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  #1  
Old 11-19-2010, 05:34 PM
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What's the matter with my car steering

Hi,

My 82 has been tracking more and more to the left. Holding tue wheel straight on flat terrain, it goes straight. However, let go, and the wheel will start to go left.

Recently on left banked roads when going slow, letting go of the wheel, it will keep turning left with the wheel turning more and more. Even when the road goes back flat, it keeps doing this until I roll a way or shift weight via an opposite angle road.

I'm also seemingly getting an intermittent wobble that I hear:feel slightly through my seat but not in the wheel.

Thoughts?

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #2  
Old 11-19-2010, 06:43 PM
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it sure sounds like a ball joint.... but which one?


could be a tie-rod too.


A simple inspection would probably give you enough clues. Raise the front and wiggle each wheel while holding a tie rod.
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  #3  
Old 11-19-2010, 07:12 PM
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By now you have probably destroyed the edge of a tire. when that starts to happen it makes it worse.
If an alignment is done they will probably give you a list of what needs doing.
Pulling to the left often suggests that the right side has the problem. Ball joint, rod arm mount UCA or LCA mounts.
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I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #4  
Old 11-19-2010, 07:28 PM
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If you haven't already look at your tires STAT! I had pull to the right and the left front tire was bulged out in one spot, coved in next to the bump, and I could see the treat starting to split.
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  #5  
Old 11-19-2010, 07:30 PM
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Yes, it could be a bad tire(s).
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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  #6  
Old 11-19-2010, 07:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
Yes, it could be a bad tire(s).

Can that happen without a vibration issue?
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  #7  
Old 11-19-2010, 07:42 PM
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I know my tires are well worn on the outer edges due to bad LCA bushing in the past. Fixed that and the one bad ball joint.

I do have a steering groan and a clicking behind the glovebox/footwell... Does this mean guide rod mount?
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #8  
Old 11-19-2010, 07:45 PM
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Could be guide rod mount or idler bush.
__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #9  
Old 11-19-2010, 07:47 PM
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Btw, because of the wear, I check the tires thoroughly for issues before use - just trying to use thoroughly before chucking as the rest of the tread is fine.

These issues were not noticanly present over 150mi last night. Just started noticing this bad tonight. Car was aligned recently.
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #10  
Old 11-19-2010, 07:50 PM
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Then, if it is not severe or dangerous, I would wait for the tires to settle in a little more.

Then start checking parts / failures/ wear.
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  #11  
Old 11-19-2010, 08:11 PM
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Sudden onset or change of a signifigant nature in the last 150 miles deserves a real suspension and tire examination both front and back. Sooner than later with car up in the air.

Something serious could be giving out fast. Progressive wear is slow usually or a lot slower than you are describing.
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  #12  
Old 11-19-2010, 08:34 PM
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swap the left & right front tires & see if it pulls the other way.
Have a good look at the front end while you are doing it.

Much of erratic steering is caused by a big loose nut behind the steering wheel !!
__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Last edited by layback40; 11-19-2010 at 08:57 PM.
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  #13  
Old 11-20-2010, 12:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jt20 View Post
Then, if it is not severe or dangerous, I would wait for the tires to settle in a little more.

Then start checking parts / failures/ wear.
The tires are dunlop sport A2 - they tend to wear on the outer edge first, and the bad LCA just made them worse. Sooner or later they will be bald on the outer edge with tread the rest of the way. Since they have fine traction, I figure Ill not let the tread that is there go to waste...

I will say that all of it seems to go away at higher speeds. It is mainly a slower speed phenomenon.

That said. going off the interstate at speed, wheel left like on the banked road earlier, the car felt like it would shift. Almost like a slight collapse to the left as weight shifted.

Would a bad wheel bearing cause shake/lumpy roll/change in wheel geometry/shift yet not vibrate through the steering wheel?
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #14  
Old 11-20-2010, 03:49 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
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No but an upper sway arm area issue very well could if weak or fractured. .Seriously it is not good if a major shift in the steering geometry is taking place. You are describing a sideways lurch on corners.

A front wheel bearing would have to be so bad you would hear it or the wheel almost falling off to be that pronounced. Again get this car up on a hoist and check all the suspension thorougly. The worst thing you can experience is loss of directional control with a failed suspension component.

Certainly it may be a lesser issue. If the fault developed only in the last 150 miles it has to be found. Normal wear and tear is slower and creeps up on you. Anything suddenly errupting is different. These cars are very old so anything is possible. When they give clear signals you have to look.
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  #15  
Old 11-20-2010, 10:40 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,265
Due to the bad LCA and the tread design of the sport A2 tires, this is what Im dealing with:






__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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