New center diff comes with new steering problem

It's been a few weeks since I had my center diff and tires replaced to the tune of $1,600 on my 1999 Forester L. Ever since I brought it home, there has been a very slight wobble in the steering, especially at slow speeds. I noticed the power-steering fluid was low. I replenished and that helped, but did not solve the problem it completely so I will be headed back to the dealer next week. But if anyone has any ideas before then...

Reply to
Rob1066
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WHEEL BALANCE!!!!! I had to go back a couple times for them to get it right. Thats the cheapest thing to try first. Shouldve had the 7 yr 100k warranty !!!!!!

Reply to
bigjim

In addition... Last night it dipped down to 10 degrees and the problem was much more pronounced, almost to the point where it was undriveable without a lot of effort to keep the wheel straight (and no, there was no ice on the roads.)

Reply to
Rob1066

Not ruling out the center diff, but it sounds like a bad tire to me - particularly the low speed thing where balance isn't important. I recently got a new truck at work and it shook like a bowl of jello when I hit any irregularity - like a pavement patch - at highway speeds. They replaced the tires and it was fixed, much to my surprise.

If you are ambitious you can rotate the tires front/back and see if it changes; if so, definitely a tire.

Mike

Reply to
Michael Pardee

Some inexpensive tires "freeze up" in cold temps and sidewalls are not flexible. I replaced the Bridgestones (loved them but wore out) with Kumho KH18's . Kumhos grip well in rain snow but in cold temps it takes a couple miles for vibration to stop. Same thimg happened with pep boy tires I put on my trooper- never happened with oe bridgestones and replacement michelins. What tires did you get?

Reply to
bigjim

My new tires are Kumho 795s

Reply to
Rob1066

I would have the balancing redone at a good shop. My kumhos were tough to get balanced right. That is easier than going back and paying more money to dealer

Reply to
bigjim

I would have the balancing redone at a good shop. My kumhos were tough to get balanced right. That is easier than going back and paying more money to dealer

Reply to
bigjim

I would have the balancing redone at a good shop. My kumhos were tough to get balanced right. That is easier than going back and paying more money to dealer

Reply to
bigjim

But if the balancing is the problem, I think the wobble would follow a pattern. This is random. The best way I can describe it is that it feels as if the power steering is engaging and then letting go. The wheel goes from tight to loose, almost as if the steering were geared and one of the teeth in the gears has been knocked out, if that makes sense.

Reply to
Rob1066

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