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1G Steering wheel vibration from stiff engine mounts

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AWD-Tony

Proven Member
6,801
3,735
Sep 11, 2017
Cincinnati, Ohio
I’m sure a lot of you that have stiff engine mounts suffer from steering wheel vibration at idle. It’s more a 1g thing bc my 2g never has this issue. I’m not talking about tire balance or driveline vibration btw. Just wondering if any of you have tried to resolve this? If I push up on the steering wheel it goes away so I’m thinking about putting some rubber as washers to absorb the vibration. Your thoughts???
 
I just take my steering wheel off ......ROFL
I have the same issue Tony, but I just ignore it. It does vibrate my steering wheel and I hadn't thought about rubber insulators of any type. If you give it a try, please let us all know what you think!
 
I just take my steering wheel off ......ROFL
I have the same issue Tony, but I just ignore it. It does vibrate my steering wheel and I hadn't thought about rubber insulators of any type. If you give it a try, please let us all know what you think!

For sure. I've seen video clips of 1g's and they all rattle like a MF LOL. Think I have something that might work. Just hope it's not too thick. I will update if I can fix this.
 
We use large rubber fender washer insulators (and fender washers) on the motorcycle stuff we do and sometimes even use a grommet for insulation.
 
My car does the same thing. It goes away as long as I leave one hand on the wheel, but it always bothers me.

Would appreciate a write up if you figure something out!

Will do
 
I would imagine this is caused by the rear roll-control mount, since that one bolts to the subframe, which also holds the rack. Have you also replaced the subframe bushings? Where would you be mounting additional insulators on the steering system? For the column or the rack? Makes me wonder if this vibration is more likely to loosen any of the steering fasteners, etc., which could definitely cause a serious problem. Although, it sounds so common that others would have reported such issues. Stock-type units of the rear mount are still available (unlike the d/s), I believe, so perhaps swapping back that one for stock could help.
 
I would imagine this is caused by the rear roll-control mount, since that one bolts to the subframe, which also holds the rack. Have you also replaced the subframe bushings? Where would you be mounting additional insulators on the steering system? For the column or the rack? Makes me wonder if this vibration is more likely to loosen any of the steering fasteners, etc., which could definitely cause a serious problem. Although, it sounds so common that others would have reported such issues. Stock-type units of the rear mount are still available (unlike the d/s), I believe, so perhaps swapping back that one for stock could help.

I did replace all the bushing up front but it’s been there since I went to urethane mounts.

Don’t think it’s from where the column mounts to the cross bar. It might be from the adjuster. I’ll have to start it to find exactly why it shakes. Unfortunately I removed the fuel pump which I think is defective and that’s another story.

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Are they OEM engine mounts or poly? I've read that poly mounts tend to lead to vibration. I just replace the subframe, control arm and sway bar bushings with ES poly ones so I wonder if this awaits me. I kept the OEM engine mounts though as they looked like they were in good condition and I wanted to avoid engine vibration.
 
Are they OEM engine mounts or poly? I've read that poly mounts tend to lead to vibration. I just replace the subframe, control arm and sway bar bushings with ES poly ones so I wonder if this awaits me. I kept the OEM engine mounts though as they looked like they were in good condition and I wanted to avoid engine vibration.

Polyurethane. It will 100% vibrate your dash, steering wheel and any other plastic that’s somewhat loose on a 30 year old car
 
Polyurethane. It will 100% vibrate your dash, steering wheel and any other plastic that’s somewhat loose on a 30 year old car

You're referring to the engine mounts, right, not the suspension bushings proper? If so, what made you decide to replace them with poly, instead of just the suspension ones? Do the latter by themselves cause vibrations with the mounts still rubber OEM, or just tighten things up?
 
You're referring to the engine mounts, right, not the suspension bushings proper? If so, what made you decide to replace them with poly, instead of just the suspension ones? Do the latter by themselves cause vibrations with the mounts still rubber OEM, or just tighten things up?

Yes engine mounts. Always liked them on all my performance cars. If you drive any car hard, the engine mounts eventually get weak so I personally like the upgrade. Suspension parts won’t cause vibration when you’re idling. It may cause some squeaks here and there
 
Yes engine mounts. Always liked them on all my performance cars. If you drive any car hard, the engine mounts eventually get weak so I personally like the upgrade. Suspension parts won’t cause vibration when you’re idling. It may cause some squeaks here and there

Thanks. I don't race so no need to replace the mounts, which look good (I've removed and reinstall 3 of them by now). Looking forward to driving my "new" or upgraded Talon with the new suspension/subframe bushings, ball joints, tie rods (inner & outer), connector links, struts, mounts, wheel bearings, clutch, etc., and completely rebuild calipers. Plus it looks SO much nicer, all derusted and painted. Should be just a few more days now.
 
Thanks. I don't race so no need to replace the mounts, which look good (I've removed and reinstall 3 of them by now). Looking forward to driving my "new" or upgraded Talon with the new suspension/subframe bushings, ball joints, tie rods (inner & outer), connector links, struts, mounts, wheel bearings, clutch, etc., and completely rebuild calipers. Plus it looks SO much nicer, all derusted and painted. Should be just a few more days now.

Nice. It will feel much better and also look nicer
 
Update but not an update 😜. I’ve changed my steering to momo which is quite lighter and the vibration isn’t as bad now. I’m guessing that less weight at the end of the steering column lessened the vibration. Before when the steering wheel vibrated, you can also hear it as it shook. It still shake a tiny bit but the noise that came with along with this is no more.

My thoughts…while the column is bolted down in two spots under the dash, it really needs another brace or mounted differently to the dash bar imo, but I ain’t no engineer!
 
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