Skoda-Octavia (2.0 Petrol) - Steering Wobbling

[dibbasu]

Hi,

I have a Skoda-Octavia (2.0 Petrol); the car is about 4 years old. I have done 50 K servicing recently and immediately before that the tie-rod of my right-front wheel was bent. This was replaced by the dealer. Post which I have done a complete wheel alignment check and found everything was perfect until recently I figured out that while doing high-speed > 100 KMPH the steering wobbles. My A.S.S adviced me to change the complete steering column which will cost atleast 45 K. Just wanted to know if this is due to the steering or some problem in suspension. Just FYI when my tie-rod was bent steering was shaking vigorously while I was driving to my A.S.S.

Please help.

Thanks and Regards
dibbasu

[vikram_d]

Check wheel balancing. This is the most common culprit for high speed steering wobble.

[ajmat]

Sounds like you hit a big pothole. Since the wobbling happens at a particular speed, have you tried wheel balancing ? Might be worth spending Rs 1000 rather than 10's of thousands!

[PatienceWins]

It seems like wheel balancing issue. Get the balancing done.

[dibbasu]

Thanks to all of you. I will get the balancing done and let you alll know the result.

[Xehaust]

Also happens when your tyres need changing if they are wornt out or very old (say 3 yrs or more).

Happened to my Astra when i went over 70. It happens at different speeds with different cars and different circumstances. Got the tyres changed and its perfect.
(Dint know much about cars at that time )

EDIT: Have your tyres been changed since you bought your car?

[iraghava]

Also while getting the balancing done ask the dealer to also check the tyres & to ensure that none of them have any sidewall bulges in them especially the wheel which took the impact which led to the bent tie-rod.

In all probability whatever caused the tie-rod to bend might also ahve caused a sidewall bulge leading to balancing issues at high-speeds.

[Ramesh75]

45K is too much for steering column. The price is for steering column alone or steering column with rack?

[dinu2506]

I too believe it could be either due to
1) Wheel balancing
2) One of the tyres might be having a bulge

[spadival]

Originally Posted by dibbasu

Post which I have done a complete wheel alignment check and found everything was perfect until recently I figured out that while doing high-speed > 100 KMPH the steering wobbles. My A.S.S adviced me to change the complete steering column which will cost atleast 45 K.

Didnt you get the wheel balancing done along with the wheel alignment check? You can get it done at an independent tyre shop rather than the A.S.S. Sounds like your A.S.S is trying to pull a fast one on you.

[nicejits]

Wheel balancing my friend balancing , Get it chked

[dibbasu]

Hi,

Got the balancing done; the problem has reduced a bit. But it still exists. Worst part is when the car is not running or steering lock position when I push a steering wheel a little then I can feel some sound like something has been broken inside the column. Any clue?

[shuvc]

How did the tie rod get bent?
@razor4077 had a 2.0 octy in his family. IIRC he had also mentioned that the steering was wobbly above 120. He might be able to give some inputs.

[dibbasu]

I was hit by a rail fish-plate which was on the road. But it was changed.

[JayD]

Check the wheel rim for any bends. Or is it done while balancing??