Re: The steering wheel moves? Not the car wandering? Just the steering wheel rocking back and forth. The car does not meander while rolling. At slow speed - not over 30 MPH.

Re: Did you check the lower ball joints? Is the steering wheel centered or does it sit off-centre when going straight down the road? Checked; felt no play in them. Yes, steering wheel canted slightly to the right, but it's been that way ever since I had the vehicle.

How about the play in the hubs? Any up and down slop? Or any noise from the hubs while driving? No play in or out, or side-to-side or up & down. No noise from the hubs. (One was replaced a few years back.)

Have you done any front end repairs/replacements in the last year? Installed quick struts about 6 months ago. Sway bar a year before that.

Re: Or the steering rack loosened up big time! Forcing the tire by hand, I don't feel excessive play in the rack.

Re: Did you check the inner and outer tie rod ends? Would this be done with the same test I mentioned immediately above?

 

Check the torque on the three mounting bolts on the hub to the steering knuckles

 

Thank you. Are those supposed to be 85 ft lbs?

I read here on the forum to check the pinch bolt, too.

 

Yes 85 ft lbs and whilst your there check those pinch bolts

See post #6 here

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/brak...dle-nut-22322/

 

My guess. Steering column u-joint.

 

I just have no idea of what could jerk the steering wheel back and forth while the car goes straight.

Play in the steering wheel, and you have to drive like they did in 50's movies, I can see.

 

I had an old Jeep that you had to constantly rock your hands back and forth to keep it straight. (That turned out to be lots of wear in the steering gear box.)

I think you got it, Don. Although the hub bolts were not loose, I checked around and found all 6 LCA bolts to the frame to be varying degrees of loose. One of the tie rods ends (at the steering knuckle) and a pinch bolt were also loose. I had not touched any of those when I changed the struts. (Maybe I should have, eh?)

Anywho, it's 98% better and the steering wheel is also no longer canted to the right while driving.

Thank you again, Don, and to all who responded.

 

Your welcome? I don't see Don suggesting your cure but, that's alright we're a team here!

 

Makes me think maybe I will break out the good 'ol torque wrench and check Greggs underbelly!

 

Hopefully you used a torque wrench and didn't just make a guess.

From the link: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...e-items-54648/

- Front Swaybar bushing brackets : 37 lb ft
- Sway bar endlink bolts: 59 lb ft
- Front knuckle bolt: 89 lb ft
- Lower Control Arm rear bolt: tighten to 100 N•m (74 lb ft), then tighten an additional 180 degrees.
- Lower control arm to frame bolts - 55 N•m (41 lb ft).
- Lower control arm balljoint pinch nut/bolt - first pass: 37 ft/lb, then loosen it 3/4 of a turn - second pass: 37 ft/lb, - then tighten it an addition 30 deg

NOTE: that Rear Lower Control arm bolt needs some real muscle - and a big bar for that 180 degree addition - and it is very awkward to do if you are lying on your back under the car with limited room to move