Another Idea Re Steering Wheel Vibrations

[artbuc]

1999 Avalon XLS

Yes, me again still chasing this one. Can feel vibrations in steering wheel when stopped in gear plus feel shock when I hit a big bump. My car transmits steering wheel rotation to the rack with a rubbber flex coupling similar to this:

https://www.jegs.com/p/Borgeson/Borgeson-Rubber-Coupling-Rag-Joints/755269/10002/-1

My coupling has two rubber discs each about 3/16” thick. Not sure but it appears I have marks caused by metal to metal contact which could only happen if rubber discs flex too much. Considering age of vehicle, do you think rubber discs could possibly be deteriorating and not properly isolating steering wheel from engine vibrations and road shock?

 

[MolaKule]

Could be but I would make sure Struts are good and wheels are in balance.

I had one front tire on the left that caused what you described and it turned out to be a defective tire that couldn't be balanced.

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Could be but I would make sure Struts are good and wheels are in balance.

I had one front tire on the left that caused what you described and it turned out to be a defective tire that couldn't be balanced.


Unbalanced tire caused steering wheel vibration when car is not moving?

 

[mehullica]

Check the engine mount by the oil filter & the smaller torque mount (dog bone mount) by the passenger side near the strut tower. If you power brake the car with just a little throttle snap the engine will move quite a bit.

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: mehullica
Check the engine mount by the oil filter & the smaller torque mount (dog bone mount) by the passenger side near the strut tower. If you power brake the car with just a little throttle snap the engine will move quite a bit.


All mounts replaced with factory parts. Throttle body and IAC valve cleaned, etc, etc. I want to focus on this flex coupling. I have never seen a report that it is problematic but not too many people driving a 19 yo car although she only has 145k miles.

 

[artbuc]

I have found the answer. My flex joint, more commonly called a rag joint is specifically designed to isolate the steering wheel from engine vibrations and shock. The rubber does fatigue over time and can eventually allow transmission of vibration and shock. May not be my problem but it definitely could be.

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: artbuc
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Could be but I would make sure Struts are good and wheels are in balance.

I had one front tire on the left that caused what you described and it turned out to be a defective tire that couldn't be balanced.


Unbalanced tire caused steering wheel vibration when car is not moving?


Not usually unless I had bad engine or transmission mounts.

Glad you found your problem.

 

[mx5miata]

Could be a number of things. Struts, exhaust hanger, motor mounts, etc... Could be the steering rack.

 

[The Critic]

Does this car have aftermarket axles?

I recently worked on a Rogue where I installed aftermarket axles. Immediately afterwards, you could feel vibrations when stopped at a stoplight. This was the first time that I have seen this, and I am not entirely sure why this happens. A google search turned up similar reports on Subaru’s when running aftermarket axles. I eventually installed rebuilt factory axles for a different reason, and the factory axles cured the problem.

 

[artbuc]

Thanks for the suggestions. I know there are many possible causes as I have posted this question in various ways a few times. In this case I am trying to learn specifically about the steering shaft rag joint. I can not find a single example on any Toyota/Lexus forum where someone had an issue with their rag joint. However, not too many people driving a 19yo car.

Critic, I take care of my friend’s 07 Outback so I know all about the axle issue along with wheel bearings, headgaskets, etc, etc. That vintage Subie has many challenges.

 

[Trav]

I cant see that kind of joint transmuting much vibration at all, there is no possibility for metal to metal contact unless the rubber was so weak it allowed the bolts to contact the plate on the other side, if the rubber were hard it would probably show evidence of cracks.

 

[funflyer]

It's a long shot, but by chance, are you using a steering wheel cover? I ask because some years ago I put a cover on the steering wheel of my wife's 1997 Honda Accord and within weeks she was complaining of wheel vibrations. It was only vibrating while stopped and would quit as soon as the car was moving again. After chasing possible causes for days I decided to remove the cover and the vibration was gone. The cover was one of those that stretches tightly over the wheel.

 

[pezzy669]

Toyota had a large number of problems with the intermediate steering shaft but don't know if it dated back to your Avalon, I know the Camry that came out in ~'02 was one of the worst offenders. Drove a few of those that had knocking and clunking steering wheels with under 60k miles on them.

Just google it and you will have days upon days of reading pleasure, it affected a lot of cars that shared the Camry platform.

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: pezzy669
Toyota had a large number of problems with the intermediate steering shaft but don't know if it dated back to your Avalon, I know the Camry that came out in ~'02 was one of the worst offenders. Drove a few of those that had knocking and clunking steering wheels with under 60k miles on them.

Just google it and you will have days upon days of reading pleasure, it affected a lot of cars that shared the Camry platform.


Right, I am familiar with this issue and the TSB fix. Does not relate to my situation.

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: funflyer
It's a long shot, but by chance, are you using a steering wheel cover? I ask because some years ago I put a cover on the steering wheel of my wife's 1997 Honda Accord and within weeks she was complaining of wheel vibrations. It was only vibrating while stopped and would quit as soon as the car was moving again. After chasing possible causes for days I decided to remove the cover and the vibration was gone. The cover was one of those that stretches tightly over the wheel.


No cover, but your experi nice is very interesting!

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I cant see that kind of joint transmuting much vibration at all, there is no possibility for metal to metal contact unless the rubber was so weak it allowed the bolts to contact the plate on the other side, if the rubber were hard it would probably show evidence of cracks.


Trav, as usual you are right as rain. Someone posted on a Toyota forum that they removed the rubber discs and just bolted up the rag joint. They could not detect any increased engine vibration or ride harshness in the steering wheel. They did experience a slightly more responsive steering.