Forum Discussion

Budb66's avatar
Budb66
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013

steering wheel vibrations

Can pavement cause steering wheel to vibrate as would if wheels were not balanced? Vibration is intetmittent.
  • Well, certainly there are different pavement surfaces that will cause a different feeling in the steering....but to make it vibrate? I don't know, but if it were mine, I would take it to a specialty shop and have it inspected.

    Ron
  • Budb66,
    First off, not that it makes a whole lot of difference here but, the kind of rig, make, model, year, chassis, engine etc. could be helpful. You see, someone reading this may have the same rig as yours and may have experienced similar circumstances. And, they may have an answer that "may" only pertain to your make/model/year etc.

    So, has it been doing it long? Have you owned it when it didn't do it? What I'm getting at here is, did it just start this issue? Has anything changed lately like, new tires, hitting a large pot hole, front wheels and tires off for a brake inspections etc.?

    There's lots of causes for steering wheel vibration. A tire might have lost one of its balancing weights. A section of tread may have been thrown. So, I'd maybe start there. I'd check for possible missing tire weights ( a shadow or imprint of where one used to be should or could be presented). On the rare side, a front end component may have developed some play, like a tie rod end but, not likely. Let us know if you find anything out so that others may learn, if they develop the same symptoms.
    Scott
  • I can feel very rough roads in steering wheel. I wouldn't describe as vibrating. My MH is new and everything is tight. Not any bounce over rough roads.
  • Yes, you can and should be able to "feel" the road through the steering wheel. How much is a different matter. Too much air in your tires will cause more road feel. Have you added air recently? Lots of variables.....Dennis
  • FIRE UP wrote:
    Budb66,
    First off, not that it makes a whole lot of difference here but, the kind of rig, make, model, year, chassis, engine etc. could be helpful. You see, someone reading this may have the same rig as yours and may have experienced similar circumstances. And, they may have an answer that "may" only pertain to your make/model/year etc.

    So, has it been doing it long? Have you owned it when it didn't do it? What I'm getting at here is, did it just start this issue? Has anything changed lately like, new tires, hitting a large pot hole, front wheels and tires off for a brake inspections etc.?

    There's lots of causes for steering wheel vibration. A tire might have lost one of its balancing weights. A section of tread may have been thrown. So, I'd maybe start there. I'd check for possible missing tire weights ( a shadow or imprint of where one used to be should or could be presented). On the rare side, a front end component may have developed some play, like a tie rod end but, not likely. Let us know if you find anything out so that others may learn, if they develop the same symptoms.
    Scott


    +1
    need more details could be he has those damn bags in the tire to balance it. I got a low speed vibration when I had those in my motor home.
  • Vibration can be out of balance, out of round (run-out), suspension issues or, yes, road. OR, some combination of the above.
  • If the vibration is intermittent, I would suspect shocks or possibly the rubber shock mount. If the axle is not well damped, a bump can send it into oscillation that will slowly fade away after each bump. You don't feel it all the time, because the wheel is probably balanced, but a bump can send it into oscillation.
  • As a young man who had a business back in the 60s-70s that specialized in front end, steering geometry, suspension and vibration I can safely say the available knowledge to address these issues then and now is difficult to find. And for that because you're asking this question on a internet forum without giving any needed info and given how things have changed I would suggest check checking first the steering dampener, and if that isn't it do your best to find some in the industry that can solve it...I solved most of the vibration issues simply by driving the vehicle...if you find someone that wants to take a shot at it and they show no interest in driving it first then you should treat that as a red flag and move on.