Pulse or bouncing steering wheel...

[bigkavr]

This problem started a week ago and is hard to explain but here goes. . After making a turn and my steering wheel starts to return to its center position, it pulses or bounces almost like it's in FWD on dry pavement (But without the front end bouncing too). . At times, it's very annoying, and once, for a whole day, it went away. Then came back the next day. . this is only happening when the wheel is returning to center. It has never happened on the highway and except for the normal slight steering wander, my steering is "normal".



3 months ago (at 78,000 miles) I replaced the balljoints, (NAPA lowers, Carli uppers) steering dampener (Carli), panhard bar (Carli) and inner axle u-joints (Factory) The rest of the steering components appear ok. (?)

Last night, I drained all the power steering fluid and replaced. . Alas, it didn't help.



I realize the rest of the steering components (i. e. tierod ends) are at the end of their life cycle and will need to be replaced, but this issue is baffling me to no end. .



Is this a pump going bad, or a combination of everything else that I have not replaced yet? I'll be hauling explosives (1. 3 C fireworks) next week so I'd like to get this problem fixed before that time. Thanks. .

Bigkavr

 

[Slow Six]

Could be a bad steering box.

 

[TBartlett1]

I'm going to assume the u-joints are non grease-able.

One of the front outer u-joints is going bad and is temporally seizing and causing the shake.

When any non-grease-able u-joints are installed they must be greased during installation. My guess is that they were not and thus are in a failure mode.

To check them turn the wheels fully left or right then jack up the front wheels and attempt to turn the wheel they should turn freely.

If it turns hard then springs back the joint is stuck. Get it replaced NOW.

It may be possible to temporally free-up the joint by pulling back the grease seal and getting some penetrating oil in. This has worked for me buying me some time.



Hope this helps



Tim

 

[bigkavr]

Tim,

As the late Ed used to say on Jonny Carson, "You are correct Sir"! Even though the u-joints are only 5 months old and have under 10,000 miles on them, the drivers side joint is seizing... I tested it like you suggested and lo and behold, the left wheel was a bitc* to rotate a full revolution. It is quite ovious that my blinders were on and I failed to think of the u-joints since they were just replaced in January of this year... . And yes, I greased them before assembly but alas, either I fubared the instalation or the u-joint was defective. I'll know for sure tomorrow when I remove it. . Thanks again for everyones input and help. .

Brian

 

[SSell]

glad you found it, I was going to say tire beginning to seperate pretty much fits your description----had a general do this earlier this year, took couple days to figure it out

 

[bigkavr]

I R&Red the drivers side inner u-joint today and there was no question that it was the culprit... Two cups (opposite) were bone dry and bound up and the other two were like brand new. Once again, this proves how valuable this web-site and magazine truly are. Thanks to all for your fast response. .



Brian

 

[CMB]

I know this is an old post but it described my issue exactly. I couldn't agree more, this site proves its value time and time again! I can't thank the developers enough.


Just in case no one has mentioned it lately-
GREAT JOB AND THANKS AGAIN!

 

[AMink]

I had that pulse on return to center. My steering box was shot.

 

[Lena01]

thanks for your interesting and cool posts..