steering wheel shakes....

[EricB]

I've swapped out the steering rack bushings to poly, I've swapped out the steering coupler to poly, and I've also put in the MSA T/C kit.

The wheels currently on the Z I installed 2mo ago I of course had them balanced. As an old good habit I duct taped over the wheel weights so they don't fall off. I've checked & all are still firmly in place.

What's been happening is this:

at medium speed (40-55mph) and in medium L and R corners (the steering wheel is turned 20-30degrees from its straight ahead position) I am getting a very noticeable vibration. It isn't really really bad but you also could not go without noticing it. I get just about no vibration at all when going straight ahead or when doing sharper turns at speed.

I believe that at least my RF shock is dying or already dead. I wouldn't be surprised if the other 3 were equally bad?... I also suspect the still OEM bushing on the T/C rod which ****s on the firewall side of the T/C rod bracket - ie the one that is not included in the T/C rod bushing kits....

Any ideas?

Thanks,

-e

[2ManyZs]

You have a good start on what you need to do to as far as solving the problem.

Couple other things to check would be the wheel bearings, are they tightened correctly? You could also have a warped rotor or dragging caliper that is exaggerating a slight looseness in the wheel bearing.

The inner tie rod ends could be suspect. Or the amount of play in the rack itself. The T/C rod bushings shouldn't be doing this during cornering since the forces of cornering are being put on the new bushings (ie. the control arm is pushed back towards the mount) so if the bushings are tightened correctly this probably isn't the problem.

If you have the same tire and wheel combo front and rear you could try swapping them front to back just to see if there is any difference.

If the steering wheel doesn't shake under braking, it isn't the caliper rotor problem. During braking is when you would also see the T/C rod bushing question answered. Most likely it is either wheel bearing torque or possibly condition if they are not new, or it's in the steering rack inner tie rod ends or rack itself.

[EricB]

You are correct it does not shake under braking - while heavily scored (yes I am in need of a new set of front rotors) they are not warped (at least not yet...

I am with you in agreeing that it probably is wheel bearings and or possibly ball joints as well. I guess I could easily also replace the tie rod ends at the same time too....

I could swap wheels front to back except for a width difference - the rears are 8.5" the fronts are 7" - yeah I know I know it's only to determine wherein the problem lies but that sure would be funny looking

Thanks boss,

-e