steering wheel judder

[pickle2000]

I have a MK1 nova and the standard calipers seized up a while ago. The steering wheel juddered quite violently under braking, until they finally siezed.

I have now put on second hand astra 16v disks (256mm), pads and calipers. Sometimes I get a strange - only slight - judder through the steering wheel. The problem is that this time it doesn't do it under braking all the time. Sometimes its just when I am driving - then it will just dissapear, judder for a bit then stop and not return. It generally does it after a couple of mins after leaving the house.
Under braking the car is a lot sharper, but it somehow feels 'strange'. Hard to explain, but sometimes the steering wheel will judder a bit (not strongly) - other times it won't judder at all.

Does anyone know what this could be.....?
Warped discs, unbalanced calipers, ? Would it be something that I could check out or would it be more sensible to get a garge to check them out for me (I know virtually nothing about mechanics..)?

Cheers
Pickle

[DUNOVA.]

Have you got a rapid fit where you live?????they do free brake safety tests

[pickle2000]

Don't think so - got a quick fit near me..... could take it there for them to have a look at. I will drive past and see if they offer free brake checks....

Any other opinions on whats wrong?

[DUNOVA.]

Just ask them if they can stick it on the rollers

[Jim]

Might be that your tracking is out? Like the guys said, take it to a garage and get them to take a look at it.

Jim

[Stuart]

get your wheels balanced if its only a mild vibration (should be free/cheap)


if its not that i could look for you but im busy lol

[ade]

if judders through braking it'll either be warped or uneven brake discs/shoes

If it judders when driving - about 40 to 60 - it'll be either tracking, wheel balancing or trackrod ends/steering rack wear.

Mine used to judder when track rod was knackered - and still does after being changed.

It can also be caused if the cars been lowered and the cambers out, or if the wheels are not the right offset

Ade

[ade]

oh - and it could be worn shocks/suspension mounts, bushes etc...

[pickle2000]

Cheers ade.... Sounds like it could be a number of things....
It has been lowered 60mm, and is running 15" wheels (ET49). I haven't done any camber correction, nor changed the bushes or top mounts.

It does judder about 40-60mph, but only for about the first 5 mins. Then it stops and doesn't do it again. It only does judders under braking - but not everytime... only sometimes.

I will take it into a garage though asap so that they can check it out - hopefully it will just be a simple thing to sort out.... :roll:
Hopefully just need to get the wheels rebalanced.....

Cheers guys
Pickle.

NB. I have asked this before but..... since I have lowered it -60mm and the suspension is now v. hard will this be causing damage to the car in any way (top mounts, trackrods, etc)?