vibrating steering wheel

[vicki240sx]

The steering wheel vibrates really hard when I accelerate. When I let off on the gas it stops. What might it be?

[mrdirty]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (vicki240sx @ May 26 2002,12:42)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The steering wheel vibrates really hard when I accelerate. When I let off on the gas it stops. What might it be?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
this topic has been addressed about a dozen times in the last month...

It's probably your t/c bushings....get new ones.

[DSC]

I'll 2nd what mr dirty said but add to it so you know whether its actually your t/c rod bushings or if its something else.

If your t/c rod bushings are cracked & oozing a silicone goo, then its your t/c rod bushings. If they look good then its something else...maybe alignment.

Hit any curbs lately? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

If you aren't sure what t/c rods are, post back but I'm assumeing you know so I won't waste my oh so precious time typeing it out. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[mrdirty]

BTW: It cost me ~$55 and a bit of work to change my t/c bushings and the improvement in steering alone was worth the investment.
It also took care of 90% of the shudder (the rest is probably balancing and or rotors).

DSC: How they feel?

[DSC]

mrdirty, glad to hear your happy with them.
I haven't put mine in yet, haven't had any time to work on it.
I probably won't put them in for another couple weeks.
I'll be sure to post back once I put them in...

[vicki240sx]

what are t/c rod bushings?

sorry, I'm a newbie. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':blush:'>

[mrdirty]

That's fine, we all have to learn sometime <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Tension control rods attach your front lower control arm to the frame to take the fore aft flex out of 'em (well part of it)

Anywho, they're the rods coming off the front of the lower control arm at like a 45 deg angle, the bushing is under the car and is at the inside end of each.

[DSC]

Theres one on each side look kinda like this ----O the "----" being a metal rod and the "O" being a big ass bushing pressed into a metal 'O' with a screw going through it.
It should be less than 6" from your tire to give you a starting point.
Check to see if your bushing appear to be damaged in any way. &nbsp;

The fix cost will range from ~$50 to ~$350 depending on what you do.

Post back when you find out...

[S13Grl]

Maybe you should check your motor mounts instead. It just vibrates really really hard when you're stomping on the gas pedal? Doesn't matter how the surface is and if your'e going straight?

[vicki240sx]

No it doesn't matter how the surface is or if I'm going straight. I noticed it only at high way speeds and when I stomp on the gas pedal. When I ease off on it.. the vibrating ceases. I will check the t/c bushings and motor mounts when I get home. Thanks

[happe626]

probably one of your engine mounts is bad.. usually should be the case if your steering wheel is shaking, and stops when you gas.. umm does your steering wheel shakes wit your dash too??... if so..i ts the mounts..

[nrcooled]

What's funny is no one even gave Viki the easiest possible fix. &nbsp;Check the tire pressure for one then if that's not the problem check to see if your C/V boot is good condition, &nbsp;that is the rubber covering your steering rods but that doesn't sound like your issue.

I have to agree w/ s13 girl and have you check your motor mounts. &nbsp;They are on either side of the engine bay check to see if they are plyable or dry, cracked or discolored.

[camppain]

tbest way to check your motor monts is brake torque your car if you see your engine moving really badly then its youyr motor mounts.

and if it was a motor mount you would hear a clunking noise. like a loud thump

check tire pressure, but a torn cv boot wont cause the steering wheel to shake like that you already said that.so blah

are you sure its not wheel hop? check your subframe bushings.

and i thought tc rods make most noises on turns youll hear a clunking noise. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'>

you sure your tires arent out of balance? you mentioned highway speeds?

[RS13]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (vicki240sx @ May 28 2002,7:21)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">what are t/c rod bushings?

sorry, I'm a newbie. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':blush:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
t/c bushing ? take a look at my homepage, i have some pics. of them...

http://singapore200SX.motorpage.com