Pulsating in the steering wheel

EVH5150 · 11-05-2006, 12:11 AM

Hi all,
I've been noticing a pulsating in the steering wheel when driving at slower speeds (about 15-25 MPH). Now, I've heard that the Sedona is notorious for warping rotors, being that it may be a heavier van and requires more braking power, etc. Could this be the cause, and if so, other than cutting the rotors, will a new set of aftermarket rotors resist the warping than the O.E. rotors? Also is there a solution to quieting the bumps at slower speeds? The suspension seems to be a little noisy on bumps at slow speeds.
These are not major complaints. Just little things I'd like to eliminate.
Jason.

rob_fed · 12-05-2006, 06:58 PM

For the low speed pulsation, check your front tire wear pattern, most likely the outsides are slightly cupped. Could be the inside tread edges too. Rotate the tires from the rear to the front. This may help. If the rotors are warped, you will also feel the pulsation with your foot on the brake pedal.

The front end clunk(s) - look for the thread about the Sedona front struts. Many are experiencing the same thing. I took mine in and they tightened a few suspension fasteners to spec. and it seems to have helped, but not eliminated all of the noises when going over bumps.

Like you, not perfect, but still livable.

Inky · 12-06-2006, 10:29 AM

I concur with rob_fed on the rotors. You'll feel that more in the pedal during braking.

I felt the pulsating in my '02 Sedona but didn't bother fixing it before the trade in. A Sedona owner in another group posted about this problem. He said he changed tires and had the alignment adjusted, checked, and rechecked. He also took it to the dealer several times. Nothing helped and no one knew what was causing the problem. He finally gave up and just tolerated it. Sad but I guess unavoidable on some Sedona minivans.

If you get this fixed, let us know what was causing the problem.

EVH5150 · 12-24-2006, 04:14 AM

Thanks for the reply guys. My next option will be to cut or replace the rotors since it still pulsates after rotating the tires. Will let you know what I find

Inky · 12-24-2006, 01:06 PM

EVH5150, monetarily, how advantageous is it to machine the rotors rather than just replace them? On my '96 Voyager, the rotors were not all that expensive and I wanted to avoid as much hassle as possible so I just replaced and started out fresh.

EVH5150 · 12-27-2006, 11:36 PM

Good point. I guess if it isn't all that expensive, to just replace them. However, the van only has 13000 miles on it. Normally, how long a life do rotors have on a minivan?

Inky · 12-27-2006, 11:53 PM

The life of the rotor depends on several factors:

1) Driving style/conditions-- The more and longer you brake, the more likely you are to warp them. (Accidentally driving with the e-brake on is a killer, too.)

2) Quality of the rotors

3) Weight of the vehicle-- This is the strike against the Sedona in this area; it's very heavy in the front.

4) Brake pads-- Replace them when you need to or you'll chew notches into the rotors.

5) Moisture-- I live in a desert so I'm not sure but I imagine that it's not good for metal to be constantly exposed to water. Of course, the water could also have a cooling effect which would actually be beneficial.

Finally, with less metal the rotor will be able to heat up faster and warp sooner. So, machining them could be counterproductive. I would replace them with something high-quality.

I don't know about the Sedona but the cheap rotors on my Voyager are at about 75K and still working very well.

dh210550 · 01-08-2007, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inky

The life of the rotor depends on several factors:

1) Driving style/conditions-- The more and longer you brake, the more likely you are to warp them. (Accidentally driving with the e-brake on is a killer, too.)

2) Quality of the rotors

3) Weight of the vehicle-- This is the strike against the Sedona in this area; it's very heavy in the front.

4) Brake pads-- Replace them when you need to or you'll chew notches into the rotors.

5) Moisture-- I live in a desert so I'm not sure but I imagine that it's not good for metal to be constantly exposed to water. Of course, the water could also have a cooling effect which would actually be beneficial.

Finally, with less metal the rotor will be able to heat up faster and warp sooner. So, machining them could be counterproductive. I would replace them with something high-quality.

I don't know about the Sedona but the cheap rotors on my Voyager are at about 75K and still working very well.

On the Noisy At Low Speed question : Before I bought my Sedona I read all the reports I could and they all said that the Sedona suspension is 'choppy' at lower speeds, i.e. you feel every bump. Having had the car for a year now I know what they mean, but it seems better if the car is heavily laden, so I think the problem is that the suspension is too firm with a light load. I have 15" wheels which probably make it worse than 16" wheels. I was considering fitting tyres with a greater profile to the 15" wheels in an attempt to soften the ride, I wonder if anyone else has tried this?

Carval · 05-24-2007, 03:28 PM

Hi! I have had my Kia Carnival (sedona) TDi 2,9 för about 30 months. during that time we ahve put ca 100000 kms on it.
the first two years it has been working great, but recently I have really lost confidence in the van: January 07, The head gasket blows. Feb 07, right hand side driveshaft. May 07, alternator and a very strange pulsating feeling in the steering wheel.
I wonder if it is the same pulsating feeling as was described eariler in this thread? In our van it is most obviuos at low speed and cold engine. If anyone have any ideas, I would welcome them! I know for a fact that this is not a break problem. It came out of the blue.
Power steering pump? Worn power steering fluid?

cpapashley · 05-25-2007, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carval

Hi! I have had my Kia Carnival (sedona) TDi 2,9 för about 30 months. during that time we ahve put ca 100000 kms on it.
the first two years it has been working great, but recently I have really lost confidence in the van: January 07, The head gasket blows. Feb 07, right hand side driveshaft. May 07, alternator and a very strange pulsating feeling in the steering wheel.
I wonder if it is the same pulsating feeling as was described eariler in this thread? In our van it is most obviuos at low speed and cold engine. If anyone have any ideas, I would welcome them! I know for a fact that this is not a break problem. It came out of the blue.
Power steering pump? Worn power steering fluid?

I thought the power steering pump was a common problem, one that regularly failed around that 100,000km mark. Might be wrong but do a quick search and I am sure you will find some comments on this one.