Steering wheel vibration rattle at idle

**tvjake2** · 08-16-2017, 05:26 PM

I've developed a very small vibration in the steering wheel (something like the feeling of an electric toothbrush vibration) when the car is at a stop, in gear and particularly with the A/C running. There is also a rattling sound that seems to be coming from under the dash during the vibration but I think it's actually in the engine bay. I'm guessing it's a problem in the hydraulics in the steering system...low pressure issue? Pump? Clogged hoses?

Any ideas?

**dragon850** · 08-16-2017, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by tvjake2

I've developed a very small vibration in the steering wheel (something like the feeling of an electric toothbrush vibration) when the car is at a stop, in gear and particularly with the A/C running. There is also a rattling sound that seems to be coming from under the dash during the vibration but I think it's actually in the engine bay. I'm guessing it's a problem in the hydraulics in the steering system...low pressure issue? Pump? Clogged hoses?

Any ideas?

What about the engine mounts?

**tvjake2** · 08-16-2017, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by dragon850

What about the engine mounts?

Just replaced engine mounts and trans mounts. It was doing this before that.

**Timm** · 08-17-2017, 04:22 AM

What is the RPM at idle when this problem occurs? Below a certain RPM you will feel each pulse of the PS pump, especially if it is under load.

**tvjake2** · 08-17-2017, 05:17 PM

Thanks, Tim. I had the same thought and tried to determine if rpm was the culprit.

The weird thing was when I moved the steering wheel 5 degrees to the right or the left the vibration and noise stopped. There were no leaks but I checked all the fittings for loose connections. Nothing. I started thinking that I had some issues with the power steering pump not supplying enough pressure. I have no equipment to test the pressure so I took the car to AVUS Autosports in Glendale, CA. They took me in right away without appointment (nice).

Well, I was partially correct...it was in the power steering system, just not what I expected.

When AVUS called back (within an hour) the first question they asked me was, "Who polished your power steering hose?" I thought that was an odd question but I said that I did when cleaning cosmoline off the engine compartment. I cleaned the cosmoline off the ps aluminum lines and then polished with Nevr Dull, the same stuff used in the Navy to polish everything that isn't painted grey. Turns out I had slightly distorted the hose, that seemingly happened when I polished the line, and when pushed back (an 1/8") into line the vibration and noise stopped. Amazing.

I'll continue cleaning and polishing but with a more careful approach.

power steering hose.jpg