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#1
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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?
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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) |
#2
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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. |
#3
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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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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 |
#4
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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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Andrew '04 Jetta TDI Wagon '82 300TD ~ Winnie ~ Sold '77 300D ~ Sold
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#5
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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 |
#6
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Can that happen without a vibration issue? |
#7
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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) |
#8
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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 |
#9
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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.
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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) |
#10
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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. |
#11
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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. |
#12
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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 !!
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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. |
#13
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Quote:
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?
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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) |
#14
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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. |
#15
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Due to the bad LCA and the tread design of the sport A2 tires, this is what Im dealing with:
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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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