Rich Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 On the Escort when crusing along the steering wheel seems to wobble/kick from side to side slightly and I do mean slightly. Could this just be the tyres as I know they're mis-matched, a geo issue or steering rack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussie aligner Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 On the Escort when crusing along the steering wheel seems to wobble/kick from side to side slightly and I do mean slightly. Could this just be the tyres as I know they're mis-matched, a geo issue or steering rack? tyre pressure, rack, balance? i would say tyre pressure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 The pressures were checked on Saturday and they're fine although I'll check to make sure. I didn't think it would be a balancing issue as there is no vibration. Probably just the age of the car and where the rack has worn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussie aligner Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 The pressures were checked on Saturday and they're fine although I'll check to make sure. I didn't think it would be a balancing issue as there is no vibration. Probably just the age of the car and where the rack has worn. really i thought it was a set up!!! after all it say your the boss..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 What's the lowest speed it wobbles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 The pressures were checked on Saturday and they're fine although I'll check to make sure. I didn't think it would be a balancing issue as there is no vibration. Probably just the age of the car and where the rack has worn. really i thought it was a set up!!! after all it say your the boss..... I run the forum mate, I don't work at the garage, Tony is the real boss What's the lowest speed it wobbles? I notice it more at lower speeds rather than higher and it does it going to work, which is all 30 mph so I would say around 25mph. I'll pay more attention when going home as to what speed it starts at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Below 30mph is not wheel balance. Normally this is due to a distorted tyre, a damaged wheel or your wheel is about to fall off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Below 30mph is not wheel balance. Normally this is due to a distorted tyre, a damaged wheel or your wheel is about to fall off That's reassuring...I'll be checking the nuts later then!! The car is rarely used so it probably has part worns on all 4 corners. I know my dad replaced a rear tyre with one before I took the car on Saturday. How long does it take for a tyre to distort, it was last used 2 weeks ago and before that before Xmas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyelcomb Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Have you tried to feel for any worn joints or play in the rack when stationary? Sounds more like that sort of thing to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 To flat-spot a tyre takes years, so that's unlikely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Have you tried to feel for any worn joints or play in the rack when stationary? Sounds more like that sort of thing to me. Do you mean check through the steering wheel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyelcomb Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Have you tried to feel for any worn joints or play in the rack when stationary? Sounds more like that sort of thing to me. Do you mean check through the steering wheel? Yep - is there any steering wheel free play at all when switched off (but steering lock off too)? Not unusual for Escorts to get play in the pinion gear of the rack. Of course it might be a track rod end that has a little play, but that's harder to feel when driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 I'll check later when I leave work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Checked the wheels nuts and they're fine. The front tyres are different makes with different tread depths. It does it from about 20mph but the faster you go the less noticeable it is. I checked for play in the steering wheel but then I realised I wasn't sure if there is or not. If I move the wheel left or right it feels quite firm and not slack if that's what checking for play is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussie aligner Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Below 30mph is not wheel balance. Normally this is due to a distorted tyre, a damaged wheel or your wheel is about to fall off cant be seppo, it doesnt shake at high speeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Below 30mph is not wheel balance. Normally this is due to a distorted tyre, a damaged wheel or your wheel is about to fall off cant be seppo, it doesnt shake at high speeds Over 30mph seppo won't vibrate...... ER at low speed, say 5mph does the steering slowly roll side-to-side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 What is seppo? I'll check the speed thing later, if it does what does it mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 What is seppo? I'll check the speed thing later, if it does what does it mean? "Separation".... UK language is distortion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Tony, the steering doesn't roll side-to-side at low speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 In that case i would need to see the car and look outside of the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 Maybe it's the lower arm bushes then, they're known to be like the mondeo ones but not as bad. Having said that I should get a floaty feeling at high speed if it were the bushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 Sort of thing that needs to be checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 I noticed something yesterday on the motorway...doing 55-60mph I get the same feeling but also a very slight vibration so maybe it is a wheel/tyre/balancing problem? It doesn't seem to do it above this speed but I was going through the road works for most of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 That does suggest balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 It's a weird one, I will take it out again and try to do a steady 70mph to see if it does it. I've never experienced the wobbling at low speeds before though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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