the lock ring round very tight with hammer and screwdriver. There is no play but have I overdone it? would this cause wobble?

 

[macabethiel]

Wheel Wobble

Been having some steering wobble at around 50mph+ which is quite bad and can not drive through it. I tried it up to 70mph and it didn't clear. So today I had the front wheels balanced and I watched him do it, they were quite bad. Thing is when I went up the road it was still the same?? :nenau

What else should I be looking at for a cause?

OK I try to start at the beginning with issues like this.
When did it start have you done / changed anything that caused the problem ?
Look at what you did and try to undue it.
Does the wobble start at a particular speed and get worse as you go faster and then peak ?
If the answer is yes it is probably a buckled or flat spotted wheel rim. Very common on modern alloy wheels.
The place that balanced your wheels will normally tell you if the rims are buckled - did you ask them ?
If you go to a reputable tyre firm and tell them you have a wheel wobble they will check the obvious things like track rod ends, idler links etc. If the place that did the wheel balance is local take it back and explain its no better.

Switching wheels front to back is fine but then you have to be sure the rear wheels are balanced before you swap them over. Rear wheels are not as sensitive to wheel balance issues as the stub axle holds them quite firmly and they have to shake the whole axle to be felt.
That said I had a problem with some cheap tyres on a previous vehicle where water got in between the tyre layers through a slight puncture that did not go right through all the layers and they just would not balance. It became so bad that I could feel the judder even when I put the wheels on the back. I ended up changing all the tyres for Michelins.

 

[AD Ent]

sorted. The tyre was fugged. I swapped it for one I have in the cellar. it's legal but not great. keep my eye out for another 2 on ebay.

 

[Sweety]

sorted. The tyre was fugged. I swapped it for one I have in the cellar. it's legal but not great. keep my eye out for another 2 on ebay.

What was up with the tyre ? tread breaking away ?

 

[AD Ent]

What was up with the tyre ? tread breaking away ?

I bought 5 part worn BFG's. 1 of them had uneven wear from the start. It had lost its shape and fell over to one side, it wouldn't stand up on the floor. I'll measure it later but I would say it goes 6mm to 2mm across the tyre. I'd better get my track checked too but the other side is wearing very evenly