Steering wheel shaking

[steve1]

My 1980 124 had been driving great. Then went for a long drive, along the way I noticed the steering wheel had become shaky, I thought it was a rough road but it is the same on any road. It happens at any speed - more noticeable at higher speeds. When turning, the wheel feels steady. Any suggestions?

[focodave]

It could be any number of things, including but not limited to:
*If sitting for a long time, do the tires have some flat spots on them?
*Front wheel or wheels are out of balance
*Check to make sure if either of the front brake calipers are not allowing the brake pads to fully disengage the brake rotor
*Front wheel bearing failing or wheel bearing nut is loose
*Check tie-rod ends for integrity
*Not knowing what type of wheels are on your car -- perhaps one of them engaged a curb and is now bent?
*Front A-arm bushings/ball joints good?

That's all that comes to mind at the moment.
Check everything and you should find the problem -- it will have to be something somewhat obvious in the grand scheme of things.
As you probably know --- when all is well, the steering wheel is very calm on these cars.

Dave

[focodave]

Also -- make sure all of your lug nuts are tight.
Perhaps you have a wheel that's ready to let loose...

[lglade]

Also -- make sure all of your lug nuts are tight.
Perhaps you have a wheel that's ready to let loose...

Riding in my roommate's 124 Sport Coupe from Laramie Wyoming to Fort Collins Colorado in the early 1980s, we had a front wheel come off at about 70 mph due to some loose lug bolts. Nobody got hurt, but that's an experience I hope to never repeat!

[steve1]

Dave, Thanks for the suggestions. I checked the lug bolts - they were tight. I rotated the tires (fronts to the back) and the problem went away. Must be the weights fell off or belt in the tires slipped.

[DieselSpider]

Dave, Thanks for the suggestions. I checked the lug bolts - they were tight. I rotated the tires (fronts to the back) and the problem went away. Must be the weights fell off or belt in the tires slipped.

How old are the tires? Tires that suddenly go out of round tend to suddenly blow out afterwards.

Be safe!

[TX82FIAT]

Inspect your drive shaft and the Guibo as well.