Steering wheel shaking

[Captain Jack]

When idling or just pulling away, the steering wheel shakes and creates a rattling noise. It's done it for a long while, but since it's a nice today, I was thinking of trying to tackle the noise. If it's just above idling (around 900rpm), you can see the steering wheel shake but if I hold the wheel, it stops. So, it's not a violent shake but you do get a little shake when under heavy load.

I am trying not to blame the engine mounts as they were all replaced 6 months/5000 miles ago but maybe one or two have come loose. Or could a steering rack work itself loose? Any ideas?

[puggy]

If it's just above idling (around 9000rpm),

[Captain Jack]

If it's just above idling (around 9000rpm),

fix0red

[steve_earwig]

9000 rpm? That'll be the valves hitting the bonnet

Umm, I haven't a clue. Is this up and down, side to side or round and round?

[swiss]

I had that, a very gentle vibration at low revs - well maybe at high revs too, but I prefer to be holding the wheel when the engine's going fast

I pulled the airbag and put lots of torques on the steering wheel retaining bolt. This solved the problem. Eventually it worked lose again and I haven't bothered repeating the 'fix' but maybe if you try it with some thread locking jollop it might stay put.

[Captain Jack]

Interesting. Didn't actually get to do anything yesterday but it seems like the whole steering column is vibrating (gently) rather than the steering wheel itself. Still, should try and tighten everything up one day.

[mjb]

You could also try checking the two bolts that hold the steering rack into the subframe. They're 18mm IIRC and on the the underside of the subframe going upwards into the rack. You shouldn't even need to jack the car up come to think of it.

I don't think it'll be your problem though...

[sirwiggum]

On the "cat" thread in general chat you mentioned the car was vibrating? Or just the steering column?

[Captain Jack]

The car doesn't vibrate, it's just a steering column.

[Welly]

Someone posted a pic on here of two offending places on the rack which can work loose? I can't remember who is was

[Captain Jack]

Welp, tomorrow I have a free day, finally. Missus going shopping and the weather will be nice. Got the Autoglass man coming to fix the stone chip on my windscreen today and tomorrow I will have a go and see what's under the car.

Still want to get this shaking fixed. I am wondering, maybe it's the engine mounts working their way loose, if I didn't do them up properly. Will try this first.

BTW, is it possible to "fix" the flexi-hose thing? There's lots of exhaust repair kits around - maybe I can use that to temporarily fix it.

(Money very tight right now with moving houses and everything else that's happening at the same time)

[Welly]

I don't think you'll fix the flexi - too many stresses and high-ish temps going on.

It's only really a problem for you in cities, in slow traffic.....oh wait

[Captain Jack]

Yes, but moving to Tunbridge Wells! Although, traffic is just as bad if not worse over there...

[Captain Jack]

What a nightmare. Thought I'd start with jacking the car up. As soon as I got under, I felt something drip on me. Opening the bonnet revealed that it was a fuel filter housing, leaking out of everywhere. With the engine running, it's an almost constant stream of fuel. I wonder how long it was like that, especially considering the fact that the trip computer showed no decrease in MPG Still, having done 115 miles on 20 litres of diesel should have set alarm bells off.

Still, took the filter housing apart, and found that the rubber seal between the cover and the base was completely knackered. In fact, its diameter was wider than the whole of the housing... I wonder how I managed to fit it like that. Could the hot weather have expanded it? Since the car was stilts, I thought I'd take my other half's car to the shops, but she took the key with her when she went shopping in central London. Thanks. Anyway, after lowering that car, swearing through traffic and missing the Saturday's 1pm closing time at local Pug's parts dept, I got a no name fuel filter from a local motor factors for £5.99. Fixed, after wasting 3 hours.

Next stop, Halfrauds. While I was under the car, I isolated as to where the leak from the flexi was coming from. The tear was near where the flexi mesh was joined to the solid part of the pipe. I thought I'd patch it up with one of those bandages you can get to stop minor leaks as I am really poor right now. Fitted that and we'll see what it's like on the road.

No idea what's causing the shaking still, as everything else seems solid underneath. I tightened up all the engine mounts (no play at all though) and stuffed the bottom mount with no-nails type stuff (my dad's fix to his knackered bottom mount). This morning, no difference How annoying....

[Captain Jack]

Welp, today I decided to tackle this ever increase rattling noise at near idle, which is getting more and more on my nerves. So, I took all of the plastic covers off, so I had a clear view of the steering column and shaft. Blipping the throttle suddenly produced the rattle coming somewhere from near the bottom of the column. Just touching it gently with my finger stopped it from rattling. However, I still don't what what it is that's making the noise. It *could* be the universal joint but I am not sure.

An interesting thing was that the rattles went away when I released the steering column lever - the one for adjusting the height. So, I thought I'd tighten some bolts and hopefully the rattle will go away. Nope, it was actually worse! The looser the bolt, the less rattle there is. OK... Let's try "damping" the noise. One thing led to another an eventually the steering column was off. I had some packing material lying around, so I thought I'd try that around the area where I think the sound is coming from.

Here we are:



I've also tried damping the screw that holds the adjuster lever in.



Turning the engine on and blipping the throttle produced NO RATTLES! Result... or so I thought. I decided to put everything together and go for a drive. Yep, sounds good. The only "side effect" was that my steering wheel was no longer in the centre when the car is going straight.



Not to worry, since I'll be replacing the COM2000 stalk, I'll adjust it then.

Went for the another drive and the rattle was BACK Maybe the packing material has already deterioated? Dunno - I stuffed the area full of rags between the join areas but the rattle is still there...........

Has anyone else had this issue and successfully resolved it? Maybe I should just stuff the entire area with expanding foam?