Man is there something wrong with 4th gen steering system design. I always get steering wheel vibrations on my stock rims no matter how many times I balnce them. My dad's Si also has this problem. The steering wheel just bounces back and forth in very short intervals. Usually when the tires warm up it gets better but still anoying. I've driven many other cars and even when cold non have such vibrations accept honda's.
Does anyone else have this problem? What about those of you who have aftermarket rims?
They seem to have fixed this in 98 models. My mom has a 98 Accord, and the steering wheel is very solid. With a good wheel balance it is very smooth. I noticed that all the steering components are designed differently and seem to be more solid in that car.
I don't think there is a flaw with the steering system, I just think that both you and your dad have rotors that need to be resurfaced. It sounds like your rotors are warped and if you can have them cut on a lathe and still be within factory spec (thickness of the rotor) then that would take care of the problem.
If it will be out of spec then you must replace the rotors. I'm almost certain this is the cause of your vibration while driving.
Mine doesn't do that. A lot of things can cause vibration other than balancing. Worn steering/suspension components, bent rims, bad tires. Sometimes balancing the tires on the car makes a difference too, although I haven't seen a place that does that for a long time.
I have new brembo rotors along with proxes fz4. I'm guessing the hub/spindle (forgot what it's called) is warped. There is a shop that charges like $30 to balance the two tires, they have the most advanced machine, it even tells them how to position the tire on the rim. I had it done once and it was much better than a regular balance. But when the car is cold there are still vibrations. Maybe I'm too sensitive.
I also have all new ball joints, inner and outer tie-rod ends replaced. My rims were never curbed, I even tried swapping rims from my dad's si.
Last edited by vtecprelude; 12-06-2002 at 10:33 AM.
My steering wheel vibrates when I'm exiting the ramp off the freeway for example. I went to a honda mechanic and he said exactly what Mark94 said..the rotors need to be resurfaced. Labor for that from dealership would be $140.00
Warped rotors have nothing to do with steering wheel vibrations other than when you are breaking. My steering wheel vibrats even if I don't break. Although I did exchange one set of rotors because I would get steering wheel vibrations every time I was breaking but the second set of rotors did the same thing. I just can't imagine what else could be wrong. I bought my rotors from raceconcepts.groupbuy.
Originally posted by vtecprelude Warped rotors have nothing to do with steering wheel vibrations other than when you are breaking. My steering wheel vibrats even if I don't break. Although I did exchange one set of rotors because I would get steering wheel vibrations every time I was breaking but the second set of rotors did the same thing. I just can't imagine what else could be wrong. I bought my rotors from raceconcepts.groupbuy.
Did you get them resurfaced before you installed them?
I have steering wheel vibration around 60mph. I think it is from my aftermarket rims/tires. My car didn't have the problem until I put them on. I took it back to the tire store and had them rebalance them and it still does it. I stopped caring. I'll see if the rims/tires are the cause of the problem once I sell my rims and put on some stock ones.
No I am selling the rims because I am parting out my car and selling it. It will probably have the same problem with the other ones. The rims/tires are supposedly balance.
Did you get them resurfaced before you installed them?
They were new and there is no need to resurface them. Since they are cross drilled and slotted nobody will resurface them because they break off cutting bits.
Originally posted by brendon2k I have steering wheel vibration around 60mph. I think it is from my aftermarket rims/tires. My car didn't have the problem until I put them on. I took it back to the tire store and had them rebalance them and it still does it. I stopped caring. I'll see if the rims/tires are the cause of the problem once I sell my rims and put on some stock ones.
Did you have hub centric rings?, it's to center the rims on the hub if needed.
They were new and there is no need to resurface them. Since they are cross drilled and slotted nobody will resurface them because they break off cutting bits.
Of course this is from back in the dark ages but I was taught that new ones should be resurfaced. Maybe that's just old info now.
Of course this is from back in the dark ages but I was taught that new ones should be resurfaced. Maybe that's just old info now.
New brake rotors don't need resurfacing. If you buy a good quality brand usually they are already resurfaced to far better tolorences than what's required. If you are installing a plain rotor, sometimes it helps to have it resurfaced while its on a hub but not necessary. You only need to do this when you get pedal pulsation or steering wheel vibrations while breaking.
I know from now on I'll only be buying a brand name rotor. It's a small investment for a piece of mind.
Several HOnda cars are known to have steering vibrations. THere is even a dealer service bulletin for the Prelude on it. I think it was CV joint related??
Originally posted by yield Several HOnda cars are known to have steering vibrations. THere is even a dealer service bulletin for the Prelude on it. I think it was CV joint related??
Is this something Honda should fix for free?
Does anyone know a website of where it lists all the deffects in the Prelude?
Not really. Sometimes they will pay for the parts but you pay for the labor. In this case, Honda recommends rebalancing the tire, hub, rotor assembly. They used to also replace cv joints and steering assemblies for free for up to 5 years from purchase on a case by case basis.
The one I'd like to see them repair for free is cracked radiators - seems like 1/2 of 4th gens have this problem.
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