by "Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork)
Published 03/30/2017 at 17:42
by "Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork)
Published 03/30/2017 at 17:42
Tags: CarTalk
STARS: 0
I have a braking issue from 80 mph where the steering wheel wobbles, but it seems completely fine braking from 60 mph. I want to believe all I need to do is have my summer wheels/tires rebalanced (It’s been at least a winter, maybe two). There is a slight wheel wobble around highway speeds (~80) that’s close enough to me thinking it’s just giving me a hard time over bumps and the braking is exaggerating it. I’ve been installing my summer wheels myself without hub-centric rings by rotating the tire and tightening the top bolt in a star pattern (read online somewhere). I’ve had to change my front brake disks twice in 80k miles due to a disk imprint causing steering wheel wobble under braking (seems wrong, right?). Any ideas?
Also I don’t know if we have a help tag, but I’d like to use #CarTalk as that’s who I would imagine talking to otherwise.
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
03/30/2017 at 17:50, STARS: 3
Believe it or not, I wrote for Car Talk, and Ray is a friend.
So ImmoralMinority said warped brake rotor, and that’s a good suggestion. Also, flat-spotted tires or oddly worn ones, and a bad alignment comes to mind as well. And, while not likely, there could be some tie rods or other front suspension components that have come loose. Or it could be really simple - this happened to me once on an old Ford - the culprit? Mud packed into the inner edge of the front wheel.
"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork)
03/30/2017 at 17:51, STARS: 0
Should I take it to a shop and see if they can diagnose it?
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
03/30/2017 at 17:55, STARS: 1
I’m currently experiencing a similar issue on my Subaru and I believe it is a control arm bushing. I already replaced the brakes and wheel bearing but still get a slight wobble. Start with the cheapest solution and work from there, let us know what you find out.
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
03/30/2017 at 17:59, STARS: 1
When I last owned a car (back in 2000) my skills were limited to inspecting underneath, changing a flat, oil changes, and checking the oil in the rear differential (my last 3 cars, CRX Si, Camry wagon 5M, and SHO, didn’t have a rear diff). So yeah, hit Mechanix Files (Car Talk’s mechanic recommendation website) and take it in. My guess is it’s something cheap, but I haven’t picked up a wrench since the 90s. And, of course, your life is worth the few hundred bucks it’ll take to fix. It always is ....
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/30/2017 at 18:16, STARS: 1
Maybe try getting the hub centric rings. I know on my mazda that with my cheap ass aftermarket wheels I absolutely have to use the plastic rings otherwise there is violent steering wheel shake.
"Rico" (ricorich)
03/30/2017 at 18:22, STARS: 1
Adding onto what others have said- Maybe a bent wheel?
"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork)
03/30/2017 at 18:24, STARS: 0
I wouldn’t think so. My biggest head scratch is that it exists braking from over ~70, but not at all under ~60.
"Master Cylinder" (mastercylinder28)
03/30/2017 at 19:05, STARS: 1
I once had a similar issue with an old MN-12 T-bird. Brake at 80+ and it was like the car was trying to shake itself to death. Below that, basically normal.
It ended up being a ply separation in one of the front tires. It looked fine externally but inside the rubber the tire was coming apart. New tires solved the problem completely.
"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork)
03/30/2017 at 19:49, STARS: 0
Good thing I got the insurance!
"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
03/30/2017 at 20:31, STARS: 0
If you’re feeling it under breaking and also from bumps (shifting the weight forward, pressing the front suspension) could it be from a loose tie rod or mis-alignment?
"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
03/31/2017 at 12:09, STARS: 1
Discount tire will check the balance for free usually. If you’re still in Chicago with our fine roads a a bent wheel is always a possibility too and they can probably spot that for you as well.
Failing that go to a good alignment shop. They’ll check the bushings and tie rods make sure nothing is worn out and check the alignment itself.