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Steering Wheel Shakes at Higher Speeds


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Jwiz88
Novice

Feb 6, 2010, 4:52 PM

Post #1 of 5 (1753 views)
Steering Wheel Shakes at Higher Speeds Sign In

My 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager has a developing problem in the Wheel/Axle/Tire area. When I accelerate over 20mph the steering wheel starts to jerk violently (to the left), causing the entire vehicle to shake. It seems like the shaking originates from the left front tire region. Anyways, the faster I go, the more it shakes till I hit about 40mph and it feels like it's gonna break. This problem is getting worse and sometimes I'll hit a bump or turn and the shaking will mellow out, but eventually it will get back into shaking mode. I've done a lot of research and I'm thinking it might be the ball joint? I just want to find out what I gotta do to fix this. Please any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 6, 2010, 5:23 PM

Post #2 of 5 (1749 views)
Re: Steering Wheel Shakes at Higher Speeds Sign In

That is a bad inner C/V joint. The real question is, which side. It's probably on the left but no guarantee on that. You just need to replace the whole C/V axle with another one.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



TheChevynator
New User

Feb 8, 2010, 5:56 PM

Post #3 of 5 (1717 views)
Re: Steering Wheel Shakes at Higher Speeds Sign In

You may have a wheel that's not balanced or bent.To check that just switch the front right wheel with the left.drive the car and see if the problem switches sides.If not the problem may lie in the suspension.To check if it's the ball joint when you have each front wheel jacked off the ground grab the outer top and bottom of the wheel and try to wiggle it to and fro pulling the top toward you while pushing the bottom away and visversa.Do it rapidly.If it wiggles and you hear a metallic knocking sound then the ball joint is bad.If it's tight then it maybe the axle is the problem.look at the axle boot.If it's ripped then you probably need an axle.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 8, 2010, 7:32 PM

Post #4 of 5 (1714 views)
Re: Steering Wheel Shakes at Higher Speeds Sign In


Quote
When I accelerate over 20mph the steering wheel starts to jerk violently (to the left),


That's a typical inner C/V joint. Caravans are notorious for it. The joint binds under acceleration.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



valpoautodummy
New User

Feb 10, 2010, 9:44 PM

Post #5 of 5 (1697 views)
Re: Steering Wheel Shakes at Higher Speeds Sign In

having driven many 12 year old cars, i can tell you that you need to replace your cv joint. while you're under there, replace the ball joints, control arms and tie rods too. and u joint if rear wheel drive. all of those things really take a beating and are cheap and easy to replace. then get a wheel allignment and a set of good tires. smooooooth!






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