Steering Wobble 1997 Model L200 Options

[xrxaa01]

Hi everybody,

hope somebody can help me / point me in the right direction.

My steering wheel wobbles considerably at a speed of 50mph (80kmph).
Begins slightly at 60kmph and ends at over 100kmph - climax at 80.
Replaced the idler arm bushings - really worn out - helped but not gone.
Balanced the wheels - problem persists.
Replaced the shock absorbers - helped too (were worn out anyway).
Still - very anoying wobble. And it will wear out the idler arm bushings fast too.
Checked the steering ball joints - seem good to me.
Checked the ball joints of wishbones - think they are O.K.
I am no expert - but maybe I have to take out the springs to be sure.
One thought - maybe the previous owner bought cheap brake discs
which were not balanced - could that cause a serious wobble?

Thanks in advance for any help / advice offered.

Michael

[chain rattle]

had the problem when i didnt have 4 matching tyres (treads)

does the car have a good steering rack /manual or power steering

[xrxaa01]

had the problem when i didnt have 4 matching tyres (treads)

does the car have a good steering rack /manual or power steering

Car has a power steering.
Joints are not new - but still good. (can jolt them and feel no play)
Guess if they weren´t good steering would wobble always ...
Had matching tyres in front (different from rear) and had to change one tire
in front - no real difference.
I will change front with rear tyres and see if it changes anything.

So much for now.
Will post again as soon as it´s done and tested.

[chain rattle]

this bit may give the clue

you said (And it will wear out the idler arm bushings fast too.)

maybe the car was in an accident

or something is screwy with the alignment

[xrxaa01]

this bit may give the clue

you said (And it will wear out the idler arm bushings fast too.)

maybe the car was in an accident

or something is screwy with the alignment

Hi chain rattle.
Can´t rule out the alignment till checked - but car runs staight
AND brakes straight.
Changed rear tyres to front and vice versa.
WOW. what a difference.
Thinking now your first tip was right (tire treads).
Still have one cheap chinese tyre in rear - will replace that one
with the spare - let´s see what changes.
If that´s what caused it -
detailed description of model maker and so on will follow.
till then
thanks a lot
and will keep u informed
Michael

[xrxaa01]

Hi chain rattle.
Can´t rule out the alignment till checked - but car runs staight
AND brakes straight.
Changed rear tyres to front and vice versa.
WOW. what a difference.
Thinking now your first tip was right (tire treads).
Still have one cheap chinese tyre in rear - will replace that one
with the spare - let´s see what changes.
If that´s what caused it -
detailed description of model maker and so on will follow.
till then
thanks a lot
and will keep u informed
Michael

Had the alignment checked.
Caster was O.K.
Camber just slightly out of limits.
1°10´ is the limit - was 1° 12´ - difference between left and right max. 30´was within limits.
Got that fixed.
Toe was over the limit on both sides.
Got that fixed too.
Haven´t been able to test thouroughly yet - but it seems better.

Will keep you posted as soon as I have tested thouroughly.

Michael

[xrxaa01]

Hi chain rattle,

did some driving lately.
Steering wobble is still there - but a very mild one now.
Only occurs when the road surface is bad enough to kind
of "ignite" the wobble.
The rubbers which are resposible for the toe being right are worn out.
Will get those replaced and have the toe adjusted again.

Keep U posted

Michael

[chain rattle]

a car that handles better
has to be safe

glad you are finding the faults
and fixing them when you can

well done

[xrxaa01]

a car that handles better
has to be safe

glad you are finding the faults
and fixing them when you can

well done

Hi chain rattle,

replaced the strut bar bushings and had the toe adjusted again.
Everything is fine now.
Hardly noticeable wobble at 80kmph (50 mph).
Either the tyres or that´s just how it is.
Hardly noticeable wobble on good road
and no noticeable wobble on bad road.

Conclusion:
I guess due to worn out strut bar bushings the toe
became wrong and the wobble then wore out
the idler arm bushings - to make things even worse.
The previous owner didn´t give a damn I guess ....
(First thing I did was change ALL belts - including both timing belts -
found out he changed the timing belts (with non original - I used mitsu parts)
and that he was to cheap to change the alternator belt at the same time -
which was REALLY worn out and close to ripping.
Hmmmm

Michael

P.S.: Will post again when I change all 5 tyres

[xrxaa01]

Hi chain rattle,

replaced the strut bar bushings and had the toe adjusted again.
Everything is fine now.
Hardly noticeable wobble at 80kmph (50 mph).
Either the tyres or that�s just how it is.
Hardly noticeable wobble on good road
and no noticeable wobble on bad road.

Conclusion:
I guess due to worn out strut bar bushings the toe
became wrong and the wobble then wore out
the idler arm bushings - to make things even worse.
The previous owner didn�t give a damn I guess ....
(First thing I did was change ALL belts - including both timing belts -
found out he changed the timing belts (with non original - I used mitsu parts)
and that he was to cheap to change the alternator belt at the same time -
which was REALLY worn out and close to ripping.
Hmmmm

Michael

P.S.: Will post again when I change all 5 tyres

O.K.
It´s been a while since I swapped all the cheap chinese tyres against Goodyear´s.
Runs like a dream now.

CONCLUSION:

If you have a steering wobble - check bushings and bearings for play.
If O.K. - check alignment.
If O.K. - make sure parts responsible for correct alignment are O.K.
In my case the rubbers for the strut were worn out - see posts.
If that´s all O.K. - maybe it´s the tyres - my cheap chinese tyres helped the wobble -
I´m guessing the design of the tread wasn´t so good - causes resonances.

If any of the above doesn´t help you - you just found a new cause.

Michael