Still trying to fix 70+ wheel shake.

[adam maclean]

Still got the problem. Ive had tracking checked, wheels aligned and spigot rings changed.

I will recap a bit. Had a bump a few months back, changed wheels and checked everything under the car. All seems well, passed MOT fine.

Since this bump there has been a violent shake through the steering as soon as you do 70+ not there before 70. It is getting quite worrying as it feels like its coming up through the steering colum and it feels horrible to drive. (Cant get the coulum to move when stationary though) Ive asked about the rack but the symptoms of a worn rack don't correspond. It can be felt when going over bumps at low, around town, speeds as well. Turns fine though and no knocks etc.

Could it be a problem with the rack and pinion? (how do I tell?) Could it be down to suspension? I really need help here because im finding myself more and more reluctant to drive the car as it feels terrible.

[Mark Edwards]

Wheel balance mate, nothing more sinister.

[CosmosblueMR2]

did you get it "precision" balanced like I replied with before ? - ie not balanced using the centre hole of the wheel but the studs.

report back old chap !

[adam maclean]

It doesn't feel like a wheel balance. Normally this feels like a vibration/pulsing across the steering wheel, this feels like the whole column is shaking apart. Also it's duplicated when going over bumpy roads.

I will try precision balancing (Cheaper than a rack I suppose). Im just having trouble finding anywhere local that does it.

[CosmosblueMR2]

I will try precision balancing (Cheaper than a rack I suppose). Im just having trouble finding anywhere local that does it.

mine cost £8 a corner - just so you know

[Mark Edwards]

Worth a try, if not, check the steering rack arms, they come of separately.

[adam maclean]

Do you mean track rods. If so these have been checked and the drivers side replaced.

[Mark Edwards]

Do you mean track rods. If so these have been checked and the drivers side replaced.

Yeah that is what i meant.

[adam maclean]

Could it be suspension related? Springs and shocks were recently changed. I hit a concrete reservation side on badly curbing drivers side wheels. Could I have damaged the suspension? How could I tell?

[Mark Edwards]

Bottom ball joints possibly? Jack the front up and shake the wheels and feel for play.

[adam maclean]

Ill try tomorrow. I wouldn't have though the ball joint would cause this much of a problem though. Also wouldn't there be a bumping sound with it?

[Mark Edwards]

Not necessarily no, it'll just be moving side to side a bit.

[adam maclean]

Just tried to get them presision balanced. No luck, can't find anyone in Swansea area who does it. I did speak to one company who said that it could likley be the tyre causing the problem, havn't got time to check it yet. Even though its brand new there may still be a throw in it. Could this cause that much of a problem?

[jamesdoherty]

I recently had this problem - got all wheels balanced, alignment done, changed suspension etc. still had the vibration.

Eventually got new tyres - Problem gone!

James

[adam maclean]

I want to change the tyres anyway. They're Falken ZE 512 and they are sh!te. The Toyos I had on the other wheels were far superior. I have to check them first but hopfully I can get my money back in the new year and go back to Toyos. Would the tyres cause the low speed judder though?

[hp126]

i have the same problem, but what i have narrowed it down to, i think is the alloys, you wheels can be ballanced fine but if its buckeled or dented or has a flat spot it will show as being balancd on the machine in the garage but as soon as u put it on the car, it will run off, its like having a square wheel, it my be balanced but on the car it wont run smoth, try the back wheels on the front, and see if you still have the same problem!!

hope this helps

Ross

[adam maclean]

I will try that but they are brand new and the problem was there as soon as I put the wheels on.

[hp126]

if the problem only came when u put the wheels on that might be telling you something!! try ur old wheels or a diff set and see how it goes!!

[adam maclean]

I think it only came after changing the wheels. There was a slight out of balance shake before but nothing this severe. Ill have to try and find other wheels as two of the old ones are buckled any way. I still havn't had time to check for buckles on the new wheels, I know that there is no buckle when the wheels are spun on the balancing machine. How do I check if they're square? Do I just run my hand along the rim?

Would the wrong offset cause a problem? (Yes it does seem like I'm grasping at straws)

[jonb-]

Do you mean track rods. If so these have been checked and the drivers side replaced.

Yeah that is what i meant.

No it's not, you meant the inner arms surely?

As i'm sure you've done (but can't see a mention of) just jack the car up each side and have a good tug at the 3/9 oclock then the 12/6 oclock positions and see if you can feel any play (you'll feel it clunking through the rack) which can easily be the inner arms (about £35 from sBits) or the rack.

Unless you had a different offset each side i can't see that being the cause, cheap tyres often do cause problems though. I got nankangs with my 18s and the vibe can't be balanced out for love nore money! If i stick another set of alloys on though it's just fine.