Weird steering wheel issue.

[mycargoesvroom]

I'm not really sure how to describe it, it's almost like having a rock in the tire or like something is "clicking" (although there is no clicking sound) somewhere in my front end. I can feel it in the steering wheel but only slightly, and also in the gas pedal when cruising. It changes in intensity depending on how fast I'm going but seems to go away at around 65mph.

I've recently done both inner tie rods, driver side axle, and pads/rotors. Wheel bearings seem fine, as well as the ball joints and pass side axle. I've checked all the tires for defects and found none. It's not effecting the way the car drives, or handles but it is getting on my nerves and I'd like to figure out what it is.

[Huffer]

Check your pads again. They might be too snug and not moving back after you've released the brake pedal. Does it go away when you brake?

[mycargoesvroom]

Nope, braking doesn't seem to having any bearing on it. I did notice a "whoom whoom" sound this morning going in sync with the feeling and that it goes away slightly when turning right but gets louder/more noticabke when turning left.

[Huffer]

Swap your wheels front/back. It could be tread related.

[mycargoesvroom]

Ill give it a shot. I just had them balanced and rotated a week ago but there was.no way to tell if the issue was happening prior because of all the other crap that was wrong with it at the time.

[mycargoesvroom]

Rotated the tires front to back and there's no change.

[Huffer]

Ok so we know it's not wheels & tires.

I'm going to say then that it has to be another rotation component - like a wheel bearing or an axle. How is your trans and diff fluid BTW?

[mycargoesvroom]

Bearings seem to be fine (no lateral or verticle play). I'm leaning more towards the pass side axle now. Its the only thing I haven't replaced thus far that could be causing it.

[Magoozle]

A bad cv could cause that. But when you said it gets louder when you turn left and quiet when turning right makes it sound exactly like a wheel bearing. You may not be able to get it to move but it could still be going out. If you can, get it on a lift and have someone drive it. Use a long screwdriver, or stethoscope if you have one, and put it against the hub then put your ear on the handle. See if you can hear a difference from either bearing.

[SVO1]

Have you ever had any sort of torque bind issue? (is car an auto?) My OB has had a similar click for about 10k miles that has gradually gotten worse. Putting the FWD fuse in it makes it stop. It is also starting to push gear oil out of the trans/dif vent tube. Just something else to check, as it started by sounding exactly like a cv issue at first and gradually got worse. Crazy thing is the car does not exhibit any of the typical bind feeling. Worth a shot to try if you can.