Vibration through the Steering

[nigel@flawith.com]

Car is a is 1995 RS2 with 115K miles.

I can feel a vibration through the steering at speeds > 70mph. Initially it feels like a wobble and then the frequency goes up with speed and it feels like vibration.

Having had the wheel balance checked, I think the problem could be a wheel bearing?

Before heading off to my local dealer I'd like to hear from any one who has experienced the same or similar problem and what was the cause.

[Lloyd]

I too have a vibration of the steering wheel. It's not heavy. For me, this is apparent only at speeds 50-60 mph. Especially around 55/57mph. The vibration is noticable on accelaration or decceleration as well as cruise or throttle lift.

I've has wheels balanced/swapped, new brakes fitted, discs checked for run-out, new wishbone bushes. 4 wheel alignment. The vibe is less than it was but is still there.... I suppose many people wouldn't notice it on driving the car but I would still like to solve this minor problem.

Any ideas?

[alastairg]

Topmounts. Just replaced my 2 year old ones at MRC. One was knackered. If not get a proper 4 Wheel alignement done (?all four tyres wearing evenly ?)

[Rob20vurq]

Jack car up and position axle stands under whishbones, so the suspension is compressed like the car is on the ground. front and back off the ground of corse! then get a helper to run the car up to the wobble speed and have a good look at the spinning parts.
could be a tight cv...

Rob

[Lloyd]

Topmounts. Just replaced my 2 year old ones at MRC. One was knackered. If not get a proper 4 Wheel alignement done (?all four tyres wearing evenly ?)

I've got fancy mance mount savers for the top mounts from Corey, new from just 5 months ago. Don't think the prob is there on my car..... Mebbe it's the hubs? or wheel bearings?

[alastairg]

My wheel bearings made a droning noise when shot not a vibration. Other thing to consider is an alloy out of true.
Guess my reply was really more aimed at the original post

[AAH!]

I've had a bit of steering wheel vibration from A) wheels out of balance - had to balance them twice to get rid of the vibration. B) very slight vibration plus droning from shot wheel bearings and the after replacing bearings continued slight vibration & droning from wheel bearing centre bolt not be done up to correct torque.

[alastairg]

What was the solution ?

[nigel@flawith.com]

Thanks for all the ideas. I tried everything suggested above but didn't find the solution until I got a puncture. The cause of the puncture and vibration was a faulty tyre. Now with a new tyre fitted the vibration is gone.

The reason why the vibration didn't show up when I took the wheels to be balanced is the there needed to be a certain amount of heat in the tyre.

[alastairg]

Interesting as I have a similar problem with vibration after replacing the usual suspects. Then on getting a wheel balance done by a trusted 'one man alignment specialist' he noted a high spot on the tyre (P zero). I have switched backs with fronts with some improvement (we did not check the rears).
In addition the tyre is likely as pressures & ambient temperature seem to affect the vibration.