Steering Wheel Judder On Acceleration And Braking At Motorway Speeds

[philipedjones]

Hi All,

 

I hope you can help me. My Seat Alhambra, 93k on the clock, has significant steering wheel judder when accelerating and braking at motorway speeds, coasting at motorway speeds and driving around the houses you would think nothing was wrong. I have replaced the front discs and pads with Mintex parts and apart from improving the braking nothing has changed. Does anyone have any ideas?

[BrianH]

Hi All,

 

I hope you can help me. My Seat Alhambra, 93k on the clock, has significant steering wheel judder when accelerating and braking at motorway speeds, coasting at motorway speeds and driving around the houses you would think nothing was wrong. I have replaced the front discs and pads with Mintex parts and apart from improving the braking nothing has changed. Does anyone have any ideas?

Could be either the front tyres are inbalanced, or not upto the job, Easiest way to tell would be to swap the front and rear tyres over.

 

If the tyres are underrated (the correct rating should be shown on the inside of the fuel flap depending which model you have depends whats correct) but generally speaking they need XL rated tyres - its the load rating you'd need to check.

 

Otherwise its possible its a steering issue caused by worn parts - bushes a likely possibility, can be worth lifting the front wheels and checking if you have any free play there.

[philipedjones]

Hi BrianH,

 

Many thanks for your reply I will try this today.

 

What are your thoughts on a suggestion that it could be the duel mass flywheel, something about the ageing springs? I am struggling to see the link with this one but it came from two independent mechanics.

[BrianH]

Hi BrianH,

 

Many thanks for your reply I will try this today.

 

What are your thoughts on a suggestion that it could be the duel mass flywheel, something about the ageing springs? I am struggling to see the link with this one but it came from two independent mechanics.

 

If its that (and not having owned a diesel that has one) then i'd expect it to slowly get worse. They have had the benefit of seeing the car though so its possible they could be right?

 

I'd try ruling it out before considering replacing it though, as they aren't a cheap part to replace.

[sparky Paul]

When you say coasting, do you mean in gear with the clutch up, or out of gear and/or clutch depressed?

 

Get it up to speed, dip the clutch and brake - if it still does it, it's not the DMF.

[seatkid]

2 possibilities I think.

 

Worn inner splines on drive shaft(s) jack up car with wheel in air check for rotational play.

 

Track rod end play (both inner and/or outer) again check for play at both ends (note: inner is in the steering rack bellows but you can still check without removing)

[viperclive]

Had the same problem on mine when braking hard coming off motorway it turned out to be inner track rod ends (we call em lollipops up north) not overly expensive but suggest you do both sides.

 

Good luck

 

Viperclive

[antzatgalaxy]

Had same thing on mine, it was track rod ends, but significantly drivers side seemed to have the greatest influence on steering judder (only felt on accelerating and breaking).