Steering wheel judder
 

Hi, can anybody tell me why my steering wheel has started juddering when I turn it left or right, fluid is normal level
Thanks

*pulls on psychic's costume and diagnoses multi-factorial fault from a distance with zero clues*

-steering and suspension bushes worn
- power steering pump drive belt slipping
- incorrect wheel alignment
- tyre(s) damaged
- steering shaft u/j failing
- leaks/damage to power steering ram/rack
- Parkinson's disease

Gave it a shot. There's my list.

Hi mine did same thing few years ago did it after mot test i drained power steering best i coud i had power steering pump and steering rack changed both second hand units still same problem then about 2 weeks later it cured itself my thoughts were it was air in the system my thoughts only

What Ash said! ^^^^^ Also could be old/dirty fluid, knackered PAS pump or simply that it's somehow managed to get air in the system.

I'd get a big syringe (about 250ml) and empty the PAS reservoir with it then top up with Carlube ATF-U or your preferred ATF/PAS fluid. Start the engine, turn the steering slowly from lock to lock until bubbles no longer appear in the fluid in the reservoir - top up as necessary.

Repeat at weekly intervals until the fluid remains clean. Before doing this, make sure the drive belt is properly adjusted.

I use an empty Pot Noodle container to discharge the syringe into, being white it shows the dirt in the fluid.

If that doesn't yield improvements, we'll have to revisit this. ;) :D

I had an awful wobble on the steering of my Corsa at 70, even after fixing a bunch of obvious worn parts (required for MOT).
I popped a front wheel off and put the spare on instead and lo-and-behold the vibration was gone. Wheel was well out of balance.
Do not discount the obvious causes/fixes.

The way the OP writes it suggests it happens even when stationary, hence the answers he's had so far. Good point though, he hasn't actually stated it's only when stationary. :thumbs_up:

My 1997 S90 developed a pronounced judder just a couple of weeks ago. It was dead easy to work out what was wrong because the nearside front wheel suddenly got too hot to touch. The brake caliper had seized. Apparently a brake hose that's collapsed inwards can have the same effect.

In my case a reconditioned calliper sorted it. Luckily the disc and pads were fine, so the bill wasn't too painful.

Jack

Is this only on full lock?

900s have a ridiculously tight turning circle so they can "crab" when reversing at full lock.
Usually means the wheels are a bit out of alignment, or bushes are knackered.

My 960 has a weird "to-from" movement when turning the wheel left and right at about 45 degrees (when going round a large roundabout for example). It feels like the pump is failing, then kicks back in again and I have to make minor corrections to keep a steady radius.

It's real hard to describe but there's no judder under normal driving :shocked:

Cheers

Another post highlighting the point the OP doesn't state whether this happens when stationary or moving.

As for yours doing the weird thing on roundabouts, have you checked the PAS fluid lately and have you ever changed the fluid? Also is the PAS belt tight?