yesterday my steering wheel started shaking when im at 60 or above. the car is a 1998 subaru outback sport it has 150,000 miles on it. i know thats a lot but this car has been babied its entire life only one owner, besides me. ive had NO problems with it at all. any idea what this could be. do i just need new tires and an alignment? the tread on the tires is still good they arent old but i did notice the front right tire is wearing a little differently.
someone please help ive read so many different things on what this could be i dont know what to do.
2006-11-15 07:29:07 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Start with the simple stuff first.
Have your tires balanced to see if that takes care of it. Most steering wheel shimmy is due to unbalanced tire(s).
Next step would be to rotate the tires (AFTER having them balanced). The reason for this is simple. If there is a vibration in one of the wheels or tires, it will move to the back of the car when you rotate them. If this is the case it would be obvious as to where to look for the problem. (Damaged tire/bent wheel).
While you're doing all this swapping around ask the mechanic/tire "technician" to look for any signs of damage or incorrect wear on the tires that would cause a vibration at highway speeds.
If they find a chunk of tire missing, a "blister", or maybe some really abnormal wear, they will usually tell you what theoretically caused it. If the tire is wearing improperly, any reputable shop/mechanic can diagnose the possible problem just by simply looking at your tire. You may or may not need an alignment.
If tire(s) is already wearing badly enough, just an alignment is not going to make the problem go away. Replacing the tire(s) will. If the alignment is out, then replacing the tire before getting it realigned is pointless as you will end up with the same improper wear problem down the road.
Keep a few things in mind in regards to tire wear. Improper wear can be caused by the following:
improper inflation
improper rotation or lack of rotation
improper or loss of wheel balance
worn or damaged shocks or struts
worn or damaged steering components
bent/damaged wheel
improper wheel alignment
2006-11-15 08:19:51 · answer #1 · answered by konstipashen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, before checking the alignment. Get a wash gun to the inside of the rims. it is very common to get mud or rocks or ice build up . wear old clothes so you can look all the way over the tire. Make sure the vehicle can't roll while your crawling in there. Turn the tires all the way one way , inspect , clean with high pressure , turn tires all the way other way and repeat. Also check that all tires have equal air pressure. Road test. OK now if that didn't fix it get the alignment checked . It may be time to put a few hundred dollars into ball joints, alignment,etc.(Front end work) OH YEA make sure the lug nuts are not loose.
2006-11-15 15:43:00 · answer #2 · answered by Jason 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be either the alignment or the wheels needs to be balanced. If you don't want to spend money for a new car then spend the money for some new tires which will include a balance and get an alignment. Good luck......
2006-11-15 15:37:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have the alignment checked first. It could be as simple as that. No noise I'm assuming? If you start to hear a "metal on metal" grinding type noise then it could just be a wheel bearing going out. No biggy, pretty cheap fix and many times you'll feel the "shake" before you find the bad bearing.
2006-11-15 15:37:57 · answer #4 · answered by chicpower 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could have some steering components worn( tie-rods, ball joints etc.) and or a wheel or two out of balance. If you have an alignment done, they will find these things before the proceed.
2006-11-15 15:34:07 · answer #5 · answered by Lab 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a problem with wheel alignment or tire balancing.
2006-11-15 15:38:24 · answer #6 · answered by xox_bass_player_xox 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely it's the tires. Have them rotated first than if it's still doing it it will need an alignment.
2006-11-15 15:47:28 · answer #7 · answered by fr2fish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
99% sure it is wheel balancing. If the shuddering is within a specific ten miles (ie 60 -70), you can be sure. The wear on the front right tyre suggests tracking, but if you are getting a new tyre have the tracking and balancing done on both front and balancing on all four................
2006-11-15 15:34:24 · answer #8 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start with getting the alignment checked - and go from there.
2006-11-15 15:30:47 · answer #9 · answered by kentata 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES ROTATE AND BALANCE YOUR TIRES AND CHECK FOR A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT AS WELL. GOOD LUCK.
2006-11-15 15:38:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋