steering rack bush causing wheel wobble?

[Karlos28]

Hi all

I have the usual wheel wobble at 65-85mph.. I have poly bushed the tension rods, changed the track rod ends, and have about 4 month old coilovers on. I had my summer wheels balanced, made no difference. Now I have my standard wheels on (were fine last year) and its the same still. The only thing that I can think of now is the steering rack bushes. I had a good look at them the other day and they look fine. The part of the bush that I could see did feel quite soft and squishy. .. maybe oil contamination?

Anyone heard of the rack causing wobble at just those speeds?

Nb. Brakes feel nice and free too...

[snops]

I have a similar wobble. Im thinking brakes are causing my issues but Im changing a few things to make sure, the steering rack bushes are worth a shot.
What brakes you got?

[Karlos28]

Totally standard and recently rebuilt (2 or so years)... miggt give the rack buahes a go.. it can only help woth the steering anyway!

[shogun]

Steering column bushing, round with 4 holes (replace with aluminum).

Wheel bearings (tighten or replace).

Steering rod ends (replace).

Tension rod bushes worn (replace).

[Karlos28]

Bottom 2 are done, there isnt any excessive play in the wheel when I waggle it when stationary. Wheel bearings isnt a bad shout to be fair...

[Karlos28]

It seems to lessen/dissappear when im cornering... ie. Motorway corners.. hmmmm

[Jonny Wilkinson]

I had a really nasty wobble would sometimes develop around 60-80 mph and that was cured with steering rack bushes.

It IS a known problem on S13s. Not sure about the 14 but I imagine they are the same.

[Karlos28]

Right cheers mate im just going to order some to rule it out... they arent dear anyway!

[ANDY black s13]

After rack bushes it could be Well used and gone soft lower front arm inner bushes can cause a wobble on some cars,
not had it on a 200 but had it on sierras,capris,escorts the MK1/2's (the proper rwd versions) yes I was a Ford man for many years
worth getting a pry bar in there and see how much it moves when your under there doing the rack bushes

[bahis]

It seems to lessen/dissappear when im cornering... ie. Motorway corners.. hmmmm

I would say it's a wheel bearing then... That might also be the cause of the other problem you posted a thread about...

[bahis]

blah

[Karlos28]

Well the other grumble definitely sounds like rear, and only does it when pulling hard. I have had it jacked and felt for play in the wheel, felt fine. But if its an easy enough job il re torque then to check the preload... ans thats also a good shout andy! Iv prybar'd the ball joint and it feels fine. Il have a play with the other end bushes if I get chance tomorrow

[Karlos28]

Well replaced the rack bushes just now. Try them out tomorrow on the motorway. It does feel a little more responsive. The old bushes looked fine but did feel quite squishy.. oil contamination? See what happens tomorrow. If not il get the wheels ballance checked tomorrow too.

[jackm]

have you checked the inner tie rod ends (bits in the black gaitor on the steering rack) for play at all? just thought id add another possibility

[Karlos28]

Good shout I did have a good play with it all and it felt ok. . No play anywhere when waggle the wheels... lower arm bush next.

[Karlos28]

To say how good the condition of the old bushes was im amazed at how.much better it feels now! Feel.so.much better to drive! It has massively reduced the wheel wobble. .. but it is still there. Also its only the steering wheel that is affected by it... if i let go.of the wheel you wouldnt know anything was wrong. You cant feel anything through the car. That was both before and after rack bushes..

[Jonny Wilkinson]

Sounds like you have a problem that was not being masked by the rack bushes because they were worn. Now you've replaced them, they are masking it somewhat but not completely.

[Karlos28]

Yehh.. hmm il go get the ballance done. Bet they will try and sell me some tyres though!

[Karlos28]

Well dragging this up again.. cos I still havent sorted it. However I recently found that my left hand front coilover collars had loosened and had given me a nice 4inches of droop! So sorted that and now it seems the wobble is worse.. and it now judders sometimes when braking and it is greatly intensified if it is wobbling and then I brake.. so does this leave me with warped discs or sticky pads? The front were refurbished aboit 2 years ago when I bought the car. With new discs and pads.

Time to get the discs checked?

[kris_200sx]

Let me know how you get on. I have this issue now under brakes it judders really hard but i have recently replaced brakes and still have problem????? not sure what to do now. steering column bush hasnt been changed yet tho?