Symptoms of a bad steering u joint?

[frickendom]

what are symptoms of a bad steering u joint? How do I diagnose this? My steering wheel is a bit shaky at high speeds and my control arm bushings, tie rods, etc seems good. I am starting to think its a u joint in the steering column. How do I go about diagnosing this?

Thanks!

[Heysüß]

man, it's steering-mania on r3v lately. I'm still waiting for a question I put in the appropriate thread, so good luck with all this.

[Heysüß]

the only thing that I can tell you, which isn't much, is to go underneath your car and see if there is play where the u-joint and steering coupler (some people call it a flex disk) meet.

[frickendom]

the only thing that I can tell you, which isn't much, is to go underneath your car and see if there is play where the u-joint and steering coupler (some people call it a flex disk) meet.

About to try this out tomorrow. Thanks

[mikeedler]

shaking steering wheel usually has nothing to column u-joints. most of the time on e30s its bent wheels or out of balance wheels. do you have stock wheels? if not, are they hubcentric?

bad u-joints in a steering colmn tend to freeze up and then make it notchy or really hard to turn the wheel.

[Earendil]

shaking steering wheel usually has nothing to column u-joints. most of the time on e30s its bent wheels or out of balance wheels. do you have stock wheels? if not, are they hubcentric?

bad u-joints in a steering colmn tend to freeze up and then make it notchy or really hard to turn the wheel.

This.

Likely the winter months helped hide a wheel becoming out of balance. I'd take it into a shop and have your wheels balanced. I know, not the free DIY option, but honestly this sounds like your problem.

When I first bought my E30, I had Les Schwab re-balancing my tires every couple months because The steering wheel would shake at freeway speeds, and if I let it go long enough, my seat would start to shake as well. After a balance it would go away. Finally a guy at LesSchwab said "I balanced them as well as I could, but these are pretty cheap tires". Finally, an honest worker that didn't just give me the :up:
That was back when I knew nothing ;-)

The other thing it could be is what you've already checked, play in the control arms and associated bushings down there. However this will often come in (and out) of play more when braking or steering. Something that happens only at higher speed just screams wheels... or drive shaft :(
But let's start with wheels and tires.

[nando]

you will get a rattle over bumps if it's getting worn, it will start popping when it starts to get bad, and I could imagine it getting notchy eventually but that's not what mine did.

it won't cause a steering wheel shake though.

[merrrr]

i just bought an e28 and thought all the front end bushings were shot. i took my wheels off when i was at work and balanced the tires.. and that was that.

[CarsSuck]

I have the same symptoms with my car. Above 75, with any steering input, i get the shakes. Straight is not so bad. I rotated my tires front to rear and it didnt change anything. I have inspected the u-joint in the coupler, and it does have play in it, as well as the rubber disk being rather squishy.

None of this is conclusive, but ill try to mount fresh tires on different wheels soon and report back. Then I'll get the new coupler.

[frickendom]

shaking steering wheel usually has nothing to column u-joints. most of the time on e30s its bent wheels or out of balance wheels. do you have stock wheels? if not, are they hubcentric?

bad u-joints in a steering colmn tend to freeze up and then make it notchy or really hard to turn the wheel.

Yes they are on stock bottle caps. The bolts are so seized I cant take off the wheels. Not sure of the history of the wheels because i just bought the car.

[frickendom]

This.

Likely the winter months helped hide a wheel becoming out of balance. I'd take it into a shop and have your wheels balanced. I know, not the free DIY option, but honestly this sounds like your problem.

When I first bought my E30, I had Les Schwab re-balancing my tires every couple months because The steering wheel would shake at freeway speeds, and if I let it go long enough, my seat would start to shake as well. After a balance it would go away. Finally a guy at LesSchwab said "I balanced them as well as I could, but these are pretty cheap tires". Finally, an honest worker that didn't just give me the :up:
That was back when I knew nothing ;-)

The other thing it could be is what you've already checked, play in the control arms and associated bushings down there. However this will often come in (and out) of play more when braking or steering. Something that happens only at higher speed just screams wheels... or drive shaft :(
But let's start with wheels and tires.

How bad was the shake because of the unbalanced wheels? Should I only balance front two?

What do you mean by "it will often come in and out"

[frickendom]

I have the same symptoms with my car. Above 75, with any steering input, i get the shakes. Straight is not so bad. I rotated my tires front to rear and it didnt change anything. I have inspected the u-joint in the coupler, and it does have play in it, as well as the rubber disk being rather squishy.

None of this is conclusive, but ill try to mount fresh tires on different wheels soon and report back. Then I'll get the new coupler.

We are on the same boat. Did you try checking the control arms/tie rods?

Also, rotating your tires are not good enough. If your front tires are out of balance, theres a good chance your rear tires are out of balance too.

[frickendom]

Edit. Steering isnt a bit shaky. Its pretty effing shaky.

[frickendom]

One of the wheels were bent. It wasnt noticeable until it was on the mount. Thanks.