Steering wheel shaking

Suspension related stuff goes in here.
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steve1
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:58 pm
Your car is a: 1980 124 Spider

Steering wheel shaking

Post by steve1 »

My 1980 124 had been driving great. Then went for a long drive, along the way I noticed the steering wheel had become shaky, I thought it was a rough road but it is the same on any road. It happens at any speed - more noticeable at higher speeds. When turning, the wheel feels steady. Any suggestions?
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focodave
Patron 2018
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Posts: 704
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:35 am
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Fort Collins, CO

Re: Steering wheel shaking

Post by focodave »

It could be any number of things, including but not limited to:
*If sitting for a long time, do the tires have some flat spots on them?
*Front wheel or wheels are out of balance
*Check to make sure if either of the front brake calipers are not allowing the brake pads to fully disengage the brake rotor
*Front wheel bearing failing or wheel bearing nut is loose
*Check tie-rod ends for integrity
*Not knowing what type of wheels are on your car -- perhaps one of them engaged a curb and is now bent?
*Front A-arm bushings/ball joints good?

That's all that comes to mind at the moment.
Check everything and you should find the problem -- it will have to be something somewhat obvious in the grand scheme of things.
As you probably know --- when all is well, the steering wheel is very calm on these cars.

Dave
1980 Spider 2000 F.I. (my hobby)
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster
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focodave
Patron 2018
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Posts: 704
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:35 am
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Fort Collins, CO

Re: Steering wheel shaking

Post by focodave »

Also -- make sure all of your lug nuts are tight.
Perhaps you have a wheel that's ready to let loose...
1980 Spider 2000 F.I. (my hobby)
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster
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lglade
Patron 2018
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Posts: 327
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:05 am
Your car is a: 1984 Pininfarina
Location: Mukilteo, WA

Re: Steering wheel shaking

Post by lglade »

focodave wrote:Also -- make sure all of your lug nuts are tight.
Perhaps you have a wheel that's ready to let loose...
Riding in my roommate's 124 Sport Coupe from Laramie Wyoming to Fort Collins Colorado in the early 1980s, we had a front wheel come off at about 70 mph due to some loose lug bolts. Nobody got hurt, but that's an experience I hope to never repeat! :shock:
Lloyd Glade- Mukilteo, WA
1984 Pininfarina Spider Azzurra
1962 Fiat 500D - wife's car
2015 Subaru Outback
2017 Ford Focus RS
steve1
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:58 pm
Your car is a: 1980 124 Spider

Re: Steering wheel shaking

Post by steve1 »

Dave, Thanks for the suggestions. I checked the lug bolts - they were tight. I rotated the tires (fronts to the back) and the problem went away. Must be the weights fell off or belt in the tires slipped.
DieselSpider
Posts: 2130
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: Steering wheel shaking

Post by DieselSpider »

steve1 wrote:Dave, Thanks for the suggestions. I checked the lug bolts - they were tight. I rotated the tires (fronts to the back) and the problem went away. Must be the weights fell off or belt in the tires slipped.
How old are the tires? Tires that suddenly go out of round tend to suddenly blow out afterwards.

Be safe!
TX82FIAT
Posts: 1814
Joined: Mon May 03, 2010 11:04 am
Your car is a: 82 Fiat Spider 2000 CSO
Location: San Antonio

Re: Steering wheel shaking

Post by TX82FIAT »

Inspect your drive shaft and the Guibo as well.
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!

82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban
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