wobble in the front end

If you are going to go anywhere, better make sure your tranny can handle the load. Gear changes for the power hungry should be talked about here. Is that a LSD I see in your pocket?

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eric4321
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1993
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Atlanta, GA

wobble in the front end

Post by eric4321 »

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.
My Rabbit Rescue and Recovery Ranch
93 Cabriolet red. 5 speed
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bbrown
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Re: wobble in the front end

Post by bbrown »

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.


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eric4321
Posts: 143
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1993
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Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: wobble in the front end

Post by eric4321 »

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.
My Rabbit Rescue and Recovery Ranch
93 Cabriolet red. 5 speed
81 Rabbit 4 door auto bronze (project)
77 Rabbit 4 dr 4spd diesel
(Project next in line)
1987 Cabriolet parts car(may one day bring her back)
1993 Suburban green(used for Rabbit rescue)
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Briano1234
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Re: wobble in the front end

Post by Briano1234 »

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

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Calimus
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Re: wobble in the front end

Post by Calimus »

all good suggestions. Question though, does breaking cause the wobble to get more noticeable? If so, could just be a warped rotor.
16' Challenger ScatPack
05' Yamaha FJR1300
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eric4321
Posts: 143
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1993
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: wobble in the front end

Post by eric4321 »

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.
My Rabbit Rescue and Recovery Ranch
93 Cabriolet red. 5 speed
81 Rabbit 4 door auto bronze (project)
77 Rabbit 4 dr 4spd diesel
(Project next in line)
1987 Cabriolet parts car(may one day bring her back)
1993 Suburban green(used for Rabbit rescue)
Bugly
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Re: wobble in the front end

Post by Bugly »

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.
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eric4321
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Re: wobble in the front end

Post by eric4321 »

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.
My Rabbit Rescue and Recovery Ranch
93 Cabriolet red. 5 speed
81 Rabbit 4 door auto bronze (project)
77 Rabbit 4 dr 4spd diesel
(Project next in line)
1987 Cabriolet parts car(may one day bring her back)
1993 Suburban green(used for Rabbit rescue)
x-cube
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Re: wobble in the front end

Post by x-cube »

Wow Eric, let me know what you come up with, for I am the same way. Just a little bit, as i drive faster it goes away. i can't keep driving fast you know.
eric4321
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 pm
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Re: wobble in the front end

Post by eric4321 »

Well I still have not figured this one out yet. I have a friend with a 91 Cabby and he just replaced the hub bearings on his car. I need to let him drive mine and see if it is similar to his or not. We both have a little over 100,000 on the clock. I will keep you posted.
My Rabbit Rescue and Recovery Ranch
93 Cabriolet red. 5 speed
81 Rabbit 4 door auto bronze (project)
77 Rabbit 4 dr 4spd diesel
(Project next in line)
1987 Cabriolet parts car(may one day bring her back)
1993 Suburban green(used for Rabbit rescue)
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Calimus
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Re: wobble in the front end

Post by Calimus »

There is a somewhat easy test for the front wheel bearings. Jack the car up and see if you can wiggle the wheel up/down, left/right. Make sure the steering is locked when you do this to help against the left/wiggle just being the steering moving. If you can get some significant wiggle, it could be the bearing. Since the axle nut has been verified to pretty much be set right, if you can get up/down wiggle, then it's a good indicator that the bearing isn't in great shape. Now to do this wiggle test, grab the wheel at the top & bottom at the same time and then pull back & forth like you were trying to wiggle the wheel off the car.

Hope that helps.
16' Challenger ScatPack
05' Yamaha FJR1300
02' Honda VTX 1800C
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