why does my steering wheel shake...?

pete69zx · Post by **pete69zx** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:31 pm

after having the tracking & wheel balancing done on the front of my car, there is still a really bad vibration occuring!

it can occur @ different road speeds & different amounts of turn on the steering wheel @ speed.

its really pissing me off as i have no idea what it could be!

i contacted the local $tealers, & he told me that they seem to sell quite a few 'adapter sleves' for the Polo. Its only just undser a tenner, but i have some sneaking suspiscion that this wont help either:-(

the vibration is literally making the entire car shake like crazy!

any suggestions or cures please???

amstrange1 · Post by **amstrange1** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:42 pm

Has the driveshaft still got the balancing weight attached? CV joints are healthy?

Oh, and are the balancing weights still attached to the wheels? I got my new Yokos put on last week, and all bar one of the balance weights have now come off - so I'm going back on Monday to have a word. The vibration's bad, but not terrible.

pete69zx · Post by **pete69zx** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 2:00 pm

i believe the driveshaft still has the balancing weight attached. actually, i also get a 'clunk' type of noise from that side front wheel area, or more probable... the steering colum area itself.

yeah, the wheel weights are still attached.

my car has always suffered from this problem, & its really starting to get me worried now... maybee its been in a smash?????

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 4:44 pm

is the driveshaft straight?
all wheel bolts torqued right and adaptor ring in place if needed?
and again, are the constant velocity bearings ok?

oh and even if the weight is still attached (or you think it is) it may be worth checking that it's still attached *properly*. i had a shakey shake problem and it was still on there but had come out of adjustment somehow (didn't pry too deeply as i was just glad of it being fixed!)

amstrange1 · Post by **amstrange1** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 4:46 pm

How healthy are the top mounts? Is there much/any play in the suspension components when you jack the car up? What condition are the anti-roll bar mounts in?

If the steering column seems to be "clunking" and there's some play in the steering I'd check your steering column pinch bolt. These tend to come undone over time.

I guess you're just going to end up checking stuff over in a systematic manner, and replacing anything that's suspect to get to the bottom of it. At least you know your tracking and wheel balancing are sorted though!

ste mk1lx · Post by **ste mk1lx** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 6:00 pm

pete, check the actual steering colum, i seem to remember somebody on here posting about theirs becomeing loose all the time and causeing the sort of problems you're experianceing.

metz · Post by **metz** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 11:44 am

Yeah mine was loose, and the wheel felt vague allowing the wheels to wobble.

mine turned out to be a combination of loose bolt and arb rubbers though.

still got a clunking sound coming from the passenger side somewhere over bumps though so no idea what that is

like andy says though, systematically go through one thing after another changing them if u suspect it could be worn.

louise_gt · Post by **louise_gt** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:33 am

yeah mines was coming loose all the time aswell, but i was still having very shaky steering when it was tight, if i hit small bumps the car was skipping across the road

, last week i renewed the anti roll bar bushes and the drivers side track control arm and its a lot better now.

pete69zx · Post by **pete69zx** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:29 pm

Tahrey1043 wrote:is the driveshaft straight?

I don't know if the driveshaft is straight or not. How can i test this?

pete69zx · Post by **pete69zx** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:37 pm

amstrange1 wrote:How healthy are the top mounts?

Both top mounts are brand new from ECP.

amstrange1 wrote:Is there much/any play in the suspension components when you jack the car up?

No play in any of the suspension components, appart from steering wheel feel.

amstrange1 wrote:What condition are the anti-roll bar mounts in?

Roll bar mounts are those solid green type ones, from a Polo Cup car???

amstrange1 wrote:If the steering column seems to be "clunking" and there's some play in the steering I'd check your steering column pinch bolt. These tend to come undone over time.

Where is the pinch bolt situated & what will i need to tighten it up with?

amstrange1 wrote:I guess you're just going to end up checking stuff over in a systematic manner, and replacing anything that's suspect to get to the bottom of it. At least you know your tracking and wheel balancing are sorted though!

Believe me, i have replaced almost everything i can think could be related to the vibration situation

pete69zx · Post by **pete69zx** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:42 pm

The vibration really does seem to be comming from the driverside of the car (front wheel area/steering colum area).

Im starting to think maybee some new driveshafts & CV ends could help the situation??

Are there any differences between AAV, 3F & PY engined driveshafts?

Just could be a good upgrade if the PY ones are a bit more 'beefier' & will fit directly to the AAV hubs.

Sorry, im just used to Peugeot 205GTi driveshafts/hubs.... 1.6 & 1.9 are different independantly. Hopefully Mk3 Polo's will all be the same

amstrange1 · Post by **amstrange1** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 11:03 pm

The column pinch bolt is easy enough to find from inside the car. Follow the column down from the wheel, and in the pedal box area you'll see the bolt I'm talking about - it just clamps one part of the column to another (or the rack, I forget which).

If you're using the green nylon ARB mounts you have got them fitted correctly, along with the clamps too?

I'd start with sorting the play in the steering next, and going from there. That can make the car vibrate a fair bit. It needs sorting anyway, so you may as well do it to eliminate it I guess!

Another thought as to possible sources of vibration - is there a lot of play in the output flanges on the gearbox? Any nasty gearbox noises to indicate ill 'box health?

pete69zx · Post by **pete69zx** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:31 am

amstrange1 wrote:If you're using the green nylon ARB mounts you have got them fitted correctly, along with the clamps too?

Whats the correct way... so the hole is offset towards the back of the car, or the front of the car?

I 'THINK' i have them offset towards the back of the car

pete69zx · Post by **pete69zx** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:36 pm

Tried the pinch bolt, was tight already.

After some further investigation... i think its the 'steering box' thats worn. Is this a common problem & is it easily fixed?

Im gonna buy one from ECP in a week or two i think. Fairly reasonably priced & around Â£50ish including VAT

pete69zx · Post by **pete69zx** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:04 am

so whats the correct way to fit the green nylon arb bushes then???