steering wheel shakes tremendously

russ_ghia68 · Post by **russ_ghia68** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 8:40 pm

this problem seems to occur in the morning and when you are driving straight ahead. u hit a small bump and all of the sudden all hell breaks loose on the steering wheel, any ideas on how to fix this problem?

dpeters60ghia · Post by **dpeters60ghia** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 9:52 pm

Start by looking at EVERYTHING in the front end.

Wheel bearings? (my brother's '56 Beetle had loose wheel bearings causing this type of condition)
Ball joints/ King-link Pins
Tie-Rods/ends
Front Beam bolted securely to Chassis?
Tire Balance

It doesn't sound safe...get it checked out before something BAD happens.

- Doug

Max Welton · Post by **Max Welton** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 6:53 am

Stearing Damper?

Air-Cooled Head · Post by **Air-Cooled Head** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 3:46 pm

Doug said it; Check everything!
I've seen a broken shock tower cause this. (Top rusted out so top of shock was bolted to nothing.)

Canman · Post by **Canman** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 5:57 pm

I'm with Max, steering damper.

Easy to fix, not expensive.

russ_ghia68 · Post by **russ_ghia68** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 10:37 pm

alright guys thanxs, does anyone know what would cause this? old age?
its odd that it only does this when its not fully warmed up. pretty odd

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 09, 2003 7:28 am

Steering damper. Pull it off and push the piston in and out. It should go smooth in both directions, no skips or binds. If it has any binds or skips it's bad. Loose wheel bearings will further aggravate the symptoms. But, check everything.......

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Sun Nov 09, 2003 11:06 am

I agree with the steering dampner diagnosis, but bad shocks will contribute

Post by **Marc** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 5:37 am

A new steering damper may stop the symptom but that doesn't mean the problem is cured. Remember that early VWs didn't even have dampers - if everything is in tip-top shape they aren't needed. Check that the four bolts which hold the top of the steering box on are all still snug.

johanlu · Post by **johanlu** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 11:29 am

I have had this problem on an old VW with NO stock steerdamper. Seems to be tires that are biggest part of the problem, even though as previous writers say, it may not have happened if all other things are in perfect shape and You have a newer car with steerdamper.

Problem can be caused by old (hard rubber / bad cord) and unbalanced tires. When using good tires this is less likely to happen!

Note that steering wheel does NOT vibrate or shake other than when you hit a bump (railroad crossing for example) so you won't think it can be the tires... But it can!