Steering wheel vibration/shaking

['00Roush]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can help me out.

Whenever I'm driving between 40mph-50mph my steering wheel begins to shake/vibrate. It happens when I'm accelerating and also when I'm braking. It only does it at those speeds.

I noticed this thread by DoggieDoc, ... when wheel bearings go bad ..., I'm not hearing any grinding noises. But I am experiencing vibrations at a certain speed.

Any ideas as to what is causing this?

[Shay]

• Out of balance tire/wheel - very common with 18" wheels. Sticker style weights can come off over time and cause this. Tires can also "flat spot" if car has been sitting for a long time. Drive for an hour usually cures that.

• Bent wheel

• Wheel bearing could cause it, but it would have to be so bad and so noisy that you would have replaced it before your steering wheel shakes

['00Roush]

I have replaced the rack and pinion bushings, done an alignment and balanced the wheels. I don't think the tires have a "flat spot" because it's a daily driven car, I even drove it from L.A. to Dallas last week.

Does it make a difference if I'm running 19" rims? Also, the steering wheel seems to have some "slack". Almost as if it needs to be tightened.


Thanks again Shay!

[Shay]

If your tie rod ends are worn and loose, that could cause what you are describing too.

[wavgby]

• Bent wheel

I was haveing the same shaking problem and I took it to the shop for balanceing and while it was on the machine I could actually see it bounceing the tech said I have a slightly bent wheel.. So I guess i'll be looking for a new one before to long.

['00Roush]

I have taken my car to a mechanic when I lived in Los Angeles but he wasn't able to fix it. I guess I'll take it to a mechanic out here, hopefully they can fix it.

Thanks again guys.