fpena944

I've noticed lately that at about 30 MPH my car develops a vibration in the steering wheel, but then by the time I'm up to about 40 MPH it goes away.

Any ideas what that might be?

At first I thought it might have been my brake rotors being warped (which I think they are anyway) but it also happens under acceleration as well.

I've replaced the ball joints, was told by my mechanic that the tie rods look okay but the wheel bearings might be a little loose. Would the wheel bearings be causing this problem?

RMills944

the tires are balanced okay, right? (just covering the bases first)

fpena944

It's been about a year since they've been balanced. So that is a possibility but usually don't wheel balancing issues happen at about 60 MPH and above?

daniel951

i had problems with vibration only around at 60mph then went away and it was tires. I have seen cars vibrate at lower speeds but it was because the car was wrecked before and frame was bent.

fpena944

Nope, no wrecks on this vehicle. It's something that just started recently so I believe it's a suspension or wheel problem.

Cyrus951

Are your lug nuts tight?

dualblade

if you've got a locking lug nut, is it across from the valve stem?

fpena944

Lug nuts are on pretty tight, now the locking lug being seated across from the valve stem is an interesting observation. Would that really make a difference? And if so why is it only noticable at that 30-35 MPH range?

I noticed yesterday the shaking is so bad that you can see the headlights vibrating as well. But like I said earlier, at 40 MPH the car smooths itself out again...Wierd!

RMills944

My old Dunlap's (wouldn't recommend that brand to anyone any more) vibrated at 30 and above. The tires never did really balance out right. My new Yoks are great though.

My balljoints also caused a vibration like you are talking about, but you have replaced those, so I'm not sure.

Luis de Prat

Adjust the front wheel bearings. It's cheap, and it may very well be the answer to the problem. BTDT.

peterjcb

Fernando,
Check the air pressure in your tires and also check the tire balance.
Weren't you going to replace your tie rod ends and/ or wheel bearings?

Peter

fpena944

Peter,

I was under the impression that the tie rods needed to be replaced but when I took the car to Eurowerks they told me the rods were okay but the bearings were a bit loose. I'll see if I can tighten them up this weekend.

Oh and they also found the source of my oil leak -- nothing! It was merely left over oil from the last, quite messy, oil change that I had. A little degreaser and no leaks since. Now my garage floor stays nice and clean.

Luis,

Thanks for the suggestion! By the way what does BTDT mean? (sorry, it's probably quite obvious!)

peanut

BTDC normally accepted abbreviation for `before top dead centre' but I've no idea what Luis means by it in the contect. BA I reckon (bloody annoying)!
My guess is still the wheel balancing.
The chances are one of the weights have vibrated off and left a wheel inbalance. very unlikely to be a wheel bearing which would definitly give you a grinding drone especially when you corner in the direction of the U/S bearing.
Get you wheels balanced and your tracking checked at the same time.