Hi, got my EOS last Wednesday 21st. I have noticed that with the roof down there tends to be an increased wobble on the steering wheel, just wondering if this is normal. I live in the country and the roads aren't exactly smooth. Any advice most welcome.
:confused:

Not something i have ever noticed, and i certainly have country roads.

Should have mentioned EOS SE 1.4TSi 160 if that makes any difference?

Hi, got my EOS last Wednesday 21st. I have noticed that with the roof down there tends to be an increased wobble on the steering wheel, just wondering if this is normal. I live in the country and the roads aren't exactly smooth. Any advice most welcome.
:confused:

It is called "Cowl Shake".

All convertibles have it when the top is down. Some to a larger degree than others. When the roof is up and in place it supplies rigidity to the body but some of the stiffness is lost when the top is down.

I have owned 5 convertibles over the years and some were quite bad regarding cowl shake. The only one I had that didn't have any was my 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible. The Eos has some but not nearly as bad as the older verts.

Enjoy your Eos, it is a very nicely engineered car.

It is called "Cowl Shake".

All convertibles have it when the top is down. Some to a larger degree than others. When the roof is up and in place it supplies rigidity to the body but some of the stiffness is lost when the top is down.

I have owned 5 convertibles over the years and some were quite bad regarding cowl shake. The only one I had that didn't have any was my 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible. The Eos has some but not nearly as bad as the older verts.

Enjoy your Eos, it is a very nicely engineered car.


Scuttle shake ,as we call it in UK certainly causes vibration but i have not known it to cause a steering wheel wobble.

Scuttle shake ,as we call it in UK certainly causes vibration but i have not known it to cause a steering wheel wobble.


I am not certain if the Eos electrically assisted power steering retains a direct mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels. If there is no linkage, the shake in the steering wheel will be coming from the body structure or the mounting bolts for the steering wheel assembly are loose. The body shake may also be caused by out-of-balance road wheels.

If there is a conventional mechanical linkage, it is more than likely the shaking is coming from the front suspension. Possible causes are out-of-balance road wheels, suspension misalignment, faulty ball joints or loose suspension/steering components.

All of these are safety-related items and should be checked under warranty.

Thanks for the replies I assumed it was a rigidity issue with not having the roof down. Last convertible I had was a 1972 MG Midget but having just changed from a Golf GT Sport 2.0TDi I thought this was a good place to ask.

Scuttle shake ,as we call it in UK certainly causes vibration but i have not known it to cause a steering wheel wobble.

Since the steering wheel column is bolted to the "Cowl", the shake can be felt in the steering wheel.

It is not a vibration, it is actually a shake based on the terrain, not the speed.

You may call it "scuttle shake" but it is actually the cowl that is moving. Look up the definition of cowl.

"The forward part of the body of a motor vehicle supporting the rear of the hood and the windshield and housing the pedals and instrument panel".