Wheel Wobble

[RJS]

I have done a search of the site, and my problem is not that I can't find an answer; the problem is that I have found too many answers.

I would like to suggest that we make a list of solutions to this problem and make it a "sticky" topic that is always on the top of the list.

Like many, the issue on my car is worst between 45-55 mph. Mine is a front end wobble, and shakes at the steering wheel. Not caused by braking.

My car is an 80 TR8 DHC. 15" aftermarket rims.

Here are the possible causes I have found after going over posts:
<ul><li>Wheel Balancing
</li><li>Wheels bearings
</li><li>Alignment
</li><li>Tire Pressure
</li><li>Ball joints
</li><li>Tie rods
</li><li>Front bushings
</li><li>Steering rack
</li><li>Steering shaft u-joints
</li><li>Steering shaft firewall bushing
</li><li>Tire issues (cupping)
</li><li>Rim bent / warped
</li></ul>

Did I miss anything?

I have already rotated tires, checked tire pressure and packed the bearings.

What am I looking for? - I want to diagnose and fix the issue for as little money as possible (yes I am cheap - I drive a Triumph, not a Jag).

Which of these are most likely? Which can I diagnose myself without paying someone else (and how)? Which can I fix myself?

Rob

[Hasbeen]

Yes you did miss something, probably the most important thing. That is after market wheels that don't centre accurately, & tightly on the hub. This is one of the main reason for our "normal" wheel wobble experienced from 95Km/H to 105Km/H.

Your lower speed wobble is probably due to excessive to in, [or possibly out].

Yes tyres & wheels can be a contributing factor in the higher speed wobble, as they cause unbalance in the total wheel assembly, particularly if everything is right.

The other factors you mention do not cause wheel wobble. What they do is allow any mild wobble freedom to move a greater distance unrestrained, giving a higher magnitude when it gets to the steering wheel. A nice tight steering & front suspension damp any wobble, partly or even completely, caused by imbalance in the rotating mass, as would fitting a steering damper.

Meanwhile, a separate section permanently displaying regularly experienced problems, & their fix, would be a good idea. So would a list, often suggested by Mildred, on interchangeable parts, from other, more common makes, that can improve our cars.

Hasbeen

[jeffremj]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Hasbeen</i>

Yes you did miss something, probably the most important thing. That is after market wheels that don't centre accurately, & tightly on the hub. This is one of the main reason for our "normal" wheel wobble experienced from 95Km/H to 105Km/H.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I agree. My Compomotives are not hub centric in that the centre hole is slightly bigger than the hub and, when the wheel nuts are tightened, the wheel is pulled to one side. In my situation, the pull is by around 20 thou of an inch. To cure this I split apart a feeler gauge set and used the appropriate feeler to fill out the gap betwixt hub and wheel hole. Upshot is - no more wobble.

[John Clancy]

Another suggestion for what causes wheel wobble is the anti-roll bar can sometimes go back on slightly out of kilter (note: that is not a technical term!) so slackening it off and tightening it back up can apparently effect the necessary cure. This explains why some people have reported the installation of the anti-dive spacers successfully eliminating the wobble.

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[whitenviro]

I do like the idea of a forum heading or section for the common problems we all run into; I don't know how many times I've had to use the search function for things that I know have been discussed ad nauseum. Can admins set up a new section? On other forums I have seen a section titled "Troubleshooting". That might be a good place for all of the sticky threads.


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1980 Pageant Blue DHC with removable hardtop.