1999 Lincoln Continental Steering Shake

1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
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BRYANTSEL
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I have a 99 Lincoln Continental, during deceleration (Slowing without applying the break) and braking the steering wheel will start to shake back and forth slightly. Any ideas what might be causing this, or suggestions would be helpful.
Jan 23, 2007 at 9:26 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Tire with a shifted belt is the first thought.
Jan 23, 2007 at 9:38 AM
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BRYANTSEL
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[quote:3fdfb2a2ac="Service Writer"]Tire with a shifted belt is the first thought.[/quote:3fdfb2a2ac]

I can get around fine, but by no means am a car expert. Would you be able to break that down a little more for me?

Thanks
Bryant
Jan 23, 2007 at 9:45 AM
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Certainly, An inside defect can occur that allows the steel belts to be come sepated. The result is a bulge or a lump that causes the tire to no longer be concentric. Stay tuned a minute and I'll see if I can build off that.
Jan 23, 2007 at 10:10 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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In this picture you can see the steel belts:


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_tire_1.jpg

The Blue line represent how the outside will bulge. In this pic:


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_tire1_1.jpg

The blue line shows a side view of the defect. As your wheels rotate, it is smotth until the road and this bulge makes contact. Then it is like diving over a bump and the steering wheel reacts. Going faster makes the steering wheel shake. If this is happening, get it taken care of asap as it is unsafe and can cause a loss of control.
Jan 23, 2007 at 10:23 AM
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Is the shaking the same as braking and not braking? IF this is happening when NOT braking, I would expect the above to be true. If the shaking changes when braking, most likley your brake rotors are warped and would need replacement as well.
Jan 23, 2007 at 10:26 AM
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BRYANTSEL
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Thanks for your advice. I checked my tires over and did not see anything, but I will rotate them this weekend. If that improves things I will replace my old front tires.

Thanks Again
Bryant Selko
Jan 25, 2007 at 9:24 AM
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Bryan, are you doing the rotating or a shop?
Jan 25, 2007 at 9:40 AM
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BRYANTSEL
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I will be doing it myself.
Jan 25, 2007 at 10:11 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Before you pull a wheel, spin it on the car as fast as you can and observe the roundness or trueness. Especially the fronts.
Jan 25, 2007 at 10:14 AM

Suggested Repair

Spin each wheel on the car and check for a bulge or out-of-round tire, especially the fronts, which can indicate a separated steel belt. Replace any defective tire promptly. If the shake changes only while braking, also inspect and replace warped brake rotors.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1999 Lincoln Continental reported slight steering-wheel shake during deceleration and braking. The expert first suspected a tire with a shifted or separated steel belt, which can create a bulge and make the wheel shake as it rotates, and warned that this is unsafe. The expert also said warped rotors are more likely if the shake changes specifically while braking. The owner found no visible tire defect and planned to rotate the tires; the expert advised spinning the wheels on the car first to check roundness, especially the fronts.

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