Steering Wheel Vibration

mk5tdi

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Location
Scottsdale,AZ
TDI
2010 Jetta TDI/2011 JSW
Question - I've noticed some very faint steering wheel vibration around 30mph under moderate braking. Of course the car doesn't do it all the time. It's a 2010 sedan with 38k miles. When i looked at the pads on the brakes they look like they had plenty of life left (38k on the car and no warning lights). Tires have enough tread and are properly inflated. When I slowly pulled the emergency brake at 30mph I didn't seem to notice the problem (or maybe it was one of those times where the car didn't do it). Any ideas? I'm very gentle on my car, haven't hit any potholes (thank you Arizona roads) and am really dumbfounded on this one...
 

maybe368

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2014
Location
Phoenix
TDI
Happily none
Question - I've noticed some very faint steering wheel vibration around 30mph under moderate braking. Of course the car doesn't do it all the time. It's a 2010 sedan with 38k miles. When i looked at the pads on the brakes they look like they had plenty of life left (38k on the car and no warning lights). Tires have enough tread and are properly inflated. When I slowly pulled the emergency brake at 30mph I didn't seem to notice the problem (or maybe it was one of those times where the car didn't do it). Any ideas? I'm very gentle on my car, haven't hit any potholes (thank you Arizona roads) and am really dumbfounded on this one...

Does it go away after 30? If so it may be a tire balance problem, maybe you threw a weight...Mark
 

binky973

Veteran Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Location
canada
TDI
2002 jetta
you won't normally feel off balance at 30. if it's only when braking your discs need to be turned... happens
 

binky973

Veteran Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Location
canada
TDI
2002 jetta
You won't normally feel warped rotors at just a certain speed...Mark
read his original post, he says he feels it under moderate braking
also, if the discs are warped enough they will "hit" off of the pads and can cause a vibration at any speed depending on the warpage.
 
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maybe368

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Joined
Apr 30, 2014
Location
Phoenix
TDI
Happily none
read his original post, he says he feels it under moderate braking
also, if the discs are warped enough they will "hit" off of the pads and can cause a vibration at any speed depending on the warpage.
You read the post, he said at 30 mph. I am not going to argue with you. I know it is rare to happen at such slow speeds, but imbalance is a possibility, as is warpage. If the problem comes and goes at 30 mph, balance is the likely problem, that is why I asked if it goes away.You have a nice day...Mark
 

binky973

Veteran Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Location
canada
TDI
2002 jetta
i read it, but if it were an imbalance it would be present all the time at the speed that it presents, it wouldn't go away, a slightly warped disc can change as it heats and cools so the vibration can come and go and also present at different speeds. i'm not arguing with you, i'm trying to inform you, i have been a mechanic for 18 years, alignment and front end specialist... i KNOW what i'm talking about, an imbalance would ALWAYS be present, not go away and not while braking
 

maybe368

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Joined
Apr 30, 2014
Location
Phoenix
TDI
Happily none
i read it, but if it were an imbalance it would be present all the time at the speed that it presents, it wouldn't go away, a slightly warped disc can change as it heats and cools so the vibration can come and go and also present at different speeds. i'm not arguing with you, i'm trying to inform you, i have been a mechanic for 18 years, alignment and front end specialist... i KNOW what i'm talking about, an imbalance would ALWAYS be present, not go away and not while braking
Well Binky, we will have to disagree on that one. Tire imbalance is a vibration almost always between certain speeds, usually highway speeds. There are many other things that could cause it. Don't blow a pop off valve man, life is too short. Whenever somebody says always or never, it raises suspicion of accuracy. I don't mind being informed, but I usually (notice that I didn't say always) want accurate information. I have you beat on the mechanic thing too. I have been wrenching for around 42 years or so. Have a beer and have a good weekend...Mark
 

maybe368

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2014
Location
Phoenix
TDI
Happily none
No worries man. That is why I asked him if it goes away at higher speeds. He hasn't chimed back in, so we don't know until he does...Mark Did you delete your post?
 
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