Yawing problem?
 

Within about the last week or so I've noticed that my 2001 Hyundai
Accent GL is rocking from side to side, in a sort of yawing motion.
This only happens at low speeds, less the 20 mph. Now when I'm driving
and I release the steering wheel, the car goes perfectly straight
(assuming a level surface), so I'm assuming my wheel alignment is OK.
My tire pressures are ok. And I had the tires rotated 3k miles ago.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be, or what to do. Maybe
it's no big deal but it's annoying in stop and go traffic (in other
words twice a day).

Kevin

Re: Yawing problem?
 

kcw wrote:
> Within about the last week or so I've noticed that my 2001 Hyundai
> Accent GL is rocking from side to side, in a sort of yawing motion.
> This only happens at low speeds, less the 20 mph. Now when I'm driving
> and I release the steering wheel, the car goes perfectly straight
> (assuming a level surface), so I'm assuming my wheel alignment is OK.
> My tire pressures are ok. And I had the tires rotated 3k miles ago.

My guess: Bad tire. Have the tires looked at pronto...

Jim

Re: Yawing problem?
 

On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 14:21:42 GMT, kcw <kevin575@juno.com> wrote:

>Within about the last week or so I've noticed that my 2001 Hyundai
>Accent GL is rocking from side to side, in a sort of yawing motion.
>This only happens at low speeds, less the 20 mph. Now when I'm driving
>and I release the steering wheel, the car goes perfectly straight
>(assuming a level surface), so I'm assuming my wheel alignment is OK.
>My tire pressures are ok. And I had the tires rotated 3k miles ago.
>
>Does anyone have any idea what this could be, or what to do. Maybe
>it's no big deal but it's annoying in stop and go traffic (in other
>words twice a day).
>
>Kevin
>=============================

Had a bad tire that caused that sideways bobble on an old Merc.
The tire tread wasn't vulcanized straight on the tire carcass. Or it
was a bad tread. As the tread wore down, it became more and more
'offset'. Got to the point when I pulled up to a stop light, the whole
front end wobbled as if someone was pushing sideways on the front
fender. No problem at higher speeds.
Just to be sure, jack up the tire and spin it . Should be easy to
spot. Cure is another tire.

S25

Re: Yawing problem?
 

On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 14:21:42 GMT, kcw <kevin575@juno.com> wrote:

>Within about the last week or so I've noticed that my 2001 Hyundai
>Accent GL is rocking from side to side, in a sort of yawing motion.
>This only happens at low speeds, less the 20 mph. Now when I'm driving
>and I release the steering wheel, the car goes perfectly straight
>(assuming a level surface), so I'm assuming my wheel alignment is OK.
>My tire pressures are ok. And I had the tires rotated 3k miles ago.
>
>Does anyone have any idea what this could be, or what to do. Maybe
>it's no big deal but it's annoying in stop and go traffic (in other
>words twice a day).

**Back when I had an old Chevy Lumina, I noticed a yawing motion in
the rear while out running errands one day. Visually, I didn't see
anything wrong with the tire. I kept a close eye on it anyway and
almost two weeks had passed when I noticed the tire seemed to lose a
little air. I cleaned the tire when I got home (live on a dirt road)
and moved it around until I found the culprit: A nail. Got it patched
and the car was fine.

kaboomie

Re: Yawing problem? Sorry this took so long, but thanks
 

On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 21:12:50 GMT, S25 <seahorse25@no.net> wrote:

>On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 14:21:42 GMT, kcw <kevin575@juno.com> wrote:
>
>>Within about the last week or so I've noticed that my 2001 Hyundai
>>Accent GL is rocking from side to side, in a sort of yawing motion.
>>This only happens at low speeds, less the 20 mph. Now when I'm driving
>>and I release the steering wheel, the car goes perfectly straight
>>(assuming a level surface), so I'm assuming my wheel alignment is OK.
>>My tire pressures are ok. And I had the tires rotated 3k miles ago.
>>
>>Does anyone have any idea what this could be, or what to do. Maybe
>>it's no big deal but it's annoying in stop and go traffic (in other
>>words twice a day).
>>
>>Kevin
>>=============================
>
> Had a bad tire that caused that sideways bobble on an old Merc.
>The tire tread wasn't vulcanized straight on the tire carcass. Or it
>was a bad tread. As the tread wore down, it became more and more
>'offset'. Got to the point when I pulled up to a stop light, the whole
>front end wobbled as if someone was pushing sideways on the front
>fender. No problem at higher speeds.
> Just to be sure, jack up the tire and spin it . Should be easy to
>spot. Cure is another tire.
>
> S25
Thanks for the responses. I checked the tires, and didn't see anything
wrong. BUt then I didn't know what I was looking for. I took it to the
dealer (they've ben very good to me service wise, so I give them
business when it's realtively reasonable), explained what was
happening. He told me it sounded like I slipped a belt. Sure enough he
pointed out a bulge the other tires didn't have, replaced the tire,
and it's riding beautifully now.

Thanks for all the responses.

Kevin