Strange/alarming intermittent vibration through steering wheel ??

**TheMadhatter** · 29-11-2012,10:36 PM

Whilst driving home tonight I had a bit of a scare.

With no warning I felt a tugging vibration through the steering wheel which lasted about 10seconds. My first thought was puncture but when I stopped and checked everything was fine. I have had one of the front wheels off recently so I then checked to make sure the wheel was not loose but again all was fine. I then checked the steering and to see if there was any play in it and it was ok.

Satisfied that my wheels were not about to fall off I continued my journey home, on the way it did it twice again in the space of five minutes. It feels like something is waggling the steering wheel in my hands.It did it at roughly 40 and 30mph so it does no seem speed related.

I can't really do much as it is pitch black outside at the moment but does anyone have any ideas as to what is going on ??

**OddBallBoy** · 29-11-2012,11:28 PM

Sound strange. Any knocks from the suspension of recent? Knocks through the steering going lock to lock at parking speeds? Uneven tyre wear?

**Doctle Odd** · 29-11-2012,11:31 PM

Any warning lights on ?

**TheMadhatter** · 29-11-2012,11:40 PM

No warning lights on, the tyres are worn evenly about 4-5mm above the wear indicators. I have not hit any especially large pot holes recently that I noticed but I did about 2 years ago and that killed a tyre on the front nearside but I had the tracking checked afterwards at it was ok.

The only thing of note was that I took off the offside front wheel to check the disc size as I am replacing them soon but that was last week. Tonight wast the first time its done this.

**TheMadhatter** · 29-11-2012,11:41 PM

I tried the steering lock to lock turning round a the top of the road and it was smooth with no play, no vibration under braking either.

**Doctle Odd** · 29-11-2012,11:42 PM

It could be the power steering pump is there fluid in the reservoir ?

**TheMadhatter** · 30-11-2012,12:04 AM

Just went and had a look with the torch, plenty of fluid, half way between max and min.

**zollaf** · 30-11-2012,12:07 AM

that wheel that took a clout, i would be taking that off and thoroughly checking it for damage and cracking. if thats ok, then i would be putting the car in the air and checking all front axle components.

**Doctle Odd** · 30-11-2012,12:09 AM

I'd take the tension off the drive belt and check the steering pump is spinning freely. Did it feel like ABS was on? Any bilge on the tyres?

**TheMadhatter** · 30-11-2012,12:17 AM

Originally Posted by Doctle Odd

I'd take the tension off the drive belt and check the steering pump is spinning freely. Did it feel like ABS was on?

No, if you imagine someone grabbing hold of the steering wheel and tugging it quickly side to side that's what it felt like

nothing through the pedals.

I plan to get the car up on axle stands tomorrow and have a good look see. I will try releasing the tension on the belt as suggested to.

If there is nothing to see I will test drive it and see if it happens again.