High speed vibration/shaking steering wheel

[RamenPride]

I've been having this problem for a few years now, just been dealing with it. To make a long story short, thought it was my old wheel/tire combination, but I just put brand new wheels/tires on and it's still there (bought them as a package mounted and balanced). Anyway, over the week I noticed the following:

Both front wheels had play when checking at 3 and 9 o'clock. Both front wheels also had play at 12 and 6 o'clock. Play was minimal I guess, about 1mm or so of movement. However, it was enough to see the steering wheel move as I was checking for play.

Sooo, I replaced both outer tie rod ends and both front wheel bearings and got an alignment. Now, the driver's side play at 12 and 6 o'clock is gone, but there's still a little play at 3 and 9 (it is less than before, though). Passenger side play didn't change at all. The vibration/shaking steering wheel isn't as bad as it was before, but it's far from a smooth ride once I get up to around 80 or so on the highway. The previous owner told me she brought the car in for the ball joint recall and everything checked out. Keeping in mind that this was 4 years ago, I'm thinking that maybe the lower ball joint(s) are bad? I tried to look and see, but the play is so minimal that it's hard to tell. Also, the boots are intact and look to be in perfect shape. Furthermore, when I picked the car up after getting the alignment they didn't say anything else (I'm assuming they check for worn suspension components).

Any ideas or suggestions are welcome as I'm not sure where to look next.

 

[wret]

The usual suspects

Vibration
1. Out of balance or out of round wheel
2. Wheel bearings
3. Drive shafts/CV Joints

Steering wheel play
1. Ball joints
2. Tie rod ends inner/outer
3. Steering Rack
4. Wheel bearings

 

[PRESSURIZED]

Check your INNER tie rod ends. That will give you play a 3 and 9

 

[RamenPride]

I replaced the outer tie rod ends first since they're relatively cheap and easy to do. That eliminated most of the 3-9 play. I replaced both front wheel bearings also, and that eliminated all of the 12-6 play on the driver's side but there's still a little play on the passenger side. The ride quality has improved significantly, but hasn't eliminated the problem completely.

 

[jtmcinder]

Vibration
1. Out of balance or out of round wheel
2. Wheel bearings
3. Drive shafts/CV Joints

4. Brake rotors

- Jtoby

 

[Slow99x]

12 and 6 play= ball joints/ controll arms
3 and 9 play = inner/ outer tie rods
Get the front wheels off the ground, move the wheels up and down, side to side while someone watches what is moving.