Steering wheel vibration at about 65mph

[97C28O]

Before everyone posts:
Wheel Balance
Bent Wheel

All wheels are balanced, no wheels are bent.

The steering wheel also feels loose, have some play.

From my search, it seems to be possible:
Tie Rod Ends
Drag Link/ Center Link assembly.

How can I tell that the drag link/center link is in a need of replacement if its not visible on the outer tie rod end? The car also doesn't seem to steer straight, slight angle on the wheel to drive straight. I had done two alignments and each time it would come out the same, either to the left, or to the right....

[wichipong]

alignment?

[97C28O]

I've done alignments and it only fixes the pull, but steering wheel vibration is still there as well as the loose steering feel.

[mbsickness]

Who balanced the tires? Is it only one shop balancing the tires? I had a problem with a vibration and the tire shop could never get rid of it. Had the tires balanced at the dealer and it has been smooth as glass for a year. I suspect the calibration of the balancer has a lot to do with the problem. How are you LCA bushings?

[wichipong]

i heard something bout dealerships do force balance tires?!? or try nitrogen in tires coz theyre lighter...

[97C28O]

Tires were replaced and Balanced couple months ago (this symptom has been happening before balanced) I had them balance it twice and the readout was same.

LCA Bushings, I have not checked them. How would I be able to tell they need to be replaced? Are there two bushings per LCA?

[97C28O]

Road Force Balance

[mbsickness]

Tires were replaced and Balanced couple months ago (this symptom has been happening before balanced) I had them balance it twice and the readout was same.

LCA Bushings, I have not checked them. How would I be able to tell they need to be replaced? Are there two bushings per LCA?

I believe there are two bushings but I have heard one of them typically goes bad. Both my 202's had the LCA's go at around 65K miles. Larger tires and rims just speed up the process. I have not checked them myself....so I can't help there. Even though the balancer says the wheel balances out...it really doesn't mean much if the machine isn't calibrated correctly.

[chimchongdlight]

Mine does this too but i think its my spacers. They arent hub centric. Theyre 5 lug universal spacers. Im not sure if its the wheels and tires. Or the spacers. Mine does it around 60mph too. But kinda goes away around 70-80.

[Nine Four One]

Mine does it too....got my new wheels an tires an when i out them on i noticed my wheel bearings have a good ammount of play. Iam sure that is my issue may want to check yours...just a thought. Road fore balance is nice but not like it has to be done. Just takes the high spot of the tire an matches the low spot of the wheel. The dealership i worked at had one so ive done my share of them. I would bet you have some loose front end parts for sure

[wichipong]

Why not bring it to Auto Plus so they can check for you.
Tell them Jun sent you and they will take care of you.
Tel# 650-347-7751 ask for Taby or Philip.

where is that? i need a hookup on alignment too... as long as they take lowered cars..

[hvmercy]

Off topic:
wichipong: There is one closer to you. Autoinnovations in Milpitas at Minnis Circle. They did my suspension mod and every time I need tires I always go to them.
Ask for Orlando or Steve. And yes, they will do alignment on lowered/modified cars.

They always host car meets at their business place. Plus they give discounts if you can get a lot of cars that need alignments on the same day - usually during the car meet.
I always took my S2000 there for suspension needs back in my JDM days.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W7965iMhOYQ/RaFT4newfPI/AAAAAAAAAA4/u7By4bMIBzU/s800/Picture%2520029.jpg

On topic: 97C280, have you replaced your steering damper lately? You're on track about the tie rods. How old are your tires? You may have a flat spot if you haven't driven it for a while.
My C230 does the same thing before but it never really bothered me so much since I only use the car for dropping my kids off to St. Clement school. I recently replaced my tires and the vibration has gone
away. By the way, my new tires only have 45 miles to date since I bought them from Autoinnovations in Milpitas, therefore that may not be enough mileage for a good assessment.


where is that? i need a hookup on alignment too... as long as they take lowered cars..

[ypkx]

before a change of new tyres and suspension, i get this all the time.
after new tyres, suspension and springs.. i get so much more stability at high speeds, mine used to vibrate so much i get scared going over 70.. now i can do 90-110mph without feeling a wobble.

[Kropf]

LCA Bushings, I have not checked them. How would I be able to tell they need to be replaced? Are there two bushings per LCA?

In the original front LCArms, there is a front solid bushing that endures farely well, but the non-solid rear bushing has an inner core that usually separates from the outer housing, letting the wheel/tire to drift to the front and to the rear. Get a little imbalance from even the rotors, and you've got a rockin, unstable Arm!

Attached is a recent photo from my C43: (notice the inner core laying on the paper that fell out of the housing!)

[anf6789]

jack up front of car. can you jiggle either of the wheels at all? that will tell you if you have any play in the tie rods ect. My tie rods are going and my wheels move about .5 in in either direction when pushed.

[hvmercy]

That's really screwed up. I bet you really get a lot of "clunk" sound when you're rolling. Glad you took care of it.
Mine wasn't that bad when it was replaced.


In the original front LCArms, there is a front solid bushing that endures farely well, but the non-solid rear bushing has an inner core that usually separates from the outer housing, letting the wheel/tire to drift to the front and to the rear. Get a little imbalance from even the rotors, and you've got a rockin, unstable Arm!

Attached is a recent photo from my C43: (notice the inner core laying on the paper that fell out of the housing!)

[97C28O]

where is that? i need a hookup on alignment too... as long as they take lowered cars..

Go to Auto Innovations.

[wichipong]

Go to Auto Innovations.

you're the second person who recommended that shop! imma get my DIY camber arms before i visit them.. anyone know how much for alignment?

[hvmercy]

$80. But we can ask for deal if we get a lot of folks in need of alignment. Orlando or Steve usually drops them to $65 on his S2000 hookups.
I need one too.

you're the second person who recommended that shop! imma get my DIY camber arms before i visit them.. anyone know how much for alignment?

[wichipong]

$80. But we can ask for deal if we get a lot of folks in need of alignment. Orlando or Steve usually drops them to $65 on his S2000 hookups.
I need one too.

sounds good let me know how many more to get a group buy rate... imma ask around my buddies who needs one...

[97C28O]

is it better to check with te wheel on the car or removing it is best to check..

[wichipong]

is it better to check with te wheel on the car or removing it is best to check..

check for what?

[97C28O]

check for what?

my tie rod links