The faster I go while in gear, the faster the wavering sound goes. When I push the clutch in, it stops, so it must be the manual 4-speed trans.

It sounds like, "Eeee-Ooooo-Eeeee-Ooooo... -etc."

Whaddya think? It shifts fine but still torque-steers at low speeds. I just put in a few quarts of synthetic oil when I replaced the axle last week because only a couple of ounces came out when I drained it. It was pretty dang low!

Sound = bad sign? Is there a fix?

Grab an axle and lift it up and down. If the other axle moves any up and down it is the differential bearings. No cheap and easy fix. Replace them or the trans.

------------------
Rodney Dickman

Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page:
www.rodneydickman.com
Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories
7604 Treeview Drive
Caledonia, WI 53108
Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575

quote Originally posted by Rodney: Grab an axle and lift it up and down. If the other axle moves any up and down it is the differential bearings. No cheap and easy fix. Replace them or the trans.

Thanks, Rodney. I guess that would explain why even small bumps in the road affect my steering. Even going over painted lines in the pavements makes the steering jumpy.

If that is the problem, how will the trans fail? Gradual, or all at once?

I'll jack it up and try the axle-movement thing and report back.

diff bearings have nothing to do with torque steer. you have a problem with your rear suspension. either something is loose, misadjusted, or broken.
The sound could also be a wheel bearing startign to go. sounds like you may have a couple of issues there.

quote Originally posted by tjm4fun: diff bearings have nothing to do with torque steer. you have a problem with your rear suspension. either something is loose, misadjusted, or broken. The sound could also be a wheel bearing startign to go. sounds like you may have a couple of issues there.

The sound stops as soon as I take it out of gear so I think the hubs are OK. I have been through the hub replacement noises before and I don't think this "cycling/wavering" sound is bearings. Now, the bearings could be the torque-steer problem, but they aren't making any noise that I can tell and there is no play in the hubs, so I am hoping for the best there. I think you are right about the rear needing an adjustment, tmj4fun - the car needs an alignment, so we'll see what the torque-steer story is after that is done.

Let's hope for just one problem!

diff bearings are spinning in or out of gear, as long as the wheels are turning. do you get the noise in gear when coasting, ie no power really engine rpm matches so there is no load? does it do it more on accelleration or decelleration?
now those bearings may not be noisy on coast, but with load they could be noisy, a sign of early wear.
I've heard a noise that may sound like what you are describing on a rwd with a sprung differrential ham/housing. (devils advocate thing there, it makes a similar sound). the woo-woo high/low pitch, usually lower frequency is caused by gear mesh alignment, worn bearing cause them to not engage in their normal wear contact point, and you get noise.
Of course, I'm just guessing on the noise you are hearing. you could try recording it on a laptop/digicam tho.

alignment will most definately effect torque steering, especially the rear toe. getting that squared away should resolve that issue.

I have to check it again to see if the noise is there when coasting. I'm pretty sure it does it as long as it is in gear - no matter the load. I know it is there at steady speed - whether slowing (even a tiny bit) or accelerating.

The gear-not-meshing you describe sounds accurate. The frequency is low, too. Sprung differential ham/housing, huh? I guess that ultimately means death to the gears one day.

It does it in every gear, so that helps narrow it down, too.

I would be willing to bet that your torque steer problem is related to the rear tie rod ends- in my case at least it was a drivers side inner. Jumping on the gas and letting off would cause the car to rear-steer what felt like would be a half lane if I let it go.

Jack the car up and grab the rear wheels and attempt to "wiggle" them left to right on both sides. I suspect that you will find one or both to be moveable. When they move, look and see what is sloppy. Replace sloppy part. Drive car. Repeat (many times on 20+year old car!)

Good Luck!
Kurt