91 accord: tie rods? ball joints? bearings? tire strangeness?

[fratermus]

Did some googling and it seems that Hondas are known for steering shake of varying kinds. Haven't seen a post that mentions these exact symptoms, though. Here's what we know:

* 91 Accord SE, 4spd auto, newish tires (no uneven wear). Just bought the car for a pittance. Not free, but nearly so.

* pronounced "shake" in steering wheel, frequency tied to speed.

* not related to braking (ie, not warped rotors)

* rythmic wah-wah-wah sound like you hear with an unbalanced or irregularly-shaped tire

* more pronounced at low speeds - steering wheel reciprocating maybe .75". At cruising speeds maybe .125" movment.

* more pronounced when going straight, reduced when turning.

* no clunking or metal-on-metal sounds

I suspect something serious, and have set aside time to visit a mech in the coming week. Am driving another car for now. I'd like to have an idea what the likely culprit is before I hit the garage.

Any ideas?

 

[Sean Dinh]

You have a serious case of a bad tire or a bent rim.

 

[Arthur Russell]

I had your symptoms (except not the wah-wah sound) almost exactly. My tech found that both front tires had what he termed belt shift. Some folks didn't agree on the terminology, but he marked the places where it had occurred, and it was obvious to me that it was the problem.

One the worse tire, he marked out two spots on the (outer) sidewall. When I ran my hand in an arc over one of these spots, there was a definite depression at the spot. Presumably there is a corresponding bump in the tread, or at least in the way the side wall reacts when that part of the tire is in contact with the tarmac. He rotated the tires to the rear (since I can't afford new right now) and the problem is essentially gone.

I don't feel I abuse the car or tires, but I am fairly spirited in my driving. So, I'm not very impressed with these tires (they're Dunlops of some sort). I guess if you have the same problems and they haven't been caused by other problems - alignment/worn suspension components - you might need to invest in new/better tires.

Good luck,
Arthur

 

[Graham W]

Did some googling and it seems that Hondas are known for steering shake of varying kinds. Haven't seen a post that mentions these exact symptoms, though. Here's what we know:

* 91 Accord SE, 4spd auto, newish tires (no uneven wear). Just bought the car for a pittance. Not free, but nearly so.

* pronounced "shake" in steering wheel, frequency tied to speed.

* not related to braking (ie, not warped rotors)

* rythmic wah-wah-wah sound like you hear with an unbalanced or irregularly-shaped tire

* more pronounced at low speeds - steering wheel reciprocating maybe .75". At cruising speeds maybe .125" movment.

* more pronounced when going straight, reduced when turning.

* no clunking or metal-on-metal sounds

I suspect something serious, and have set aside time to visit a mech in the coming week. Am driving another car for now. I'd like to have an idea what the likely culprit is before I hit the garage.

Any ideas?

No one so far (Sat am) has mentioned getting the wheels balanced! While they may have been at first fitting, they can go out after a few thousand as they settle to their running seating on the rim.

 

[George Macdonald]

Did some googling and it seems that Hondas are known for steering shake of varying kinds. Haven't seen a post that mentions these exact symptoms, though. Here's what we know:

* 91 Accord SE, 4spd auto, newish tires (no uneven wear). Just bought the car for a pittance. Not free, but nearly so.

* pronounced "shake" in steering wheel, frequency tied to speed.

* not related to braking (ie, not warped rotors)

* rythmic wah-wah-wah sound like you hear with an unbalanced or irregularly-shaped tire

* more pronounced at low speeds - steering wheel reciprocating maybe .75". At cruising speeds maybe .125" movment.

* more pronounced when going straight, reduced when turning.

* no clunking or metal-on-metal sounds

I suspect something serious, and have set aside time to visit a mech in the coming week. Am driving another car for now. I'd like to have an idea what the likely culprit is before I hit the garage.

Any ideas?

Jack the car up, spin the wheels and check the wheels and tires to see if you can see anything not "true". If this happens at all speeds I doubt it's just a tire out of balance - more likely a bent wheel or trouble with the tire... tread separation or bad manufacture. What kind/quality tires do you have? I've seen, with cheap tires, where the tread is not well aligned and you can see it wobble as it spins.

No clicking noise when you turn under load?... which would be outer C/V joint. Inner C/V joint trouble is usually an oscillation under moderate acceleration which disappears on coasting.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

[jason carr]

You have a serious case of a bad tire or a bent rim.

Thanks for the many posts of good input on my question. I've been out of town on biz, but will have it checked out and will let you guys know what it was.

 

[jason carr]

Thanks for the many posts of good input on my question. I've been out of town on biz, but will have it checked out and will let you guys know what it was.

I checked air pressure; was 20-21 in all four
tires. Cranked it up to 29psi as the manual specifies and BAM! the odd shaking was 95% eliminated. If I wasn't watching for it specifically I probably wouldn't feel it now at all.

I suspect the belt-seperation theory is correct, and that the defect is largely hidden when riding at full tire pressure.

All four tires being at the same low pressure makes me think the prev owner did it on purpose to soften the ride, or maybe his gauge was off.