Re: [tech help required] steering shaking

["Allyn" <amalventano1@home.com>]

Pat,
    Ironically, i dont think it can be any of the possibilities you listed:
- A-arm bushings: that would cause your car to wander/clunk over bumps, not
cause a shutter.
- rack and pinion: same thing, your shutter can only come from something in
motion, i.e. wheels.
    Sounds like you are down to the following:
- Bent hub: The most likely problem, due to the problem existing with
several sets of hubcentric wheels/correct offsets being on the car. The
reason it changes speeds with different wheel sets is the same reason that
different wheel sizes with bad balance vibrate at different speeds. Larger
diameter/heavier wheels cause a shutter at lower speeds. About 70-80 with
stock 14's, down to 60 with 15/16's. With a bent hub, the wheel doesnt spin
true. A very slight bend can cause the equivalent of 3-5 oz unbalance. This
unbalance would act as if it was on the outer lip of the wheel, causing your
steering wheel shutter.
- Bad bearing: can do the equivalent of a bent hub. Less likely if you have
no bearing noise.
- Bad outer cv: a more remote possibility, especially if it doesnt do it at
low speeds. Your mileage is quite high for original cv's, though.
- Loose rotor retaining bolt: the phillips head thing between 2 lug holes on
the rotor. it needs to be flush with the rotor. if its not, it can cause
your problem. This is unlikely since the stock vw wheels have holes that
clear where the bolt would be in the way, but you had the problem with the
14's on the car.

Recommendation:
- Bite the bullet. Get cv's, bearings, hubs from potterman (not too
expensive, really, each shaft ~$90, each bearing $18, each hub ~$20 (yes,
they are that cheap)). $250 and you've pretty much made your front end new
as far as rotating parts goes.

Hope this helps,
Allyn

Allyn Malventano, ETC(SS), USN
87 Rieger GTO Scirocco 16v (daily driver, 170k, rocco #6)
87 Jetta 8v Wolfsburg 2dr (daily driver, 260k, 0 rattles, original clutch,
driveshafts, wheels :)


----- Original Message -----
From: "ATS - Patrick Bureau" <pbureau@attbi.com>
To: "_Scirocco Mailing List" <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2001 11:28 PM
Subject: [tech help required] steering shaking


> Alright, I have had this problem for a while and I will bore you with
> details in hopes someone out there has a clue ..
>
> for about 4 months between the speed of 60-70MPH I get a left-right
movement
> on my steering wheel, if I barely hold the steering, the car continues to
> drive straight.
>
> At first I though it was a bad alignment and got that redone, I also got
the
> original 13" tarantula's checked for balancement and found the wheels were
> warped, and performed a change of wheels/tires during my trip through OH
> (thank you again Ben Harper) , Now the shaking still existed but as less,
> once I got to Texas, I exchanged the 14" teardrops/tires for 15x7 ATS Cups
> with 205/50 tires on it, the "left-right shaking" has now become more
> pronounced between 60+ MPH speed, below that the "shaking" is lesser
> noticeable.
>
> Spring and shocks where replaced 4 months ago, with new sets, alignment
was
> done 2 months ago.
> this is a 149500 Miles 85 8v Scirocco. and the lack of any knowledgeable
VW
> water-cooled mechanic is becoming a concern.
>
> I also would like to add that sometimes when I jump into the Rocco, and
just
> ride her out while she is still "cold" the steering is a little sometimes
> (intermittently) stiff on the left turning side, the car has never pulled
in
> any direction while driving it.
>
> if anyone would suggest things to check, I am afraid that it could be a
> number of items that would require to be changed, but I think my
conclusion
> would be A-Arm bushings, direction tables, and lastly my rack and pinion
> (power steering) that could be in need of replacement.
>
> Any though would be appreciated.
> as well as any known Dallas area Mechanic to perform a proper diagnostic
on
> the subject.
>
> ATS - Patrick Bureau
> 85 8v prowler orange Rocco
> ===============================
> Domain Back up ! and Functional!!!
> http://longcoeur.com/scirocco
> ===============================
>
>
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