Vibration in steering wheel

[bewster]

Hey guys. As the title says, I've got an odd vibration in my steering wheel. It starts at about 30mph, very slightly, then starts to get a lot worse nearing 60. I haven't tried to go any faster because theres something obviously wrong.

Heres the specs: Its 1993 plymouth laser RS AWD, its got a built 92 2.3l, forged internals, new valves, cleaned up head, 272s, etc. It was a total rebuild, motor was completely out of the car, all clearances were checked and dealt with. It has monroe sensa-trac shocks installed all around about a year ago and I just replaced the lower ball joints a month or so ago.

Heres the problem: On my way home from work a week ago I hit a massive pothole doing about 65mph. The pothole completely blew my drivers' side wheel apart, it was an aftermarket 18" wheel. The tire was also shredded pretty badly. After the incident, I threw on my spare (donut) and limped it home (never went above 40). While driving it home, it had an odd vibration in the steering wheel that wasn't there previously. I figured it was probably because of the spare.

Once I got it back, I ran to the junkyard and grabbed 4 16" stock rims from a Laser there and ordered a set of stock tires. I had them all mounted and balanced by a reputable shop. I then threw the tires on the car, making sure to tighten the lugs correctly. And I've still got this shimmy in the steering wheel.

Things Ive checked: I checked the stabilizer bar and the end links, which look fine. I also checked the strut mounting bolts, which all were tight. One thing I did notice was the strut on that side looks pretty blown. Theres fluid everywhere inside the wheel well, and all over the strut.

I'm in the process of ordering the strut now, but I'm not sure thats causing all of my problems. I've never seen/heard of a blown strut causing a vibration in the steering wheel. Anyone want to take a stab at what else might be damaged? Any help is really appreciated.

 

[pullerfan]

Ball joints? lower or upper control arms?
i know my car the lower control arms were shit but they were a recall so i got the work done and parts for free... maybe check that out, or just take it to a shop and have them check it all out

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Have you checked the ball joint on that side? Maybe it's loose and giving you a vibration. Just a thought.

 

[ClevelandDSM]

Jack the front end up and check for play. Figure out if the play is Side to Side , or Up and Down. With a hit that hard to the suspension on that side, i would also check the whole hub assembly.

 

[bewster]

I did check the ball joints, they seem alright. Theres no up-down movement in the wheel when its off the ground, and very little side to side. Is there a way to check the control arm? Visually, it looks ok, no cracks or anything. But I dont know of any way to really test it. Thanks for the ideas guy

 

[gurmanator]

bad wheel bearing,tread seperation of tire,unbalanced wheel,bad tie-rod end.just ideas.

 

[s3x_rapt0r]

bad wheel bearing,tread seperation of tire,unbalanced wheel,bad tie-rod end.just ideas.

hes right i had the same problem on my neon it was a bad alignment and my worn tires ecept mine started at 75 and got REALLY bad to the point where the wheel felt like my girlfriends favorite toy

 

[OhhDearOh]

Does the vibration go away after a certain speed? i would think maybe a tie-rod.

 

[Defiant]

You tossed a wheel weight. When you have the shop re-balance your tires, have them give the suspension a look-over.

 

[OhhDearOh]

You tossed a wheel weight. When you have the shop re-balance your tires, have them give the suspension a look-over.

he said he got 4 new stock rims from a junkyard (had them rebalanced & tires put on) & still has the vibration

 

[bewster]

Small update: I took the wheels back to the shop and had them rechecked, they balanced out fine but I had the tech re-do it anyway. I also replaced the strut, which was really blown. The rod literally fell into the cylinder once I took the coil spring off. I'm beginning to think maybe the junkyard wheels are the problem.

Just to confirm, Are 1g wheels all the same? I think the wheels I got at the junkyard were from a 92 laser RS AWD, my car is a 93 RS AWD, possible problem? I had the tech at the shop look at the front end and he also said there wasnt anything jumping out at him, but he'd take a closer look when he got a minute.

Oh, and no, the vibration doesn't go away after a certain speed. It starts about 30 and gets worse closer to 60.

 

[gpopppa]

I know this is an older post but did you ever figure this out? I have the same issues but im almost certain its my trans mounts. Thanks!

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Holy Frankenstein you know brakes can play a big role in vibrations! If its been hit or placed off balance and not straight then that will cause the car or steering wheel to shake! So I'd check that also check the bolts for the calipers etc! If its not that then I would also look at the steering rack and rods and bits missing will cause it to have slight play/vibrate! Since this was last year I hope the OP got it fixed! Since there's no reply after his last post no one knows if its fixed or found the problem?

 

[Rummy636]

did u check the rims when u bought it. If one of the wheels was bent and was put on the front, you can have a vibration. When the tech balanced the rim, did he check for bends? the rim and tire can balance out but the rim could still be bent and cuase that.

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

did u check the rims when u bought it. If one of the wheels was bent and was put on the front, you can have a vibration. When the tech balanced the rim, did he check for bends? the rim and tire can balance out but the rim could still be bent and cause that.

Tire machines would pick that up! As they would run high numbers on the balance test and then make the tech aware! Also when he or she installs the tire they would see if it didn't line up correctly! That's part of there job to. Look while installing tires, so its doubtful its the rim its self!!!

I've had small play before in another car and that has had small vibrations as the wheel will move from left to right freely with out the steering wheel which results in vibrations! But it could be a loose bolt on the underside etc so just jack the car up and wiggle everything for movement and wheels and brakes EVERYTHING must be tested!

 

[Shake_Zulla]

I know this is an older post but did you ever figure this out? I have the same issues but im almost certain its my trans mounts. Thanks!

I would guess that since he only had 4 posts and this thread is two years old that he doesn't go here anymore . Since we are bring posts back from the dead I have found with stuff like this the easy thing to do is take it to a really good suspension shop and have them tell you whats wrong. Then take it home and fix it yourself, done.

 

[knochgoon24]

I know this is an older post but did you ever figure this out? I have the same issues but im almost certain its my trans mounts. Thanks!

Jack up your car. Check your wheel bearing, tie rod end, and other suspension stuff for play. All those parts wear out over time.

 

[McCanic]

my wheel shakes too, i think its becouse of the control arm bushings are junk.

 

[BLINKY619]

You probably accidentaly hit the naws button?

I would take a closer look at your ball joints...

You probably accidentaly hit the naws button?

I would take a closer look at your ball joints...

 

[GST4g63T]

Holy Frankenstein you know brakes can play a big role in vibrations! If its been hit or placed off balance and not straight then that will cause the car or steering wheel to shake! So I'd check that also check the bolts for the calipers etc! If its not that then I would also look at the steering rack and rods and bits missing will cause it to have slight play/vibrate! Since this was last year I hope the OP got it fixed! Since there's no reply after his last post no one knows if its fixed or found the problem?

Brakes are alot of times over looked and also check that rack, Jeeez how big was the pothole?

 

[Gs Dewd]

First check the tires for cupping and unusual wear. The check the tie rod ends (inner and outer) then move to the ball joints.

 

[ALBurgundy]

To rule out the wheels/tires being a culprit you should get them "road force Balanced". This will tell you if belts are broken, tires are badly cupped or out of round.
If that checks out then you have problems.

Checking wheel bearing play should come next, takes about 10 mins. Put the car on stands, grab the wheel at 12 and 6 and feel for play.
ANY play means replace wheel bearing/hub.
Then grab the wheel at 3 and 9 and try to move for play. If you feel play in this direction grab a set of channel locks and squeez the out tie rod to its mounting bolt. If play stops it outer, if its doesnt its the inner.

if you want to check for movement in control arms get yourself a prybar and pry around and near bushing. Alot of play at any would mean replace.

depending on how hard you hit this pot hole of doom. I would also check the CV joint on that wheel/axle.

Lastly if it was break rotors having a ton of runout it would get alot worse when you heat them up so you could get heavy on the brake and if the shaking gets worse as they get hot replace them.

 

[gpopppa]

Hey shake, not to be a total ass, but I come on here every night after work, Although I may not post on certain things, I would like to find out if people resolve their issues so People like me... dont have to ask. Im on my 5th dsm, and I drive a 3g from time to time. So to answer you obvious assumption, I DO come in here quite often. And my posts, reason being on my so few posts is because I SEARCH. Why post up on something to have someone like you flame me about searching.

And knochgoon, Ive done that, Its my trans mount. Working 6 days a week, i really cant get down and dirty with fixing the front end.

And defiant, my role model in the dsm world, I will not bring up older posts then a year if that works,was just trying to figure out if he resolved the issues/