What causes steering wheel shake???

[95Cobra302]

When I bought the car 4 years ago it did it occasionally on the highway now it seems to do it alot more. Anybody have any ideas on what it might be??

 

[donjohn]

i have the same problem and would also like to know

1. i first thought it was the rotors, changed them
2. then i thought it was the wheels not being balanced, got new wheel/tire combo still shakes
3. possibility it's the alignment, but i don't think so
4. steering rack bushings?

 

[302fordracer]

balance your wheels, get new tires if worn or worn improperly, and get an alignment..this took care of my wheel shake...

 

[1105]

does it do it only when you apply the brakes or does it do it whenever? First thing I would check if its just when you hit the brakes would be the rotors. If they arent too bad, you can get them turned fairly cheap.

 

[95Cobra302]

Yeah my alignment sucks, that could be it. Plus the outer tie-rods and balljoints need to be replaced.

 

[donjohn]

well, for me anyways, it shakes when i apply brakes and i've already replaced rotors (but i did the pads the day after... dunno if the pads could warp the rotors that quickly)

alignment is coming

do you guys think "outer tie-rods and balljoints need to be replaced" actually cause that? or could it be steering rack bushings too

 

[davins130]

low blinker fluid

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

If it shakes when you are just cruising it is most likely an unbalanced tire. My car threw a .75 ounce wheel weight on the right front a while back and the steering wheel shaked like hell between 40-55mph.

You wouldn't think a little weight would cause that, but it will.

 

[95Cobra302]

Yeah, I balance tires at work so If i get some time I put my wheels on it.

 

[illwood]

Wide tires also send more of the vibrations from irregular road surfaces through the steering wheel. Just when I start getting concerned about the vibrations in my steering wheel, I get to some recently paved roads and it goes away.