Help Celica 182 4wd turbo steering vibration

[allegro]

Hi guys i have a 1990 Celica that has developed an intermittent vibration through the steering over 40mph. I have checked the tyres and wheels inc. weights and all seems fine. I suspect it may be the abs kicking in (maybe affected by all the bad weather/salt on the roads)

Anyone have any experience with this? the last time it happened i pulled over to check the front end and when i got back in it was fine

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[rb5er]

I would imagine either your wheels need balancing (the weights being present does not mean the wheels are still balanced) or knackered ball joints.

If its under braking your discs might be knackered.

[allegro]

Wheel balancing was my first thought but the vibration is quite pronounced, But intermittent. Wouldn't the vibration be more constant if the wheels were unbalanced?

[allegro]

Oh and its present when not braking.

[V8 Armchair]

The ST182 is the fwd gt, ST185 is the gt-four turbo!......

First things first get the wheels balanced, cheapest option (won't do any harm either even if that's not the cause). Could also be the propshafts, wheel bearings as well as any suspension components - bushings/joints etc. This is not really a common problem for these AFAIK so could be any culprit.

Hit up www.gt4oc.net and see what the experts have to say.

Best thing for it is to get her up on a ramp and have a rummage about!

P.S. got any pics of her? I love a GT-Four

[allegro]

oops the previous one was the 182. keep forgetting now I have the 4wd.

so should I forget the idea of it being the abs? it's the intermittent thing I just can't get my head around.

need to do a few motorway miles next week and it's a bit disconcerting.

[rb5er]

When you say intermittent, do you mean everytime it reaches a certain speed? Everytime you drive on a particular section of road? Or totally randomly?

Hit any potholes recently? Could have a buckled wheel.

Edited by rb5er on Sunday 2nd February 22:24

[allegro]

Its totally random. That's the frustrating thing. It's like having an electrical fault or something. seems too random to be a serious mechanical fault. could it be the power steering itself? it has gone heavy on me once or twice, usually if I have hit a large puddle.

[RedAndy]

go to blackburn and see Martin Kingston!!
I cant advertise him on here, but if you want your car sorted, he is Mr GT4 in the north.
Martinking6 is his username.

a quick google should help you find the Auto Services he offers

hth

[Monkey boy 1]

If it were the ABS then it would be felt through the pedal box, but It's doubtful it would be that. My bets would be pointing towads either a failing shock absorber or a binding brake caliper.
Had a similar problem on my ST202. The caliper slider pins were seized along with a binding caliper piston.
After taking it out on a run, just walk around the car and feel the wheels. If one is warmer than the others then that would point to caliper issues.

[allegro]

Thanks for all the thoughts guys.
Couldn't get it out of my mind that it was abs related so pulled the abs fuse out and..... bingo its gone

Spoke to a celica man since and he said its probably a dicky abs relay so hopefully job sorted.

Cheers all.

[Monkey boy 1]

Not come across that issue before, but at least it's sorted now.