Help and advice needed to solve Stage 1 steering shudders

**danielconnor** · 14th April 2010, 04:18 PM

Friends,

I call upon your wisdom to help me solve an odd and worrying problem.

I drive a 1982 Series 3 Stage 1 that has recently developed a steering shudder.

It has steadily got worse since a recent service.
The shudder only occurs at low speeds - between 20 and 60kms/hr and only when the front wheels of the vehicle bump on an uneven road surface such as pothole, edge of road ripple or sewer manhole lip.

I feel the road wheels shudder and then a vibration works its way up the steering column and to the steering wheel.

At its best I feel a light tremor, at its worse it is hard to hold onto the steering wheel and it feels as though the front end is going to shake itself to pieces. At this point I slow down below 20-30kms/h and the shudder totally stops.

When it first happened I thought the heavens would rend assunder and ground open to swallow me - I may or may not have also nearly **** myself!

This problem occurred once before and had stopped after a recent service where they replaced the steering dampener and "tightened a few things up".
It has come back after a recent bumpy trip up a forest fire trail.

I've had a look under the front end to see that the steering relay box was leaking oil (i've wiped it clean and no more oil has seeped out - maybe there's none left?

). No bars were bent and the steering dampener was still in place and fitted the right way 'round.

I've had new tyres fitted but not professionally balanced. Could that be the root of the problem?

Any thoughts or solutions?

Daniel

**BigJon** · 14th April 2010, 04:19 PM

Swivel bearings.

**Lotz-A-Landies** · 14th April 2010, 04:40 PM

AS BJ says steering shuddering is usually a symptom of swivel bearing wear or failure.

Firstly do a visual inspection of all steering components.

Then again visually observe each steering component as an assistant gently rocks the steering from side to side. Particularly observe the steering levers at the bottom of each swivel housing for movement and the housing for lateral movement across the chrome swivel ball.

Jack the front wheels up and check wheel bearings.

Now check for movement in the swivel bearings (with checked and O.K wheel bearings) grab the top and bottom of the front wheel and see if there is movement of the swivel pins/housing. if yes you may find you have worn Railco bushes or the bottom bearing. It may simply be that the bearings need to have some shims removed but worn out bearings more likely.

**Bearman** · 14th April 2010, 04:48 PM

Hi Daniel,
Before you adjust anything I would get the tyres properly balanced. This sounds like it could be your problem. If it is still there after the balance then I would start looking at other things......Cheers Brian

**Lotz-A-Landies** · 14th April 2010, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bearman

Hi Daniel,
Before you adjust anything I would get the tyres properly balanced. This sounds like it could be your problem. If it is still there after the balance then I would start looking at other things......Cheers Brian

Brian

I have had both unbalanced tyres and problems with steering swivels.

IMHO the symptoms Daniel describes are those of swivel bearings or possibly wheel bearings but not like any tyre imbalance I have ever experienced. So from my perspective I wouldn't spend the money on balancing the tyres until I had at least visually and physically inspected the steering system completely from steering wheel to road wheel.

**Bearman** · 14th April 2010, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Brian

I have had both unbalanced tyres and problems with steering swivels.

IMHO the symptoms Daniel describes are those of swivel bearings or possibly wheel bearings but not like any tyre imbalance I have ever experienced. So from my perspective I wouldn't spend the money on balancing the tyres until I had at least visually and physically inspected the steering system completely from steering wheel to road wheel.

Diana, You are probably right, most likely it is the swivel bearings worn or out of adjustment but I am looking at starting at some point. The easiest and most likely cheapest is to start at making sure the tyres are properly balanced. I have had some very unbalanced tyres over the years that have given this type of symptom. Once this is eliminated I would look at the swivel bearings for wear or out of preload adjustment....Brian

**danielconnor** · 15th April 2010, 07:40 AM

Thanks one and all.
I will now start the investigation.
Can anyone recommend somewhere to purchase either new swivel or wheel bearings? And what should I expect price wise?

Daniel

**Lotz-A-Landies** · 15th April 2010, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by Bearman

Diana, You are probably right, most likely it is the swivel bearings worn or out of adjustment but I am looking at starting at some point. The easiest and most likely cheapest is to start at making sure the tyres are properly balanced. I have had some very unbalanced tyres over the years that have given this type of symptom. Once this is eliminated I would look at the swivel bearings for wear or out of preload adjustment....Brian

Brian

Sorry I hadn't even considered that looking at something closely with my own eyes then putting my own jack under the axle and grabbing things with my hands and physically shaking it vigorously would cost money. Yes at work I do get paid a reasonable hourly rate and of course I would also have to pay the assistant who is rocking the steering for me. When you add those costs into the mix it could add up do some dollars couldn't it.

Then yes before you look at and feel the steering system you should drive to the nearest tyre service and pay to have your wheels balanced, because at $20 per tyre it will be cheaper than paying myself.

**Bearman** · 15th April 2010, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by danielconnor

Thanks one and all.
I will now start the investigation.
Can anyone recommend somewhere to purchase either new swivel or wheel bearings? And what should I expect price wise?

Daniel

Hi Daniel, Try CLR parts or BMI in Sydney. Also they are often on ebay. PM me if you cant find the numbers for CLR or BMI but if you "google" them I think you will find them....Brian

**danielconnor** · 16th April 2010, 12:40 PM

Okay.... an update:
I had all 5 tyres balanced yesterday ($8 each) and have found that the shudder has got worse!
I followed Lotz-a-Landies instruction and found some movement in the front wheels that seems to suggest worn railko or bottom bearings. Having said this, I must confess a level of ignorance. I am not sure what amount of movement would be considered excessive.
I am also not sure how to check if it is the wheel bearings.
Lotz-a-Landies, you suggested that I jack the front wheels up and "check the wheel bearings", can you tell me what I do to check them- as I said I'm a little ignorant regarding the mechanics of it.
I am considering just ordering two swivel repair/service kits from England (comes with new railko bush, bottom bearings, swivel pin and gaskets/rubbers for $125 each side) and two new front wheel bearings and just be done with it.
Before I dive in financially, should I check anything else that could be causing the shudder?
Thanks.
Daniel

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