Steering Wheel Shakes (NOT BRAKES)

[RSVX]

OK, before we start here, I am not being closed minded, but lets just say that I KNOW my brakes are not warped.

Basically on a random basis in a high speed gradual turn (hwy speeds, hwy turns) my steering wheel will start to shake, and then gradually go away. Keep in mind the fact that I cannot reproduce this action, its very random, with the only similarity is that it happens ONLY in the high speed hwy turns, but not all the time.

Any ideas? I was thinking maybe somehow I got water in my tires, but that would not be as random, correct?

FYI: < 1year old ART Rotors, < 2 month old tires.

[RSVX]

OK, just found this thread

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...+Wheel+Shaking

I will try some of these when I get home.

If it is the ball joints or strut mounts, any estimate on cost?

[RSVX]

OK, so on the way home, I figured out that it only happens on RIGHT turns on the HWY. It does NOT do it on LEFT turns, unless I hit a bump, and even then, its only a slight shudder.

I tried what was suggested in the other thread, and on the Car's Left side, front wheel (obviously) it seems that there may be about a 1/4" play with a slight thump when it has travelled that distance. So that seems to be a tie rod as referenced in the other thread.

Now I ask this. Is this something I could do on my own (I used to fix aircraft for crying out loud) or should I have a shop do it. Also, what am I looking to pay, for say, parts, and how much labor time would a shop charge me for?

[Chicane]

how often do you rotate your tires? It could be bad tires......

- Rob

[RSVX]

Originally posted by RSVX
FYI: < 1year old ART Rotors, < 2 month old tires.

[SVXRide]

Okay, first off I didn't read the thread you found before typing this.....

Since the wheel only shakes during right turns, and not left, it sounds like maybe the front diff has issues? You might want to get the car up on a lift and have someone turn the wheel while you take a look from underneath (maybe something in the steering is binding up and feeding back through the steering wheel).

Good luck...let us know what you find.

[Earthworm]

My money is on the tie rod(s).

[RSVX]

Originally posted by Earthworm
My money is on the tie rod(s).

cost estimate, anyone?

Bueller?

[Mr. Pockets]

I bet it's a tie rod or ball joint. I see no reason to suspect the diff. My wife's Legacy shook in gradual left turns oun the freeway, and it was the right ball joint.

The part for the Legacy was, of course, available in he cheap aftermarket. I don't know about the SVX. Look on Subaruparts.com, then ad 50% for your local dealer's cost.

[svx_commuter]

I am thinking the inner tie rod(s) and or front axles. Do you get any "cracking" noises from turning, standing start, under load? I think my SVX was doing this, highway shake in turns, before I got the front axles replaced.

[RSVX]

Originally posted by svx_commuter
I am thinking the inner tie rod(s) and or front axles. Do you get any "cracking" noises from turning, standing start, under load? I think my SVX was doing this, highway shake in turns, before I got the front axles replaced.

The passenger side CV Axle has been replaced already (approx 6 months ago), as for the drivers side, I havent had any of the symptoms that the passnger side had when that went bad.

I should mention that the steering is a little loose (I think?) And that the wonderfull Jersey Roads with the sunken lanes (similar to on old dirt road, ruts where the tires ride) play hell with me by trying to take my car where the road wants it to go...

I'll be curious as to the final diagnosis, as I have the *exact* same problem with my SVX -- though in my case it happens in both turn directions and might be a little worse than your situation. Going over bumps on an offramp at high speed, it feels like the steering wheel is (practically) going to fly out of my hands.

But it doesn't.

[Earthworm]

shaking the wheel should tell you where the problem lies:

shaking the wheel front/back will tell you if a tie rod is worn
shaking the wheel top/bottom will tell you if a ball joint is worn

either case you will hear a clunking noise.

[SVXRide]

Originally posted by Earthworm
shaking the wheel should tell you where the problem lies:

shaking the wheel front/back will tell you if a tie rod is worn
shaking the wheel top/bottom will tell you if a ball joint is worn

either case you will hear a clunking noise.

Wheel = tire, not steering Wheel

Here's one you might not think about -- have you checked your power steering system? I had this problem with a Legacy on only right hand turns (the wheel would shake then gradually go away -- caused by fluctuations in the power assist). Changed the fluid, and the problem was solved (it had probably never been done in the car's 90K mile history). I have also had my SVX do the same thing when I was playing around with the power steering system (however not biased to one side). Anyway, it might be something to try if you've never changed the power steering fluid... ATF is only a couple bucks, and if you haven't done it before, it's not like it can hurt.

Of course, this doesn't quite jive with the "thump" you've mentioned.