Steering Wheel Vibration

[xpeteyjtx]

Im having a few problems with steering...

Im getting a little steering wheel vibration when the car is idling. It isn't that bad, but i can still feel it. Maybe this is normal.

When Im driving and go over a big bump, I can feel the steering wheel move around... it sort of feels like the column is absorbing the bump.

I was driving on the highway and decided to drive a little fast. I got to 110 and the steering wheel starting vibrating like a mother ****er. I know I know, I probably shouldnt be driving that fast, but I only did it once. Im thinking this may be due to crappy front tires/bad alignment/bad balancing of tires, but I'm not sure.

Also, when the car is not moving, I can turn the wheel, but after about 1/4 of a turn, the steering gets stuck. If i start driving, the binding goes away.

Sorry for the loooong post. Im definitely going to get new tires, an alignment, and Im installing a strut tower brace. I just want to know what else I should do? Replace rack bushings? Tie rods? Thanks.

 

[HISSIN50]

Is the car lowered? I would go over the entire system. You could have the steering shaft hitting a header, worn rag joint, bump steer, caster issues, etc. It would be very difficult for someone to diagnose over a computer - the best we can do is toss out ideas.

I would, of course, recommend not driving the car and having a professional assess what needs replacement/adjustment.

Good luck.

 

[srothfuss]

Have you checked to see that the column is still bolted to the insturment panel? The part I don't understand is vibration while the car is stationary. Unless the motor is running really crappy, what could be hitting the column?

Out of balance tires can cause a very bad vibration, but so can a lot of other worn our parts. Maybe you should drive slower until you figure it out?

 

[HISSIN50]

Srothfuss, if the steering shaft is hitting a header, it will vibrate stationary. I hate to take a hammer to a header pipe, but...........

 

[88Stangboy]

Srothfuss, if the steering shaft is hitting a header, it will vibrate stationary. I hate to take a hammer to a header pipe, but...........

Hmm, thats what i was thinking, but wouldn't you hear it tapping against it? Unless its pressed up against the shaft pretty hard, catch my drift?

I would make sure all my bolts, etc were tight and in place, sounds to me like stuff is really loose down there. Probably a combination of problems. Out of balance tire, worn bushings, etc. All the problems of a 15ish year old car. Take it to an alignment shop and have them look it over.

And 110 on the highway with your steering doing that? Dude, your crazy, i'd be a little worried someting would come loose, etc. Something might lock up, anything goes wrong going that fast and you can pretty much kiss your ass goodbye, there isn't much chance your going to get back control over the car if anything does go wrong . lol

 

[xpeteyjtx]

And 110 on the highway with your steering doing that? Dude, your crazy, i'd be a little worried someting would come loose, etc. Something might lock up, anything goes wrong going that fast and you can pretty much kiss your ass goodbye, there isn't much chance your going to get back control over the car if anything does go wrong . lol

Yea, thats why I only did it once lol

Just to clear stuff up:

The steering also feels a little loose when driving (just at the top of the steering wheel when the car is going straight, I hope that made sense)

When the steering wheel shakes at idle, its like its absorbing some vibration from something. My mom has an 04 Mitsubishi Galant, and when I put my hand on the shifter, I can feel a vibration. This is kinda what my steering wheel feels like, only a little worse. Once it starts moving, you cant really feel the vibration, until I got to 110 that time, and when I feel a "jolt" when I hit a bump.

The car is not lowered.

I will definitely get that checked out, thanks for the advice.

 

[icarus]

My first thought from your description, steering rack bushings. However, the above is good advise, have the whole front end looked over for worn or loose parts.

Mark

 

[xpeteyjtx]

How much would getting new bushings installed cost me? I know that the actual bushings are around 20 bucks, but what about labor.

 

[352Ford2]

I had a simular problem when I bought my 88lx, I took the steering colum apart and found the bolts that clamp on the steering wheel to the colum were loose

I got the car cheap because of that (there were a few other issues too) and it was free to fix

 

[HISSIN50]

If wanting to tighten the fasteners in the column, a search will reveal an internet article (I posted it some time ago, as have others. I cant find it right now).
I was able to do like 352 did, and with simply removing the first two fasteners (behind the multi function switch IIRC), threadlocking them, and reinstalling them, I removed most of the actual slop in the steering column.

Good luck.