White knuckle ride

When I was out driving today I noticed that the steering wheel felt really juddery when I got up to the 70(ish) mark, like it was really not comfortable (bricking it). When I got where I was going and before I came back I went and made sure all my tyre pressures were right or near enough and things got a bit better but a mile off the feel I had the last time I did that run (Glasgow to Dundee avoiding motorways cos I'm still a learner).

A few weeks ago I had some new (part-worn cos I'm skint) tyres put on. Which of the following do you think I ought to do next in order of importance.

1) Break the piggy bank and just go buy four new tyres.
2) Have the tyres balanced and wheels aligned.
3) Stop driving at 70(ish).
4) Stop using proper grown up peoples roads until I finally pass a test and know how to drive a motor properly and that.

Thanks in advance.

5. Grow some balls

I wouldn't mind if that's just the way it was but it seemed to be a bit more..... lively

mine is a bit lively at 70mph I think its normal, this your 1st motor like

Aye. The only other things I've driven are size of shoes.

What did your supervising driver say?

There is juddery, and juddery. Somethings can be lived with, others need attention sooner rather than later.

If the problem has only appeared after fitting new (to you) tyres then having them balanced would be my first step.

MW

Arg right check the steering rack etc for movement thats where I would start

Rather than be ignorant I'd come find you nice people and get your advice and better understand my vehicle and all that because it's the best way to learn what's right and what's not and sort stuff before it becomes a problem.

So sorry if I ask some of the most basic simple questions.

Swap the wheels front to back and see if there's any difference.

Am I right in having the back wheels with a lot more pressure in them? 27 in the front and 37 in the back I read.

V8Jay said:

Arg right check the steering rack etc for movement thats where I would start

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? on a discovery!
Steering box may need adjusting,worn ball joints, bushes

But steering damper, swivel hub preload and tramlining with certain tyres also
possibles.

need process of elimination but steering damper one of the favorites

oh and rear dampers shearing

So I should work from the bottom up checking the tyres, wheels, bushes, dampers all the way up to steering box. I say I but you know what I mean.

fanatic said:

? on a discovery!
Steering box may need adjusting,worn ball joints, bushes

But steering damper, swivel hub preload and tramlining with certain tyres also
possibles.

need process of elimination but steering damper one of the favorites

Click to expand...

fook I must be asleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz damper

It's a bit like sex, experience helps.
Where are you?
Chock wheels and jack on a flat surface.

A bar to test bushes.
(particularly hockey sticks at front and rear trailing arms to chassis)

front in air, wheel held at 9 and 3 -work any freeplay-may need assistant to work freeplay while you hold and watch joints.
Get assistant to hold steering wheel- wheel 9 and 3 check for play
On deck gently move steering wheel and see how far it takes before you detect slight movement.

jack up hands at 12 and 6 -look for freeplay
Also bar from floor under tyre try free play.

Not exhaustive but you get the idea

fanatic said:

It's a bit like sex, experience helps.
Where are you?

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Still fiddling with the bra clasp.

finallysnapped said:

Still fiddling with the bra clasp.

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Sense of humour- fit in well here

finallysnapped said:

So I should work from the bottom up checking the tyres, wheels, bushes, dampers all the way up to steering box. I say I but you know what I mean.

Click to expand...

Yes definitely.

If the wheels were not balanced when the Tyres were fitted it could get very lairy.

Mine are balanced with ceramic beads inside (long story) but sometimes they go out of balance for a bit and it still scares the **** out of me, cos I know what it feels like when a wheel bearing seizes or a swivel ball sheares off!

Do try to get it sorted, it's most likely wheel balance of free play in the bearings, swivels or steering rods.

A large lump of mud stuck on the inside of a wheel caught me out once, at motorway speed the judder was so bad I couldn't hold onto the steering wheel! I looked like a right fool at the tyre centre when they realised that's all it was!!!!!

I had something similar. I thought it would be the hub but funnily enough it was the brake discs - new discs and shoes and problem sorted. Hope its as easy for you