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On February 10th, I had my car over at a Ford delaer for a Cam belt / water pump change and MOT test.
When I received the car back, I found that one of the tyres (front driver side) was different. It was a Michelin Cinturato P7, while the other 3 tyres were Good Year Efficient Grip (that I had replaced as a set). When I queried this with the service manager he investigated and told me that the driver who collected the car from my home had had a puncture, and had changed the tyre without informing the service department (but using a new original tyre from their parts department.) I was unhappy that a different brand / type of tyre from the other 3 were used, but the service manager apologized and said that they did not stock Good Year tyres.
It was a week after that that I used the car on the motorway. At speeds above 65 MPH, I noticed a strong vibration from the steering wheel. I took the car to another garage, who rebalanced the new wheel that was fitted, and they told me that the wheel was badly out of balance.
After driving the car I noticed that the vibration had significantly reduced, but there was still a slight vibration. So a couple of weeks later, I had the other front tyre (passenger side) also rebalanced and air pressure checked and equalised on all wheels.
This has further reduced the vibration and now there is a barely perceptible vibration between 65 - 75 mph. I can barely feel it, but if I lift my hands from the steering wheel (by about an inch, keeping safety in mind), I can see a small shake on the steering wheel. This does not happen at lower speeds.
I have spoke to the service manager at Ford, about these issues and have updated him on e-mail regarding what happened. He just apologised and said that we will look after you properly, the next time you are here.
On reading about this problem on the Internet, I understand that steering wheel vibrations (when not under braking), can be caused because of the following wheels.
1) Unbalanced wheels
2) bent / not perfectly round, rims
3) steering linkage / component issues
4) suspension issues
5) wheel bearing issues.
Given that I just had both front wheels balance and tyre pressures equalised, what should my next steps be.
Can I rule out steering / suspension issues because the steering wheel shake is only happening at certain speeds, or should I get those investigated?
How difficult is it to diagnose the above problems.
I understand that suspension issues is diagnosed bu pushing down on the corners of the car, and see if the car keeps bouncing. And wheel bearing issues are diagnosed by raising the car on jacks and checking whether thwere is any shake / paly on the wheels.
How are steering linkage issues diagnosed?
Should I just swap the front wheels with the rear wheels and see if the steering wheel shake still exists?
If it cures the problem, perhaps that would isolate the problem as a bent rim. Or should I get the steering linkages / suspensions / wheel bearing all checked?
Any advice appreciated.....
Edited by eustace on 15/04/2016 at 12:19
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