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mrharmon Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2020 Posts: 12 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 7:33 pm Post subject: Steering wobble |
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On the way home from a recent 800 mile trip in my 1997 EVC I noticed some wobble in the steering, more pronounced at low speeds combined with a tendency to pull to the right and the steering wheel isn't centered.
I can't think of any potholes, bumps etc that triggered the change. It just sort of became very noticeable on the 400 mile drive home (interstate driving).
I've checked the front two tires, they are in good condition and are still balanced and inflated properly. (Nokian Entyres)
I noticed a little bit of slop in the tie rods so I replaced both inner and outer tie rods (and boots). I know that I'm now in need of an alignment for certain. However the wobble in the steering wheel at low speeds is making me hesitant to get the alignment just yet. My sense is there is something else going on that I need to address first.
I did notice fluid in the driver side inner tie rod boot - presumably power steering fluid although it was thick and mixed along with the grease from the inner tie rod. I haven't noticed enough of a drop on the PS fluid reservoir to call it a big leak - but a leak nonetheless - not good.
I don't see any significant play in the ball joints (boots are intact as well). There are no noises that might offer other clues.
I'm thinking perhaps it could be the steering rack - considering the leaking fluid I found in the driver side inner tie rod boot?
Is there something else I should check first?
Thanks for any insights you can share! _________________ '97 Eurovan Camper (VR6)
Portland, OR |
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streamr Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2007 Posts: 555 Location: Southwest FL
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 5:28 am Post subject: Re: Steering wobble |
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I think you should have the tires checked out. I had the same problem a few months ago, there was separation in one of the tires and it caused the shimmy at low speeds. New tires fixed the problem. _________________ '03 MV |
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paddygarcia Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2020 Posts: 89 Location: VA
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Steering wobble |
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^^^ this, especially with the Entyre. Recently replaced mine with similar symptoms. |
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OB Bus Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003 Posts: 2537 Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:09 am Post subject: Re: Steering wobble |
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^^ same here. Potential tread separation. Ours "looked fine" until Discount Tire showed us where the tread was bubbling. _________________ Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper. |
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MrPulldown Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2020 Posts: 649 Location: Truckee
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wobble |
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Entyre or Entyre 2.0 _________________ 2002 EVC |
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paddygarcia Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2020 Posts: 89 Location: VA
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Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 11:56 am Post subject: Re: Steering wobble |
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Mine were 2.0. |
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