C70 S70 V70: - v70 steering wheel wobble

chrisbox · Dec 2nd, 2016, 21:33

At low speeds the steering wheel oscillates in my hands. At higher speeds I can feel vibration as if the wheels are out of balance (which cannot be the problem if the stering wheel does what it does). I put this down to a driveshaft problem and replaced the nearside shaft complete. Made no difference. Before I replace the offside shaft, can anyone (Chris Rogers?) shed any light on my problem. I can understand that if a wheel bearing had failed, you would get a similar situation, but reading other posts it seems this is not a common problem on Volvos & no play is apparent on either wheel and there is no 'lancaster bomber' droning. I was starting to wonder if the power steering or perhaps the rack was at fault (it has done 208k miles), have checked fluid level & is OK. Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received.

SteveSarre · Dec 2nd, 2016, 21:55

Hi Chris

Have you checked the (probably front) tyres for "out of round"?
Easiest way is to take them in to a tyre shop, discuss the problem, ask for them to be balanced, and look at them as they spin on the balancing wheel.

HTH
Steve

byootox · Dec 2nd, 2016, 22:00

As above a distorted or out of shape tyre could cause this.
I'd be checking this before condemning driveshafts.
Is the fault worse under hard acceleration then better when on over run ?
If the tyres check out ok then I'd strip the inner cv to bits and check the inside surfaces.

Luxobarge · Dec 2nd, 2016, 23:02

As above, favourite is a wheel problem - bent, out of balance, damaged tyre etc. A quick and easy way to narrow it down to tyres or not is simply to swap the fronts for the rears, and see if it makes a difference.

chrisbox · Dec 5th, 2016, 11:00

Thank you Steve and sorry for the tardy reply. You could well be right about a wheel/tyre running out of true. I will put the front wheels up on axle stands and watch carefully. I had an advisory last year for a damaged cv joint boot, so that's why I pulled the nearside driveshaft out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSarre

Hi Chris

Have you checked the (probably front) tyres for "out of round"?
Easiest way is to take them in to a tyre shop, discuss the problem, ask for them to be balanced, and look at them as they spin on the balancing wheel.

HTH
Steve

chrisbox · Dec 5th, 2016, 11:07

Thank you for your suggestion. I will examine carefully (and I have other wheels I can substitute). As for under hard acceleration, the answer is probably the vibration is worse, but the steering wheel wobble is really only noticeable at low speeds. It could well be wheels/tyres running out of true and an inner CV joint problem. I will experiment and report back.

Austin160 · Dec 5th, 2016, 11:13

I think there is a danger here of ignoring - as second best chance- the tyres themselves.
If it were mine - as has been recommended - I would be simply but thoroughly inspecting the tyres ( best on a wheel balancer), and only when it's been confirmed that all is well, would I be looking anywhere else for the cause of this problem.

Mjcole · Dec 5th, 2016, 15:09

hi,

Could it be that both your inner and outer steering rack ball joints are worn.

Mike.

thealchemyst · Dec 5th, 2016, 21:42

Or you have to much/little toe, can cause wobble and vibration as tyres constantly scrubbing then trying to regain their shape. Similar symptoms also caused by worn bushes

Dec 2nd, 2016, 21:33	#1
chrisbox New Member Last Online: Jan 8th, 2019 11:20 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Newbury	v70 steering wheel wobble At low speeds the steering wheel oscillates in my hands. At higher speeds I can feel vibration as if the wheels are out of balance (which cannot be the problem if the stering wheel does what it does). I put this down to a driveshaft problem and replaced the nearside shaft complete. Made no difference. Before I replace the offside shaft, can anyone (Chris Rogers?) shed any light on my problem. I can understand that if a wheel bearing had failed, you would get a similar situation, but reading other posts it seems this is not a common problem on Volvos & no play is apparent on either wheel and there is no 'lancaster bomber' droning. I was starting to wonder if the power steering or perhaps the rack was at fault (it has done 208k miles), have checked fluid level & is OK. Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received. __________________ V70 1998 2435 10 valve

Dec 2nd, 2016, 21:55	#2
SteveSarre Premier Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2024 15:16 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: London/West Country	Hi Chris Have you checked the (probably front) tyres for "out of round"? Easiest way is to take them in to a tyre shop, discuss the problem, ask for them to be balanced, and look at them as they spin on the balancing wheel. HTH Steve __________________ V70 2.5 Turbo AWD Man. 1999 Red V70 2.5 10V Auto 1998 Green C70 T 20V Auto Conv. 2001 Blue, C70 T5 Auto Conv. 2000 Blue V70 2.5 Turbo AWD Auto 1998 Green, V70 2.5 10V Auto BiFuel 1999 Red (scrapped) V70 20v Auto 1999 Green (scrapped)

Dec 2nd, 2016, 22:00	#3
byootox Premier Member Last Online: Dec 20th, 2021 23:22 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Edinburgh	As above a distorted or out of shape tyre could cause this. I'd be checking this before condemning driveshafts. Is the fault worse under hard acceleration then better when on over run ? If the tyres check out ok then I'd strip the inner cv to bits and check the inside surfaces. __________________ 99 V70 T5

Dec 2nd, 2016, 23:02	#4
Luxobarge Premier Member Last Online: Today 09:37 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Horne (Nr. Horley)	As above, favourite is a wheel problem - bent, out of balance, damaged tyre etc. A quick and easy way to narrow it down to tyres or not is simply to swap the fronts for the rears, and see if it makes a difference. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies, they serve no useful purpose but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.

Dec 5th, 2016, 11:07	#6
chrisbox New Member Last Online: Jan 8th, 2019 11:20 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Newbury	Thank you Thank you for your suggestion. I will examine carefully (and I have other wheels I can substitute). As for under hard acceleration, the answer is probably the vibration is worse, but the steering wheel wobble is really only noticeable at low speeds. It could well be wheels/tyres running out of true and an inner CV joint problem. I will experiment and report back. __________________ V70 1998 2435 10 valve

Dec 5th, 2016, 11:13	#7
Austin160 Master Member Last Online: Oct 29th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Cardiff	V70 steering wheel wobble. I think there is a danger here of ignoring - as second best chance- the tyres themselves. If it were mine - as has been recommended - I would be simply but thoroughly inspecting the tyres ( best on a wheel balancer), and only when it's been confirmed that all is well, would I be looking anywhere else for the cause of this problem.

Dec 5th, 2016, 15:09	#8
Mjcole New Member Last Online: Aug 25th, 2017 10:02 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Kidwelly	hi, Could it be that both your inner and outer steering rack ball joints are worn. Mike.

Dec 5th, 2016, 21:42	#9
thealchemyst Master Member Last Online: Aug 22nd, 2018 20:57 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Coalville/Leicestershire	Or you have to much/little toe, can cause wobble and vibration as tyres constantly scrubbing then trying to regain their shape. Similar symptoms also caused by worn bushes __________________ 1995 850 t5 glt estate purple,FK-40mm,stainless exhaust polybushed,wilwood4pot+s60r discs,mbc,019 battery,18" c30 alloys,michelin pilots,silicone hoses,braided brake lines,HID's,ipd track swaybars 25+mpg :0) @Prescott Hillclimb Last edited by thealchemyst; Dec 5th, 2016 at 21:44.

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