Steering wheel oscillations / vibrations / whilst driving

Make: Alfa Romeo
Model: 159 Factory Service Manual
Year: 2005–2011
Section: Steering – vehicle behaviour › Steering wheel oscillations / vibrations / whilst driving

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Fault diagnosisSteering wheel oscillations / vibrations / whilst driving

STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS / VIBRATIONS / WHILST DRIVING

There are rapid oscillations in the steering on a straight road at speed

0	PRELIMINARY CHECKS	ALL OK	PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED	ACTION
	First of all, check that the tyres are the correct type, in good condition and correctly inflated. Also check that the wheel bolts are correctly tightened.	Move on to Step 1	1. Tyre inflation pressure not correct.	1. Restore the correct tyre inflation pressure
			2. Tyres unsuitable or worn	2. Replace the tyres
			3. Wheel bolts not correctly tightened.	3. Tighten the wheel studs correctly.
1	WHEEL CHECK	ALL OK	PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED	ACTION
	Check: That the wheels are correctly balanced. The condition of the wheel rims (they should have dents or be distorted).	Move on to Step 2	1. Wheels not balanced.	1. Balance the wheels correctly.
		Move on to Step 2	2. Wheel rims dented or distorted.	2. Replace the wheel rims.
2	ENGINE FLEXIBLE MOUNTINGS CHECK	ALL OK	PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED	ACTION
	Check the condition and the centering of the engine frame, the engine flexible mountings and the engine side and gearbox side connecting rods.	Move on to Step 3	1. Engine flexible mountings faulty.	1. Adjust the fastenings: loosen the bolts, centre them in their housings and tighten them to the recommended torque, see Assembly Op. 1008A POWER UNIT FASTENINGS
			2. Engine side and gearbox side connecting rods faulty.	2. Adjust the fastenings: loosen the bolts, centre them in their housings and tighten them to the recommended torque, see Assembly Op. 1008C POWER UNIT REACTION ELEMENTS
			3. Engine frame faulty.	3. Adjust the fastenings: loosen the bolts, centre them in their housings and tighten them to the recommended torque. Op. 4410D13 FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER - R.R
3	CHECK ON CONDITION OF FLEXIBLE MOUNTINGS AND BUSHES	ALL OK	PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED	ACTION
	Check the condition of the bushes and flexible mountings. In order: ball joints for steering box rods; bushes for upper and lower track control arms; flexible mountings for anti-roll bar.	Move on to Step 4	1. Steering box rod ball joints worn or damaged.	1. Replace the rods Op. 4110B10 STEERING LINKS - R+R ON VEHICLE - CHECK TOE-IN/TOE-OUT SEPARATELY
			2. Bushes for upper or lower arms worn or damaged	2. Replace the upper track control arms Op. 4410B72 FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER WISHBONES (LH AND RH) - R R - CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT SEPARATELY or the lower track control arms Op. 4410B43 LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARMS (WITH BALLJOINTS) FOR FRONT SUSPENSION (LEFT AND RIGHT) - R.R. - CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT SEPARATELY
			3. Anti-roll bar mountings.	3. Replace the flexible mountings for anti-roll bar Op. 4410C16 FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR JOINT BUSHES - REPLACE
4	SPRING SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY CHECK	ALL OK	PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED	ACTION
	Check: the condition of the shock absorbers and the springs and that they are working efficiently; the fastenings of the spring/shock absorber assembly.	Move on to Step 5	1. Tightening not correct.	1. Renew the correct fastening.
			2. Shock absorbers not working properly.	2. Replace the shock absorber involved Op. 4410A12 FRONT SUSPENSION DAMPER (ONE), LH OR RH - FOR MCPHERSON STRUT SYSTEM - INCLUDES DISMANTLING/REASSEMBLY OF ASSEMBLY AT BENCH - R.R
			3. Springs not working properly.	3. Replace the spring involved Op. 4410A12 FRONT SUSPENSION DAMPER (ONE), LH OR RH - FOR MCPHERSON STRUT SYSTEM - INCLUDES DISMANTLING/REASSEMBLY OF ASSEMBLY AT BENCH - R.R
5	STEERING RODS AND ARMS CHECK	ALL OK	PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED	ACTION
	Check the condition of the steering rods and arms.	Move on to Step 6	1. Rods damaged or worn.	1. Replace the rods Op. 4110B10 STEERING LINKS - R+R ON VEHICLE - CHECK TOE-IN/TOE-OUT SEPARATELY
	Check the condition of the steering rods and arms.	Move on to Step 6	2. Arms damaged or worn.	2. Replace the steering box Op. 4130A10 POWER STEERING BOX - R+R
6	INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DAMPER CHECK	ALL OK	PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED	ACTION
	Check that the intermediate shaft torsion damper is working properly.	Move on to Step 7	Torsion damper not working properly.	Replace the intermediate shaft Op. 4110A46 INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FOR CONNECTION TO STEERING BOX - R.R
7	CHECK STEERING COLUMN BEARINGS	ALL OK	PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED	ACTION
	Check the condition of the steering column supports and that they are working properly.	End of diagnosis	Bearings worn or damaged	Restore the efficiency of the steering column. If necessary, replace the bearings involved Op. 4110A31 SUPPORT WITH STEERING CONTROL SHAFTS - R.R. FOR VERSIONS WITH AIR BAG

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Parts & tools for this job For 2005 Alfa Romeo 159

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