Wobbly steering wheel post-offroad run

Hey guys,

Took the truck up Santa Rosa Truck Trail this weekend. Not a very rough trail but it definitely has its bumpy spots.

Anyways, when I got back to the pavement I noticed my steering wheel wobbles back and forth a bit. Truck seems to track straight though. Anyone have an idea what the culprit could be, or where to start investigating?

Also here's a pic from the run for your entertainment:

 

eesh. check your tie rod ends.

 

Any idea what to look for? There doesn't seem to be anything obviously wrong with them. One is blacker than the other but that's it.

 

What speed is the vibration?

 

Have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth while you are under the truck looking for free play anywhere in the system.

 

Anything greater than say 5mph. Seems to wobble with the same frequency and intensity no matter what.

 

Yea that's what I'm thinking I'll have to do. Just gotta find someone to help out LOL.

 

that would be all you need to do. if they look ok then they probably are.

 

Tie rods will not cause a shake in the steering wheel at any speeds. You have one of 2 problems. Bent wheel or a ply in one of your front tires have broken or shifted. Rotate your tires the wobble will be gone. unless you have a bent wheel in the rear as well !! good luck..

 

Interesting potential solution. It's time for a rotation anyways.

 

For me 95% of the time that is caused by mud, snow, or ice in the wheel causing it to be out of balance. A good cleaning will fix it.

 

Sure is a shame you don't have any local friends

 

I lost some wheel weights one time after about 3 hours of driving offroad, check those man. My steering wheel was shaking on my way back home. All good after rebalancing.

 

That too. Happened to me once.

 

It’s been a common occurrence for me but I also live in a state where mud, snow, and ice are often encountered on and off the road.

 

I was just reading another post and somebody said packed in dirt or mud on the inside of the front wheel. He is correct, I did not think about that.

 

Rotated the wheels. Gonna do a drive test later this afternoon.

 

Ay watch it. I'll put you to work in a heartbeat buckaroo

 

Low speed wobble sounds like something is bent. Rotating is a good idea to narrow it down. It goes away you know it is tire/wheel. It continues, get your wallet out. Something is bent. In that case taking it to have the alignment checked should identify what is bent. Assuming you find a good tech.