vibration.
 

I have a 1989 240 GLT estate and recently I have noticed a slight vibration wobbly feel in the steering under 30mph in the steering wheel. Its like the wheels are buckled or slightly loose. I plan to check the wheel nut tightness and wondered what else it could be? The tyres are 4-5 year old Michelin energy savers.
Car has done 210,700 miles.

James:thumbs_up:

I found the wheel nuts needed a part turn to tighten them up and it hasn't made any difference. Still vibration. The tracking and balancing was done about 5 months ago. Does it need doing regular?

Any ideas?

James:thumbs_up:

Check:
Bushes, Inner and outer tie rod ends, Ball joints.
I'd start with a pry bar on the bushes, If you have a doubt when suspension bushes were changed, I'd have a go at those first.

Inner tie rod ends and outers may have been picked up when you had tracking done.

Best bet get the front end up in the air and go at various bits with the bar. Itll give you an idea where the slack is.
Resonance at that speed normally is slack bushes...

Yeh, as^^^ . Had a simalar issue recently James. Tho mine was on braking.

I lifted the front to find both wheels very wobbly .

I thought wheel bearings and bought a pair.

Then as my mobile mec was doing a CV joint on my 850 he took a look.

He tightened the bearing a little, but Condemned the track rods inner and outer.

Now I'd done the outer ones in about 2008. I got GSF ones only about 8 quid a pop. They lasted the best part of 50k miles. So not complaining. AFAIK the inners were original.

This time I got them from PFV all parts were Professional Parts Sweden. Time will tell how they last. All good now tho'.

Tracking will be required after👍

Thank you both.:thumbs_up:

I'll have to as said jack the front up and test each joint. The ball joints/ track rod ends have been replaced in my ownership by genuine Volvo parts, but will look for play.

James:thumbs_up:

Only had a quick look as busy but on a general observation can see cracking on these bushes in the first picture on both sides. The bush top and bottom has cracking. What are these bushes called and are they easy to change, thinking poly bushing them?
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...pswpln7ueu.jpg
The track rod ends look ok and tried giving them a tug. These have been replaced over the last 2-3 years with genuine Volvo.
The tyre pressures were low on one front tyre, only 23psi so re-inflated them. Also put the spare on, as the front passenger side front tyre was scrubbed on the outer edge.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...psxhijkaff.jpg
Also noticed the triangular metal part like a wishbone that connects everything together has 2 bushings the front looks cracked on both sides. What are these bushes called and is it easy to replace in polybush?
I think as funds allow rebush the front and be done with it along with 4 new Michelin tyres.

Thanks James:thumbs_up:

I couldnt make out what you were on about, If theyre the same as the 700 series, they may be 'spaceship' type bushes, they cause a judder and significant pulling when worn. The anti roll bushes if goosed give a knock or a potential wallow on cornering... Wallowing on cornering is about the norm with the 200/700/900's

Looking to know what the part these bushes are attached too in the first picture so I can order and replace the cracked bushes.

James:thumbs_up:

They are the drop links. You can buy them ready to fit but if the bottom bush is OK you should be able to get poly for the top ones. Will make the handling a bit more precise but they don't do much when driving in a straight line. Wallowing probably down to your bad tyre and low pressures. Vibration hard to pin down if there is no obvious bad wear anywhere.

Thanks Derek,

I will phone FRF as soon as I can and order some, thinking complete as both top and bottom bush are worn on the droplinks. Is it just a bolt on/off job?
The vibration was a big improvement after inflating the tyres to a decent pressure and changing the tyre. Think I will install new droplinks then new tyres, and rebalance and alignment again.
Rather busy setting up self employment doing plumbing and property maintenance. Today, being my first day.

Thanks James.:thumbs_up: