Steering Wheel Shaking

[abravesfan00]

When I'm on the interstate going around 65-70, my steering wheel shakes or vibrates. It's not horrible, but it's still frustrating. I've checked my tie rods and there didn't seem to be any play in them. My shocks are bad and plan on replacing them this weekend, but those wouldn't cause this? Any ideas on what this may be? Or any other way to check tie rods? Thank you

 

[KPSquared]

When was the last time you had your tires balanced? When was your last wheel alignment. Those are usually 2 causes of a shimmy. If you go in for an alignment, they will tell you if you steering components are worn.

Make sure there is no mud or dirt built up on the inside of your rims as well.

 

[Electrohacker]

actually if your shocks were bad for any ammount of time, they could cause this.


check for tire cupping, the inside of the tread, it would look all jagged.

rotate your tires when you do your shocks and it should clear right up

dont rotate before the shocks or you'll cup the other pair

 

[FloridaState]

My old Mustang did this REALLY bad when going anything over about 60mph. I never found out why it did, as I totaled it before I could find out what was wrong.
But I think it's partially because -before it was totaled- it was wrecked more times than I have fingers, so stuff was all jacked up I'm sure. Has your X ever been wrecked or anything?

 

[abravesfan00]

never has been wrecked or anything.. i had them rotated and balanced 2k ago.. i have an alignment right after my t bars were twisted so about 9 months ago.. thanks for the input

 

[bisjoe]

Is it worse when you brake? If so check for warped rotors, they will make it shake when rolling but are worse when you step on the pedal.

 

[nelsona19]

tires with slipped belt or out of round, possible warped rotor/s , out of balance tires, loose ball joints or tie rods, i'd probably rotate tires first and see if it changes to eliminate tires, if you feel it in the brake pedal when brakeing or it worsens its probbably a warped rotor with a stuck caliper or caliper slides

 

[abravesfan00]

its only bad when i get on the interstate.. i don't notice it when braking and cruising around town.

 

[Electrohacker]

that's a sign of tire cupping

 

[abravesfan00]

what exactly is that

 

[Electrohacker]

look at the inside tread on your front tires

if the look jagged like something cut the treads but its all the way around the tire, this is cupping. it's named for the fact it causes hollow voids in every other tread that resemble a cup. you'll feel the vibration from this worse at higher speeds but if those tires get rotate to the rear then you wont feel it and they'll wear smooth again

it's caused by bad shocks

here's a website with pictures http://www.procarcare.com/includes/content/resourcecenter/encyclopedia/ch25/25readtirewear.html

 

[abravesfan00]

got another question.. when i start my car in the morning after a night of sitting, she starts fine and rpms will go to two like it normally does then my engine idles down to just under one, then idle up to just above one and half. A week ago, it wasn't doing this. It would start and rpms jump to two and then idle down to just above one and a half. I put a new iac valve on it the other cause my other one was bad, but i do not know what could be causing this. Any suggestions?