| Author |
Message |
|
eric4321
|
Post subject: wobble in the front end  Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:55 pm |
|
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 pm
Posts: 53
|
|
I seem to have a wobble/girating in the front end of my Cabby. I am thinking it could be drive axels. I have checked ball joints and tie rods they are good. I just had new tires and alignment. She did the same thing with the old tires and I figured that I had a flat spot. I do not have any noise from the manual trany or wheel bearings. Any help would be appreciated.
_________________ 1993 Cabriolet red. 5 speed(my working VW)  1981 rabbit 4 door auto bronze (needs engine)  1993 Suburban green (used to tow my Rabbit home and fetch parts) 
|
|
  |
|
 |
|
bbrown
|
Post subject: Re: wobble in the front end Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 11:04 pm |
|
Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:44 pm
Posts: 174
Location: Longview, TX or Exeter, ME
|
|
Could be the steering rack. Manual (non-power) steering racks are known to have wear out over time and cause a wobble/play in the steering.
_________________
~Buster
1986 VW Cabriolet 1.8 5 spd.
~__|__\__
[(O)__(O)]
|
|
| |
|
|
|
eric4321
|
Post subject: Re: wobble in the front end Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:17 am |
|
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 pm
Posts: 53
|
|
I have power steering on mine. The wobble is present even with the car on jack stands. I am thinking the joints in the drive axels are worn but the boots are good. I don't want to replace parts needlessly though.
_________________ 1993 Cabriolet red. 5 speed(my working VW) 1981 rabbit 4 door auto bronze (needs engine) 1993 Suburban green (used to tow my Rabbit home and fetch parts)
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Briano1234
|
Post subject: Re: wobble in the front end Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:04 am |
|
 |
| Whats that smell? |
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 6:45 am
Posts: 2314
Location: Duluth, Ga
|
|
Real cheap and possibly easiest fix. Check how tight your axle nuts are. They back off, and that can lead to a wobble in the front end that you can confuse with bad ball joints or tie-rods.
I personally have seen this on all three of my cabbies. (note to self, these should be checked about ever 4 months.)
They need to be at 170 ft lbs.
_________________
Briano
Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Calimus
|
Post subject: Re: wobble in the front end Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 2:16 pm |
|
|
| Grand High PooBah |
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2002 11:40 pm
Posts: 2308
Location: Cartersville, Ga
|
|
all good suggestions. Question though, does breaking cause the wobble to get more noticeable? If so, could just be a warped rotor.
_________________
88' Scirocco 16v
05' Yamaha FJR1300
|
|
| |
|
|
|
eric4321
|
Post subject: Re: wobble in the front end Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 6:07 am |
|
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 pm
Posts: 53
|
|
Well thanks for the input. I have checked the drive axel nuts they are tight past 140 ft lbs (that's as high as my torque wrench will go. I need a better one). I don't think it is warped rotors because the wheels turn freely when the car is on jacks. The other thing is it started out just when the car was starting up in the morning. I have read and heard of drive axel joints going bad like u joints on a rwd. I just want to make sure I am not missing somthing before I shell out for new drive axels.
_________________ 1993 Cabriolet red. 5 speed(my working VW) 1981 rabbit 4 door auto bronze (needs engine) 1993 Suburban green (used to tow my Rabbit home and fetch parts)
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Bugly
|
Post subject: Re: wobble in the front end Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 7:54 am |
|
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:36 pm
Posts: 46
Location: Zionsville, PA.
|
|
Remanufactured cv shafts at Napa are less than $50 each. Make sure you check the transmission side as to size, (90 mm or 100mm). Before replacing the shafts check your engine mounts, (all 4 of them) as the shafts are only warrented if the engine mounts are replaced.
I Finally broke down and changed all 4 mounts and both shafts this past weekend. It was a PITA but is was worth it. It takes care of a lot of other problems besides the wobble and rattle.
_________________
When you turn your car on........Does it return the favor?
'89 cabby
'94 jet
'02 gti 1.8 turbo
'92 F150 4X4 (VW rescue vhicle)
'99 red jet IV
|
|
| |
|
|
|
eric4321
|
Post subject: Re: wobble in the front end Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:07 am |
|
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 pm
Posts: 53
|
|
Well I replaced all 4 engine/trans mounts a few months ago. I was hoping that would eliminate the problem and it did not. I am probably going to go ahead and replace the drive axels. Anyone have any brands they do or do not recomend? I know Brian said he had reman drive axels break.
_________________ 1993 Cabriolet red. 5 speed(my working VW) 1981 rabbit 4 door auto bronze (needs engine) 1993 Suburban green (used to tow my Rabbit home and fetch parts)
|
|
| |
|
|
|
