Steering wheel shake

Have some questions about how to achive better handling and stopping power using different springs, upgrading to coilovers, questions on swaybars, bushings, different rotors, pads, ect... Having any steering problems or questions about steering racks, tie rods, tie rod ends, ect... ask these questions here.
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Sabba
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Steering wheel shake

Post by Sabba » Mon Sep 05, 2011 1:18 pm

I've had this annoying steering wheel shake since I have bought the car. At first I thought it would be an easy fix... I guess not . :banghead:

The steering wheel shakes at highway speeds (at exactly 90kmh) and gets progressively more violent with higher speeds. Anything past 110kmh is undriveable.

The strange thing is that it appears to be intermittent. The wheel will be still at times, and then start shaking again. for a short period (usually after I hit a bump), then "level off" and be still until the next bump.

I have replaced:

1) Inner tie rod ends with Moogs
2) Outer tie rod ends
3) LCA bushings with Prothanes
4) Tires balances and aligned

I have checked ball joints as per the FSM, both sides appear fine.

Any ideas, because I'm all out...

:tardbang:
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nerox
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Post by nerox » Mon Sep 05, 2011 2:10 pm

have you checked the engine alignment ?
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iThane
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Post by iThane » Mon Sep 05, 2011 2:22 pm

my black car did the same thing.. but i just ignored it since the car
drug to the right when i let go of the steering wheel anyways.. but
the blue car does it too... i just thought it was a neon thing :lol:
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JeffM
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Post by JeffM » Mon Sep 05, 2011 2:27 pm

Hub/bearing assembly. I had a bent hub and it would cause the wheel to shake like a mofo.
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Sabba
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Post by Sabba » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:01 pm

JeffM wrote:Hub/bearing assembly. I had a bent hub and it would cause the wheel to shake like a mofo.
But this is intermittent shaking...it comes and goes.

This makes me rule out wheel balance, bent hub or rim.

I've switched tires from front to back as well, no difference.
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JeffM
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Post by JeffM » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:28 pm

Are there any other symptoms? Noises?
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g_force58
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steering wheel shake

Post by g_force58 » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:49 pm

My 2000 ES does this too. The wheel will be still, not moving at all, then begin to shake at about 55mph. Just a gentle side to side movement. By the time I get to 70, it intensifies 2 fold. When I apply power like going up a hill on the highway it gets worse, when I let entirely off the gas, it stops entirely. I had the car checked and the mechanic says he found nothing wrong. I tried changing wheels around, no difference, had the wheels torqued with torque sticks, and a torque wrench, no diff. Put the steelies back on it with freshly balanced tires, no diff. the car has 126,xxxx on it but is meticulously maintained. If it needs anything, it gets it. If anyone has a clue, please help. Sorry didn't mean to highjack the thread.
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occasional demons
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Post by occasional demons » Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:55 pm

Sabba:
Have all four wheels re checked checked for balance at a different place. Just because you swapped them around means nothing if they are all out about the same amount.

I had a similar problem on my Jeep XJ. It was all four tires out of balance exactly the same amount. At 50 mph it would shake violently and get worse. Sometimes it would be fine. The tire I could see, was literally wobbling back and forth a good 3 to 4 inches. After a rebalance, it was fine. Even the tire place said it wasn't out enough to cause the shake, but I insisted. After two different places said the alignment was spot on, but couldn't tell me what was causing it, it was about all that was left.

Once all 4 tires got in sync, it was enough to create all hell.

Or there is something loose inside one of the tires, randomly straining your sanity.

And That Old Guy ...
The best thing to do, is have someone follow you, and drive beside you on both sides to try to see exactly what may be shaking.
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Lantern04rt
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Post by Lantern04rt » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:51 pm

I had a bend in a rim that did this exactly even if they balanced it as best they could the bend would screw with it.
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Sabba
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Re: steering wheel shake

Post by Sabba » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:07 pm

g_force58 wrote:My 2000 ES does this too. The wheel will be still, not moving at all, then begin to shake at about 55mph. Just a gentle side to side movement. By the time I get to 70, it intensifies 2 fold. When I apply power like going up a hill on the highway it gets worse, when I let entirely off the gas, it stops entirely. I had the car checked and the mechanic says he found nothing wrong. I tried changing wheels around, no difference, had the wheels torqued with torque sticks, and a torque wrench, no diff. Put the steelies back on it with freshly balanced tires, no diff. the car has 126,xxxx on it but is meticulously maintained. If it needs anything, it gets it. If anyone has a clue, please help. Sorry didn't mean to highjack the thread.
This is it EXACTLY.

Thank you for all the suggestions, I will get the tires rebalanced (simplest tings first). Alignment has been done twice, two independent shops (second shop verified it was okay).

JeffM: No other symptoms or noises. The suspension seems a bit "clunkier" compared to my Escort, but nothing that seems out of ordinary.

I have gone through the front end with a fine-tooth comb, replaced many major components...no change.
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Donkeypuncher
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Post by Donkeypuncher » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:42 pm

A lot of places don't know how to balance the tire/wheel assembly properly. My friend had to go to 4 different discount tire locations before they did it right. Walmart of all places got mine spot on the first time, which is funny because they only charged $48 for mounting and a lifetime balance on all 4 wheels.
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zhneon
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Post by zhneon » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:43 pm

I had pretty severe wheel shake at one point as well. Ended up replacing two tires and the problem got much better. If your tire isn't -perfect- its going to add to shaking at high speeds. I think that to an extent there is always a little however. Just a little character from good ole neons
-Zack
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g_force58
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wheel shake

Post by g_force58 » Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:38 pm

Thanks Bill. Will get the wife to drive mine and I will follow her. Ok, it's official, I AM gettin old. Shloulda thought of this myself. :banghead:
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Sabba
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Post by Sabba » Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:23 pm

Please update when you have a chance...
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