I've scoured a number of threads and sites and have seen this reported in a number of places, but never with any clear resolution.

I have a 2003 Zr2 with new brakes, new front hubs, new rear rotors and new rear calipers. I have noticed (before and after those new parts) that when I begin moving in reverse, such as out of a parking spot, and turn the wheel slightly to the right (so as to turn the vehicle to the left), I experience a significant vibration. At first I thought it to be some kind of grinding, but after examining more carefully, it feels more like a rumbling vibration that runs though the entire vehicle. Almost as if a tire is frozen and skipping. If I cut the wheel first and back up, it doesn't do it. If I reverse straight, it doesn't do it. If I reverse and turn the wheel left, it doesn't do it. Only when I reverse first and turn the wheel slightly to the right. Plus, once the rumbling starts, if I cut the wheel sharply further to the right, the rumbling stops.

I have backed the vehicle up to the point when the rumbling starts, and stopped it there to get out and examine everything, but I can't find any outward sign of a problem. Nothing appears to be rubbing or obstructed. At first I thought maybe a CV joint could be bad, as my original impression was that it was coming from the front passenger side. But that doesn't seem right now and I don't see any sign of excessive wear or damage to the CV axle. A simple alignment issue? I dont know. I would think a general misalignment would cause that to happen more than just with that one particular movement. Any suggestions or insights would be helpful.

 

Could it be that the front axle is engaged via the transfer case with the difference between left and right being because of the differential in the front axle?

 

What type of tires are on it? Sounds typical of worn in and cupped mud tires...

 

Brand new Kumho Road Venture tires. Stock size.

 

You didn't say anything about ball joints.
When you're backing up and turning the wheel like you stated it could a bad ball joint moving around.
You've changed the angle of the wheel so then the joint will shift.

I would get all four of them checked.

Radar