Subaru Outback Steering SHUDDERs

2003 Subaru Outback, 85,000 miles, 4 cyl. engine, auto trans.

The steering has started to shudder on low speed left turns. I jacked it up and everything looks tight. Has anyone had this problem before?

Thank you.

 

Could be numerous things. Things you probably would not see visually.

1. Out of balance tires

2. Bad wheel bearing

3. Bad brakes (rotors,pads)

4. Damaged CV joints/axles

5. Worn steering linkage

Those are the most likely causes of steering shutter. In order of most possibility.

Is this shuddering coming up through the steering wheel?

 

Mark - Thanks for the reply.

I put the car up on jack stands today with the front end hanging free. The entire steering linkage, ball joints, tie rod connections at wheels and at steering rack, - everthing all looks tight. The steering shaft down from the firewall to the rack has 2 u-joints and they are both tight.

Both front wheels spin straight, no bearing noise. The pads have good meat still left on them.

The tires have a good amount of tread left with the wear indicators OK, but tomorow I'm going to check if the tires are not out of round - your reply reminded me of another car I had and the belt had shifted in the tire.
Also I do not know if the tire needs to be balnced but I'll get it checked.

What puzzles me most is that it only happens on left turns. I'll keep you posted

 

I don't feel it in the steering wheel, no wobble or anything lke that. It is a shuddering noise on left turns, doesn't happen all the time but is getting more frequent and all the cars occupants can hear it.

 

If you do not feel it in the steering wheel, it is less likely it is your brakes or tires.

It now could be bad tie-rods or ball joints.

To test tie rods- jack up front end of car again. Put your hand on the 9 and 3 o clock position, push and pull, if you have any movement, then you have bad tie rods.

To test bearings, do the same thing, but with hands on 12 and 6.

 

I double checked everthing and all was tight, bearings feel good - not too tight or too loose. I noticed as the outside air temp warmed up that the noise was less frequent.
I decicided to see an old friend who has a repair shop. He drove the car and told me that me 2001 car with 86,000 miles has old fluid in the steering system and is reacting to the single digit temps we were having.
He said I could drain some of the fluid out, but that I shouldn't waste my money looking to change any parts when they all check out fine. As the ambient temp around here has gone into the high teens the noise hasn't returned, the last time being last Thursday (a week ago).
I know the manufacturers tell us that the fluid should last the life of the car but its Dexron and probably should be replaced - which i'm going to do soon.
Thanks for your help and I hope this info is useful to others.