Steering Wheel Shakes Options

[HardHead93]

During my track day yesterday I ran off the road into the dirt. When I got back onto the road my car started making a thumping noise and the steering wheel was vibrating while driving. I got home and put the front of the car on jack stands. There was no play up and down or side to side when I shook the wheel. I also inspected the wheels and rims, there was some lost tread from where I locked the wheels but no warping of the rims. Lastly I started the car and put it into gear to get the wheels spinning. Usually when I did this both wheels turned normally. When I did it this time the driver side wheel would turn a little bit then get stuck. Once it got out of that sticking point it would turn some more but slowly, then get stuck again. When I turned the wheel by hand doesn't spin as easily as the passenger side and does have a point where it gets stuck and I have to push through it. I don't think it is the wheel bearing because I just replaced that about 6 months ago. What could be causing this? Could it be a sticking brake caliper? I do remember when I was driving home smelling a funny odor at first I thought it was gear oil but nothing was leaking from the car.

This post has been edited by HardHead93: Nov 19, 2017 - 1:45 PM

[gallant17]

Try pulling the axle shaft from that side and check both joints for binding im not sure if this would cause a steering vibration but it would defenitley give the wheel a hardspot while trying to turn it