New center diff comes with new steering problem

[Rob1066]

It's been a few weeks since I had my center diff and tires replaced to
the tune of $1,600 on my 1999 Forester L. Ever since I brought it home,
there has been a very slight wobble in the steering, especially at slow
speeds. I noticed the power-steering fluid was low. I replenished and
that helped, but did not solve the problem it completely so I will be
headed back to the dealer next week. But if anyone has any ideas before
then...

 

[bigjim]

WHEEL BALANCE!!!!! I had to go back a couple times for them to get it
right. Thats the cheapest thing to try first.
Shouldve had the 7 yr 100k warranty !!!!!!

 

[Rob1066]

In addition...
Last night it dipped down to 10 degrees and the problem was much more
pronounced, almost to the point where it was undriveable without a lot
of effort to keep the wheel straight (and no, there was no ice on the
roads.)

 

[Michael Pardee]

It's been a few weeks since I had my center diff and tires replaced to
the tune of $1,600 on my 1999 Forester L. Ever since I brought it home,
there has been a very slight wobble in the steering, especially at slow
speeds. I noticed the power-steering fluid was low. I replenished and
that helped, but did not solve the problem it completely so I will be
headed back to the dealer next week. But if anyone has any ideas before
then...

Not ruling out the center diff, but it sounds like a bad tire to me -
particularly the low speed thing where balance isn't important. I recently
got a new truck at work and it shook like a bowl of jello when I hit any
irregularity - like a pavement patch - at highway speeds. They replaced the
tires and it was fixed, much to my surprise.

If you are ambitious you can rotate the tires front/back and see if it
changes; if so, definitely a tire.

Mike

 

[bigjim]

Some inexpensive tires "freeze up" in cold temps and sidewalls are not
flexible. I replaced the Bridgestones (loved them but wore out) with
Kumho KH18's . Kumhos grip well in rain snow but in cold temps it takes
a couple miles for vibration to stop. Same thimg happened with pep boy
tires I put on my trooper- never happened with oe bridgestones and
replacement michelins.
What tires did you get?

 

[Rob1066]

My new tires are Kumho 795s

 

[bigjim]

I would have the balancing redone at a good shop. My kumhos were tough
to get balanced right. That is easier than going back and paying more
money to dealer

 

[bigjim]

I would have the balancing redone at a good shop. My kumhos were tough
to get balanced right. That is easier than going back and paying more
money to dealer

 

[bigjim]

I would have the balancing redone at a good shop. My kumhos were tough
to get balanced right. That is easier than going back and paying more
money to dealer

 

[Rob1066]

But if the balancing is the problem, I think the wobble would follow a
pattern. This is random. The best way I can describe it is that it
feels as if the power steering is engaging and then letting go. The
wheel goes from tight to loose, almost as if the steering were geared
and one of the teeth in the gears has been knocked out, if that makes
sense.