'83 SC, Very Hard Wobble in Low Speed Backing Turn
 

The other night as I was backing my car out of a parking space I noticed a very hard, intermittent wobble of the steering wheel. I was turning the wheel hard, about to the max limit turning out of the parking space. I got out thinking I had a flat but everything appeared fine.

Later I jacked the front end up but couldn't find anything obvious (checked for a bulge on the front tires, grabbed the front wheel and checked for loose bearings, looked at linkage...). Couldn't find anything.

I drove it again and backed it up in a turn and found I get the same wobble under the same conditions.

A strange thing and probably nothing to be concerned about, just wondering if it might be indicative of a front end problem that I'm not aware of in normal driving.

Gordo

Tires......

The feeling is similar to one of the front tires hitting a patch of ice while turning slowly and loosing traction then grabbing again. It jolts the steering wheel.

Tires

I think I know the symptom. The cure may be elusive, but you are getting some signs that you ought to check all your steering components.

Let me give you an example. I removed my steering rack and there is a lot of wear at the center position. With proper alignment, all I noticed was a slight amount of play while centered. The tie rods were adequate. I had to go deep to find the problem.

I don't think the rack may be to blame for your situation, I was just citing an example. You should go over your steering thoroughly including alignment.

Is there any reason your steering would turn past the stops?

I bet you can experience the situation going forward also. Try it. Turn your steering wheel to the extreme left and move forward slowly. Then try it from the right. I bet the wobble will appear....

I also venture to say the when you are driving at normal/spirited speeds, your car seems normal. Right?

Tires (front)

Steering Stops
 

Zeke brought up another question I had as I was looking into it. How far should the wheel turn and what manual provides detail on adjusting the turn stop (Is that in my Bently?).

As I looked at the underside and turned the wheel by hand (with the front end jacked up) I noticed the wheel came pretty close to the to the rear of the wheel well as I maxed it out. The wheel was about 1/4" or less from rubbing. This was by hand, I assume it could move a little more with the weight of the car in a turn.

For the tire part: are you saying I need new tires? I do by the way, but just out of the fact they are old (but in decent shape).

Thanks Gordo

Is it possible your tire is rubbing on the wheel arch, and when in reverse is "catching" on it? Or maybe it's something within the wheel well. And then, because of the rotation of the wheel it might not catch when in forward motion.

It might be good to have a helper look for this while you drive (or vice versa).

Having the wheel balance checked also sounds like a good idea.

Gordo.....

When you re-new your tires (front) the problem will go away.....

Thanks.....