Steering actuator vibration

[1994almeida]

2007 VP 5.0 GXi engine.
When starting the engine, the steering actuator sometimes vibrates.
What could be the cause?
Thanks.

 

[alldodge]

The whole motor is shaking, the steering shouldn't be able to do that. The motor has 4 points holding it secure. Look at the motor mounts

 

[flashback]

Wow, if that was a.mercrusier I'd be very careful but don't know anything about a VP.

 

[1994almeida]

If I turn the ignition on 2 or 3 times before starting, and if I push the throttle to the maximum 2 or 3 times before starting, the steering vibration does not appear.
What is the relationship between fuel pressure and steering?

 

[1994almeida]

its OK

 

[Lou C]

That's interesing!
What may be happening is that when it starts in the first vid the engine is running rough shaking side to side, that might be causing the steering arm to move in the transom assembly which via the steering cable would move the shuttle valve in the steering actuator causing the side to side movement. Might be more of a fuel system issue than steering per se.

 

[alldodge]

My point is doesn't matter if its the motor making it shake or the steering, it should not shake that much

 

[Lou C]

that shaking has been reported on a few Volvos, don't know what the actual cause was, I never had it on my old Cobra even with a worn out leaky steering actuator that I replaced last year. The older Bendix style ones were adjustable, just like the old units on the Corvette & Ford unibody vehicles from the 60s and 70s. The new ones, are not from what I can determine. Maybe some of them are just too sensitive to any input from the steering arm.
Bendix style actuator:


In the pic of the one I removed below, there is a cap at the end of the actual pressure valve that comes off and you can adjust the centering force on the shuttle valve. Just below the metal hydraulic lines....

 

[cptbill]

Sounds to me like there is air trapped in the system or getting into it some how. Does it go away after it runs for a few minutes?

 

[1994almeida]

I think what makes the steering actuator moves is the engine shaking during start-up.
If I start the engine again, right away, it starts normally without any vibration in the engine and in the steering actuator. It could be more of a fuel system issue than the steering itself.

 

[briangcc]

Late to the party but my '05 5.0L GXI did that. Took it in and marina did a tuneup on it - plugs, wires, cap, etc. Problem was fixed.

If you haven't done those parts yet, I'd look into it.

Low fuel pressure on my '05 caused a high pitched whine that was very cyclic. You couldn't keep the engine running, constantly having to restart it. That was a $1k (installed) repair bill as the fuel pump was NOT rebuildable.