Pulsing while steering

[scapistron]

After a couple of tire rebalances and an alignment I don't have any vibration at speed (70mph) anymore. The shop did leave the steering wheel ever so slightly off 12 o'clock though. One of those things I'd like them to make right, but not at the expense of my time or the risk of them making something else worse.

I do notice a little bit of pulsing while making steering inputs, most noticeable at lower speeds where the input is greater. This could be in my head, but does anyone have thoughts?

 

[ftillier]

If by pulsing you mean it takes more effort when turning the lower steering shaft u-joint is likely on its way out. Straight forward repair if that's it.

 

[scapistron]

Effort to turn is very low / normal. I should have mentioned that. It just feels like the hydraulic feedback is too high.

 

[Rover Range]

Dirty power steering fluid can cause the pulsating that you are feeling.

You can change the fluid out yourself.
With the engine off, remove as much fluid as you can.
Fill reservoir, run engine for couple minutes. Repeat until the fluid is clear. Usually about 3 qts.

 

[BBLR3]

Dirty power steering fluid can cause the pulsating that you are feeling.

You can change the fluid out yourself.
With the engine off, remove as much fluid as you can.
Fill reservoir, run engine for couple minutes. Repeat until the fluid is clear. Usually about 3 qts.

I know its time to clean mine when I feel that pulsing and this is exactly what I do. I use Pentosin CHF 202

 

[itsaguything]

Pulsing… while moving… as in a worn tie rod end??

 

[scapistron]

Control arms were all rebuilt a year ago. I checked for play in the front wheels at 3 & 9 and 12 & 6, everything was nice and tight. I'll swap the fluid and report back.

 

[BBLR3]

Pulsing… while moving… as in a worn tie rod end??

I notice it when pulling slowly out of my driveway. As I turn the steering wheel, the feel gets tight, then loose, then tight (pulsing feeling). I thought maybe my fluid level was low, but it was fine, just very black. Fluid flush cleared it up.

 

[ftillier]

I had tight/loose/tight when turning and it was the U-joint on the lower steering shaft that had one of the axis binding (hence tightening the feel when that axis rotated). If you haven't done the power steering fluid start there, but if it persists then that's the next thing I'd look at.

 

[scapistron]

Siphoned out the power steering fluid at least a half dozen times and it is good.