Feel, Hear, See, Smell: Feel Part 1

• Wandering:
  As you are driving, you notice that you must constantly correct the direction of the car by turning the steering wheel. The problem seems to increase the faster you travel. This problem may occur gradually and get worse over time or it may appear suddenly.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The car is overloaded, or the weight on one side is much greater than the weight on the other side: Even the weight load or remove excess weight from the vehicle.

  2. The wheels are out of alignment: Get a front end or four wheel alignment.

  3. The car's springs are weak: Replace springs.

  4. The steering gear is out of adjustment or needs to be replaced: Adjust or replace steering gear as required.

  5. The front wheel bearings are out of adjustment or are severely worn: Adjust or replace wheel bearings as required.

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• Veering:
  When you are stopped or moving slowly you notice the steering wheel jumps. There may or may not be any other problems and it is getting worse over time.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The power steering belt is loose: Tighten or replace power steering belt.

  2. The fluid level in the power steering pump is low: Fill power steering fluid to proper level.

  3. The engine is idling too low: Adjust idle speed.

  4. There is a problem with the power steering pump: Repair or replace power steering pump.

  5. The steering linkage is rubbing against something: Inspect and repair steering linkage as required.

  6. One or both front tires are out of round: Replace front tire(s).

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• Steering Wheel Vibrates:
  The steering wheel vibrates at speeds of 45 to 60 MPH. You will also notice that the car is vibrating or twitching down the road. This can be a very dangerous problem and should not be ignored. Sometimes the problem only occurs when the brakes are applied.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. Warped or damaged brake rotors and/or drums: Machine or replace brake rotors and/or brake drums.

  2. Loose wheel lug nuts: Tighten wheel lug nuts to specification.

  3. Out-of-balance wheel and tire assemblies: Balance wheel and tires Assemblies.

  4. Loose steering linkage: Repair or replace steering linkage parts as required.

  5. Bent or damaged wheels: Replace wheels.

  6. Severely worn or damaged tires: Replace tires.

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• The Brakes Grab:
  When you lightly step on the brakes, it feels like you pressed it very hard. Sometimes the car will pull to the left or right when this happens, or one or more wheels will lock up. It usually happens suddenly but may get worse over time.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. Parking brake is not releasing: Adjust or repair parking brake.

  2. Brake pads and/or shoes are wet or dirty: Clean or brake pads and/or brake shoes. Replace if required.

  3. The brake pads and/or shoes are severely worn. Replace brake pads and/or brake shoes.

  4. There is a problem with one or more wheel brake units: Replace brake calipers and/or wheel cylinders. Inspect and replace brake master cylinder.

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• The Brake Pedal Vibrates:
  When you step on the brakes you feel a vibration or pulsation. You know something is definitely wrong. If the car has Anti-Lock Brakes this condition is normal if not severe. This indicates normal ABS operation.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. Warped or damaged brake rotors and/or drums: Machine or replace brake rotors and/or brake drums.

  2. Loose wheel lug nuts: Tighten wheel lug nuts to specification.

  3. Out-of-balance wheel and tire assemblies: Balance wheel and tire assemblies.

  4. Loose steering linkage: Repair or replace steering linkage parts as required.

  5. Bent or damaged wheels: Replace wheels.

  6. Severely worn or damaged tires: Replace tires.

  7. Loose or bad front wheel bearings: Replace bad wheel bearings. Repack and retighten loose wheel bearings.

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• The Brakes Drag:
  As you drive it feels like you are pulling a house behind you. In actuality the brakes are partially applied to some extent. You may notice excess heat at the wheel(s) that are dragging and you may notice a burning smell. You may also hear something dragging and feel a pulling.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The disc brake caliper is stuck: Repair or replace brake calipers.

  2. The parking brake is not released: Release parking brake.

  3. A part in the drum brake assembly has broken or come loose: Repair or replace drum brakes as required.

  4. The pads or shoes are rusted to the rotor or drum: Free pads or shoes and replace if required.

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