Wobble in steering at low speeds

[SHUMAX]

2014 Explorer Sport with 52k. Still on stock Hankook tires.

I recently had the control arms replaced with OEM parts and then the rear hydro bushing with a Moog part. Put 500 miles on the car and no issues.

Yesterday, I noticed that the steering wheel would wobble slightly around 40-50mph. It wasn't a fast wobble, just noticed it moving a bit back and forth. Never noticed it before. It's generally smooth at other speeds. I have not had the tires/rims balanced in about 8k. It's probably time for that anyway.

This morning, I removed the two front tires/rims and put on my snow tires/rims and drove the vehicle and there was no wobble. That tells me it is likely the tires/rims I had on originally - OEM Sport rims with the original OEM Hankook tires.

I can't get to the tire shop for a week due to my schedule. I guess I'm looking for validation of my concern. As I removed the tires/rims, I did not notice any bends in the rims, or bulges in the tires. I also noticed no odd tire wear. Smooth and even tire wear other than some minor dry rotting on the outside edges of the tires. I suspect one, or both, tire/rims are out of balance. Or, I have a broken/slipped belt in the same. I question my logic, just a bit, though as I've always known tire balance issues to surface at a higher speed - 60mph+. Is it possible tire balance would be causing this at 40-50mph?

I am sure my tire shop will be able to tell a lot more on their Hunter 9700 RoadForce machine - i.e., too much road force, slipped/broken belt or simply out of balance. As I mentioned, I just can't get there for a week. So, I was looking for validation on my thought process.

Thanks, all!
Shumax

 

[613GT500]

2014 Explorer Sport with 52k. Still on stock Hankook tires.

I recently had the control arms replaced with OEM parts and then the rear hydro bushing with a Moog part. Put 500 miles on the car and no issues.

Yesterday, I noticed that the steering wheel would wobble slightly around 40-50mph. It wasn't a fast wobble, just noticed it moving a bit back and forth. Never noticed it before. It's generally smooth at other speeds. I have not had the tires/rims balanced in about 8k. It's probably time for that anyway.

This morning, I removed the two front tires/rims and put on my snow tires/rims and drove the vehicle and there was no wobble. That tells me it is likely the tires/rims I had on originally - OEM Sport rims with the original OEM Hankook tires.

I can't get to the tire shop for a week due to my schedule. I guess I'm looking for validation of my concern. As I removed the tires/rims, I did not notice any bends in the rims, or bulges in the tires. I also noticed no odd tire wear. Smooth and even tire wear other than some minor dry rotting on the outside edges of the tires. I suspect one, or both, tire/rims are out of balance. Or, I have a broken/slipped belt in the same. I question my logic, just a bit, though as I've always known tire balance issues to surface at a higher speed - 60mph+. Is it possible tire balance would be causing this at 40-50mph?

I am sure my tire shop will be able to tell a lot more on their Hunter 9700 RoadForce machine - i.e., too much road force, slipped/broken belt or simply out of balance. As I mentioned, I just can't get there for a week. So, I was looking for validation on my thought process.

Thanks, all!
Shumax

"This morning, I removed the two front tires/rims and put on my snow tires/rims and drove the vehicle and there was no wobble."

Nothing to worry about.
Get the alloys balanced and you should be good to go.

 

[peterk9]

Sounds like it could be a bad tire. I don't think a wobble would occur due to being out of balance. That usually results in a vibration and not a back and forth motion in the steering wheel, at least with my experience. I've noticed a 'balance' issue at lower speeds before in the Winter when wet snow got caught up in the spokes of the wheel and froze overnight.

Peter

 

[SHUMAX]

So, I just drove 5 hours on the highway at 70-80mph today. No appreciable vibes. Even when slowed to those speeds to get gas/food, no shaking. Very odd. Were the rims not perfectly centered on the hubs from the control arm replacement and I just now noticed the wobble? Not sure. Then again, could a separated belt in a tire cause a coming and going condition like this?

I have an oil change in 2k and will address it then regardless.

Will keep an eye on it. Thanks for the input!!

 

[SHUMAX]

Completed my five hour trip back. Shimmy/wobble now happens between 50-63mph nearly every time I am there. Nothing above or below though. Definitely seems like wheel balance. Have it checked out next Friday...