Steering Wheel Vibration

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by stellarroadie, Jul 7, 2006.

  1. '97 Saturn SL1, 110k miles

    So this has recently started, and it is scaring me while driving. Not all
    the time, but sometimes the wheel will start to vibrate violently for a
    period of time. It is not strong enough to alter the direction that I am
    driving, but enough to be very noticeable. It will go away after about
    five minutes of driving, then it will return after about five minutes. I
    just had new tires put on and I had the alignment done. I have started to
    drive my other car in the mean time, but if you have any idea as to what
    could be happening, I would love to hear it.

    Thanks.
     
    stellarroadie, Jul 7, 2006
    #1
  2. stellarroadie

    Lane Guest

    Most likely it is a wheel balance problem. Take it back to the shop that
    mounted the tires and tell them the symptoms. If it was recent enough, they
    should rebalance it for no charge to see if it takes care of the problem.

    Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]
     
    Lane, Jul 7, 2006
    #2
  3. stellarroadie

    wavy Guest

    I think you may have lost a balancing weight.
    Take it back to the place where you had the tires put on, tell them
    you've got a bad shimmy. They should probably fix it for free.
    -WaV
     
    wavy, Jul 7, 2006
    #3
  4. stellarroadie

    SnoMan Guest


    It could indeed be a balancing issue but I would not rule out
    alignment or possible bad CV joints if everything else checks out.
     
    SnoMan, Jul 7, 2006
    #4
  5. I already had the weights checked out. All was good. I don't think that
    it really has anything to do with the new tires.
     
    stellarroadie, Jul 7, 2006
    #5
  6. stellarroadie

    SnoMan Guest

    Idirectly it does because you have change the rotating mass on front
    axle. It could be a alignment issue and/or a problem with worn/loose
    front end parts.
     
    SnoMan, Jul 7, 2006
    #6
  7. Was it doing it before the new tires? There's your answer.
     
    Steve Barker LT, Jul 7, 2006
    #7

  8. You could have lost a weight, that balanced your tire. Are you
    changing speed, or at a certain speed when the vibration is happening?

    just a guess,

    tom @ www.CarFleaMarket.com
     
    Tom The Great, Jul 7, 2006
    #8
  9. When does it do it? Is it when you apply the brakes? Or is it while
    driving? If it's while braking I'd suspect warped brake rotors. Saturn did
    have a problem there but I think they did remedy it before 1997 though.
     
    Chris Ehlbeck, Jul 7, 2006
    #9
  10. I had the new tires on. It worked fine for about a month. Then about one
    month into the new tires it started. Slightly at first, but as time went
    on it got stronger.

    It happens when I drive and when I brake. The speed of the vibration does
    not change with the change in gear, but it does change with the change in
    speed.

    I took it to the place that did my tires. We checked the weights and the
    alignment. All they do it tires, so they did not check anything else.
    They said that my tie rods looked fine. I have not taken it in anywhere
    else yet, but I think that I am going to soon.
     
    stellarroadie, Jul 8, 2006
    #10
  11. stellarroadie

    SnoMan Guest


    Have you rotated the tires to see if it changes?
     
    SnoMan, Jul 8, 2006
    #11
  12. You have a tire out of balance. If they did not take each tire and put it
    back on the balancer, then they have no idea if it's right or not.
     
    Steve Barker LT, Jul 8, 2006
    #12
  13. stellarroadie

    wavy Guest

    I remember that I was getting a pretty bad shake at high speed when one
    of my front wheel bearings went out....

    (94 SC2)
    -WaV
     
    wavy, Jul 9, 2006
    #13
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