Steering wheel vibration

[Solarizona]

Ok, my wobbly steering wheel is driving me crazy. I have new 18" BBS wheels with new Kumho tires. Wheels are balanced, hub rings installed, and an alignment was done about 10K ago (drives very straight). Tire pressure is good at 35psi and Brembo rotors only have about 8K miles. The ride is perfectly smooth 'till about 70mph, then the steering wheel starts shaking. Could it be a worn bushing or something like that? I can't think what else it could be. I've even had the tire shop check the torque on the lugs - still the same shaking. It's weird, it doesn't feel like the wheels but somewhere in the steering - like it's loose or something. Has anyone had something similar? Thanks.

[onefiend]

I had the same problem back when I got 18's on my Gen1, wheels were balanced, but I had a steering wheel vibration when on the fwy, took it in for an alignment and it resolved the steering wheel vibration. Even though you just got an alignment 10K miles ago, I would get one again.

[QuickSEV6]

Yup. Get your wheels balanced. That should fix the problem

[AllShowNoGo]

Check to make sure one of your wheel weights didnt come off, and check your tie rods

[Solarizona]

Hmmm, guess I'll try getting another alignment done. I'll look into the tie rods too. Are there any other steering components that wear out and need to be replaced after a while? I currently have 88K miles. Thanks for the help.

[Toy1mzfe]

some places have warranty's on alignment.. see if u can bring it back and see wassup. if not.. re-align. tires are not cheap.

[QuickSEV6]

Its not an alignment. An alignment problem would cause the car to pull to one side. The steering wheel shake is caused by balance.

[Solarizona]

Its not an alignment. An alignment problem would cause the car to pull to one side. The steering wheel shake is caused by balance.

That's what I always thought. I'm going to try that Hunter Roadforce balance later this week. Anyone have experience with that?

[DDH1313]

Does it get worse if you brake slightly at highway speed?
I get some vibration through the steering linkage when its time to do front pads. It seems like anything under maybe 25% remaining pad seems to warp the rotors a little for whatever reason.

[supersoldier]

i have the same problem its either the wheel weights or you need a balance

[Solarizona]

I know the brakes are OK. It's always smooth when braking. I'm thinking it's something in the linkage or suspension. I had it lowered about 20K miles ago. Maybe something is loose. Also, I had the same vibration with my last set of wheels and I had them rebalanced probably 3 times and it never fixed it.

[TadS]

Check the tires for a hop. Sometimes a well balanced tire can still have some movement in it. Goodyear’s seem to have this problem more than most, but I have seen it on a set of BFG’s also. I have heard about the road force balancers. From what I have been told they’re difficult to use, which can lead to problems if the tire guy isn’t well trained. However, if the guy sets it up right they’re supposed to be pretty good. Make sure they balance the tires right, as in weights in only 2 locations. Usually, sticky weights up front and clap on weights on the back. Make sure they don’t counter balance the tires. Some places only static balance using just one set of weights. It’s an inferior way of balancing.

[Solarizona]

I have heard about the road force balancers. From what I have been told they’re difficult to use, which can lead to problems if the tire guy isn’t well trained. However, if the guy sets it up right they’re supposed to be pretty good. Make sure they balance the tires right, as in weights in only 2 locations. Usually, sticky weights up front and clap on weights on the back. Make sure they don’t counter balance the tires. Some places only static balance using just one set of weights. It’s an inferior way of balancing.

Great info, thanks for the advice