Twitchy steering

[Split_Pin]

Just back from a couple of days visiting family in Stockton which involved a 3 1/2 hour drive each way. Over the two days the Steering on our 2012 Chevrolet Aveo has started behaving strangely.

 

When negotiating slight bends at low speeds such as roundabouts or chicanes, the steering wheel 'pulses' in my hand. It also feels as if there is a slight delay when turning a few degrees gently left to right.

 

Sometimes it also 'pulses' when accelerating slowly from about 20 mph.

 

If you use more lock say when negotiating a junction or parking, the steering is fine.

 

It doesn't make any noises and there's not any noticeable wheel wobble at speed.

 

Any ideas what this could be?

[Guest Hooli]

Power steering? (probably is) check the fluid level for starters. Plus check the belt is tight enough

[Split_Pin]

I will check that in the morning. I do hope it's not a leak in the system, had a bad experience of that before. The car only needs to last us until we get our new one in a months time.

[Barry Cade]

Twisted tyre I'd reckon.

 

[Guest Hooli]

How the hell do you twist a tyre?

[twosmoke300]

Is that a bct is that pic mr Cade ?

When only the cheapest shiniest Chinese tyre will do

[Split_Pin]

Twisted tyre I'd reckon.

 

Wouldn't that cause shaking /vibration at speed though? It drives fine at motorway speeds and also fine all through the twisty turns of the A66.

[Barry Cade]

Wouldn't that cause shaking /vibration at speed though? It drives fine at motorway speeds and also fine all through the twisty turns of the A66.

Surprisingly not. Folks have been surprised when I've shown them their tyre all out of shape, and the only symptoms have been a low speed "wobble" through the steering. Worth a look...but DONT run your hand around the tyre, just in case there are wires poking through.. You'd greet.

[Barry Cade]

How the hell do you twist a tyre?

Its when one or more of the wires break which forms the carcass of the tyre, causing it to go out of shape. SOmetimes caused by impact, sometimes just through corrosion from a nail or something, and tyre price makes no difference- can happen to any tyre.

[Split_Pin]

Thanks Barry, I shall check that. Glad you mention that quality doesn't matter as I was about to say they were reasonable Khumos.

 

If it is thankfully I have an GT radial in the garage that is the correct dimension and almost unused so that can get boshed on if one tyre has failed.

[Guest Hooli]

Its when one or more of the wires break which forms the carcass of the tyre, causing it to go out of shape. SOmetimes caused by impact, sometimes just through corrosion from a nail or something, and tyre price makes no difference- can happen to any tyre.

 

That makes sense ta. It's just something I've never heard of happening before.

[Kiltox]

Is the PAS electronic or hydraulic?

 

Sounds like the typical electronic PAS failure in a Corsa C....

[Split_Pin]

It's a hydraulic system. I do hope it's the tyre. Right now a month seems an awfully long time.

[Tickman]

Is parking it up for the month and getting the Corsa back on the road a viable option?

After a check of the obvious of course!

[Split_Pin]

I thought about that but this is the car my wife uses and I'm not sure she would be too comfortable driving the Megane. She also literally hates driving the Corsa and said she'd never do it again. I think I'd have to do a fair bit of running about if the Chevy is u/s. Can't wait to get rid of it now!

[320touring]

Astra not available? Can wind the coilies up;)

[Split_Pin]

Careful as she is, she would be too worried about scratching it!

 

Hopefully either the spare tyre or some stop leak if it's the steering system will sort it for a few weeks.....

[twosmoke300]

I've seen a few pas cars pulse when turning . Usually turns out to be a fault in the valving inside the rack

[Split_Pin]

Blimey i hope not, a £700 or so bill will not be happening on this car!

[r.welfare]

Try swapping tyres front to rear first?

[Snipes]

I was thinking tyres too. Should be clear to see if you can get the car up into a two-poster and just spin the wheels by hand.

[billyboy406v6]

Bridge it ?

[Luxxo Waftybarger]

Totally different car but on my Volvo V70 had the same symptoms and it was the rack and pump. Try flushing the fluid and then driving it for a few hours then check the level.

[Station]

 

I had a twisted tyre, think the banding or the inner wall detaches. It really vibrates, and you'd know it.

I had the pulsating thing on my dads Berlingo. When you're going round a roundabout with the wheel turned does it feel like it's pulling out of the turn, and can only be held in place with force? It was the PAS system, or probably air in the system.

[theorganist]

I had a brief dalliance with a Montego a couple of years ago.

 

When I picked it up and started driving it had a very distinct "pulse" to the left to the point where I was considering calling the AA as I had a 30 mile drive home. I stopped the car and checked the tyres and then looked underneath, with a torch in the dark on a damp night on a Gloucestershire country lane. The movement was so pronounced I wondered if something was seriously wrong with the steering, everything looked secure. When I got to the main road and picked up speed a little the movement diminished to it feeling little more than the tracking being slightly out.

 

It turned out there was a bulge in the tyre, it was flat when I picked the car up and I assume it had been sitting for sometime on a flat tyre which had put it out of shape.

[Split_Pin]

Ok just been out and gone through all of your suggestions.

 

Fluid level: up to the max

Jacked up each front wheel, inspected and spun. No defects obvious, no undulations when focusing on the top surface of the tyre as it span.

 

Grabbed the wheel left and right and top to bottom, rocked it, Nothing obvious.

Checked wheel bolts were tight, all good.

Switched on engine, replicated slow turn left to right, turning the wheel 45 degrees left to right, perfectly smooth, no pulsing or noises.

 

I'm stumped. If it was the rack that was faulty, why would it not pulse all the time I.e. When stationery?

 

I'm starting to think it might be a track rod end or a bush?

[Richard]

Strut top bearings maybe? It could be fighting to start turning but fine once the initial stiffness is overcome.

[Split_Pin]

Yeah that's sort of what it feels like at times, an initial resistance.

[andy18s]

Check the steering column/rack u/j,or possibly the columns' bearings.

If these are starting to tighten up it could give those symptoms

[Split_Pin]

How would I check those for partial seizure?