Topic: Wobble on smooth road at low speed

[NikWilk]

Hi guys, this is my first post.
Am experienceing a wobble through the steering wheel when driving on smooth roads at a low speed.  It has been suggested to me that this could be a distorted tyre?   Can anyone confirm whether this is likely or what the problem could be.
Thanks

[capriracer]

There are a number of things it could be:  Tires, wheels, hubs, etc.

So first step in the diagnosis would be to rotate tires front to rear.  If the problem goes away (or moves to the back), then it is tires and/or wheels.  If the problem stays, it is something in the vehicle.

[quadzilla]

Hit any curbs lately?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

How old is the car and what's the mileage? Could be a lot of things. Worn bushings on a pitman arm or toe-link could do it.

[Fobroader]

How old is the car and what's the mileage? Could be a lot of things. Worn bushings on a pitman arm or toe-link could do it.

This....I can think of a dozen things that could cause this.

[Noto]

I'm guessing it's just an unbalanced tire.  $40 fix at your local Canadian Tire.

[tooscoops]

too hard to diagnose... pull it up to the computer so we can get a better look.....

better to get a shop to take a look... most likely balance, but could be a number of things... hell, could just be snow build up in a wheel.

[tortoise]

Did it start recently for no reason? If so, look for ice buildup in the wheels.  If you see some take it to a wand car wash place and blast it off.

[HeliDriver]

Judging by his odd spelling of tire, and the even odder vehicles in his fleet, I'm thinking he doesn't see a lot of snow in his driving. Well, maybe he lives on top of a mountain in Scotland. Guess you never know.

[Guy]

A Maverick? Must be the only one in running condition. 

[HeliDriver]

^^ I'm betting it's just a Ford Escape with a different name.

[EV Dan]

Hi guys, this is my first post.

Nope. It's not.
Check if all four wheels (or as many as there are on a Maverick) are mounted flat against the hubs with no gaps in between. If something gets stuck there when the wheels are mounted then they can literally wobble. Otherwise it could be an out of shape tire.

[rrocket]

Do you have snow where you life?  If yes, sometimes snow/slush gets stuck in a wheel and you get a wobble.

[HeliDriver]

In my experience, vibration from an unbalanced wheel (from packed snow or whatever) usually isn't noticeable at "low speed." More like 60-80+ km/h.

[Northernridge]

In my experience, vibration from an unbalanced wheel (from packed snow or whatever) usually isn't noticeable at "low speed." More like 60-80+ km/h.

Same. That happens quite often driving to the cottage when the gravel roads are wet. Sand/gravel builds up on the inside of the wheels, shifts and the wobble starts and gets worse at higher speeds. PIA to hose out later too...half the time it just sloshes around and the problem remains.

[rrocket]

More like 60-80+ km/h.

That's low speed to me.   

[Sir Osis of Liver]

In my experience, vibration from an unbalanced wheel (from packed snow or whatever) usually isn't noticeable at "low speed." More like 60-80+ km/h.

That's what suggests to me bad bushings. Badly unbalanced wheels get worse with speed.