When driving at 20-30 mph, I feel a vibration in my steering wheel.?

Question

Just recently, I had to replace the tension pulley because it was bad and my serpentine belt came off. During that time, I lost steering, but by pulling VERY HARD was able to turn the steering wheel enough to drive five blocks home. Could this be damage I caused by turning the wheel while the serpentine belt was off? What else could be making my steering wheel vibrate at low speeds? I don't notice it as much at higher speeds, yet then the wheels feel wobbly, even though they don't LOOK wobbly from the outside (I've had someone watch as I drive by them). When I replaced the tension pulley, I also had an alignment done. HELP, PLEASE!

Answer 1

Your main question... did I cause damage by turning the wheel without power steering. The answer is no. It is a power assist. It will be harder to turn but it is made to work without power steering engaged.
A few things to look at that are simple:

1. Tire is not balanced correctly. You could have lost a lead weight or due to wear, the weight chosen is no longer accurate.
2. You hit a pothole and bent a wheel slightly. It might be able to be straightened or replaced.
3. Damage to or loose tie rod or other steering linkage. (this could have also occured from an alignment... they forgot to re-tighten up parts loosened to change the alignment)
4. Slightly out of round tires
5. Tires are excessively worn and do not hold their shape as they should.

(if the vibration is actually a hesitation)
1. worn bands in second gear of the transmission
2. shifting at the wrong speed (shifting too early)
3. clogged fuel filter
4. poor functioning air mass sensor

(if the vibration happens with any turning of the wheel)
1. Low on power steering fluid
2. Power steering pump weak (power steering us used more at low speeds)

Answer 2

make sure the new tyre is correctly inflated to match the other 3 on the vehicle also check tension on wheel nuts if the wheels were balanced the tracking should be OK but it may be worth checking again the brake pads and discs might be getting a bit worn too when were they last checked or replaced another tip i can give you as well is when you are driving down this road at 40 + try 3rd gear instead of 4th this will give much more engine braking and control down the hill without really losing any speed you will also find you need the brakes much less often you may have to dab them just to keep at 40 but you wont need any real substantial braking hope this helps ps whats the steering like when you are braking on other roads if it is just this particular road where you notice it it could be down to the road surface or camber

Answer 3

The serpentine belt drives your power steering pump wich aids your steering but I would'nt think that would cause any vibrations. maybe your tires. some times a belt within the tire comes loose and causes vibration ballancing will not help this.

Answer 4

Wheel Alignment they might not have tightened them enough or did it wrong. Tire rotation they probably just need to be balanced corrctly, take your car to wal mart they are cheap and do a really good job.

Answer 5

Take it to the auto shop, one that is ligit and get the staff to fix it, I feel that it is your tire balance but it may be another. you best bet is to bring it to the shop and tell them the symptoms. You could put the car on jacks check the bearings, take the tires of shake them to see if you got a rock in the tire, check to make sure the counter balances didnt fall off.... take it to the shop.


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Answer 6

more than likely your tires need balanced, have the front ones balanced and then they can tell if you have a bent wheel.

Answer 7

could be tire balance, could be belt has shifted in tire.pressure differential in tires.