So after changing quite a few components in my steering/suspension, I got rid of my 60+ MPH shake. It all started with a simple preventative lower ball joint repair job. Then I figure out I might as well do outer tie rod ends. The shake was still there so I looked around and found out that I have bad upper control arms so I replaced both sides. Still a no go. I read about adjusting the pre-tensioner and although that helped a little, it was not the permanent fix. I took my car in to get an alignment and was told that I needed an inner tie rod end so I threw that in. The shake was still there. So I did more researching and thought to myself, "if I needed one inner tie rod, wouldn't the other one be in need of replacing too?". So I replaced the other inner tie rod and instantly, it felt like 50% of the shake was gone. While driving to get another alignment (lucky me, I have a 5 year program), I noticed the shake get more violent as I get faster. I've seen this before...wheels are off balance. My final alignment and balancing of all 4 wheels fixed this problem. Funny thing is, these wheels were mounted and balanced before they were shipped to me about a month ago. Today, I'm shake free, at least for now (knock on wood). Sorry for the long story, I'm just happy. This thing drives like a new car! Hope this helps some of you chasing that shake. Don't overlook your inner tie rod end!

 

My shake was due to bad wheel balance.

 

Replacing my transmission & motor mounts took care of the shakes. Try that next.

 

I used to have like really scary shakes when going 60+mph a few months ago, and I totally did the same thing as you. Replaced all bushings, outer tie rod, well (I was really gonna) replace the rack and pinion which included the inner tie rods, engine and tranny mounts and wheel balanced (countless times). And there's this one mechanic, who kept telling me if it's only above 60+mph it's wheel balance, and I told him did it so many times so that couldn't be it, in the end it turns out that it really is the wheel balance. Alot of these shops, they run the wheel balance once, and once they stick those weights on they don't run it again to make sure that it is already balanced, which was explained to me by the shop who fixed my shakes that that is the wrong way to balance. The correct way is you shouldn't stop running it on the machine until the wheel is completely balanced to the smallest ounce.

 

It kinda helps to know people who care too. In my situation, the service manager who took care of my car used to work for a different shop that bought parts from my old work place (Oreilly's). When I found out that he got transferred 30 miles away, I made the trip because I knew it would be done right if I did. I even got a little discount on the balancing and it feels good when they say "just because it's you". Find a good shop for situations like this, keep them happy, and you'll stay happy.

NOW, for some of you, your problem could very well be caster arm bushings (mine were cracked a little but not to the point of replacing), wheel bearings, or steering rack bushings. I was going to make the move to these parts if this didn't fix it today but I'm glad I could put that off for a second. One last thing, some shops can check to see if your wheels are correctly balanced or not before proceeding to balance them.

 

I spent some time as a lube tech and one of the things we were tought to look for when a vehicle vibrates is proper air pressure, balance the wheels(before and after)hub centric, proper tire size(if running stock wheels)any separation in the tread. There is much to look for when you get vibration. Its best to start with checking the wheels and tires then move on to suspension from there. But like mentioned above, balance the wheels, add or remove wieght, then re balance until the balace zero's out. Repeat to the rest of the wheels.

 

That is totally right oslouie. I'm actually the kind of guy who is loyal until you do me wrong. The guy who does my alignment is an hour and a half drive, but I've been so satisfied on how he does my alignment that I'm too scared to try elsewhere. Anyways its not like you get an alignment on a daily basis, so I don't really mind the travel as long as you do me right. Right? But back to the topic..LOL

 

Where's this place you travel an hr and half to? I'm still looking for good shops here in SoCal.

 

NICE GOOD JOB....i have no shaking problem yet....but i gotta change my lower ball joint soon...i knock on wood every day bec im at 156k and i dontthink they were ever changed bec i got the car at 60k

 

JC Autohouse
9237 Lower Azusa Rd Unit O, Temple City, CA 91780

What I love about this guy is he explains to you what he have done without even asking him, and he really helps you understand about suspension alignment.

Try searching the name in Yelp and all he have are good to great reviews. The only thing bad about this guy is his english, LOL. Some people say he's the alignment God, but the more normal people I talked to say he used to be head of Porche's suspension development before starting his own shop.

 

You are playing russian roulette there buddy!!

 

Get er' done done! It's not that hard. The only thing that I had trouble with was the two bolts holding the ball joint onto the lower control arm. Those bolts have Loctite red on them so you'll need to heat them up or an impact driver. I heated them up then used a ratchet with socket and tap the handle with a hammer.

 

OK THANX..for the update before i went to do it...I'm def heating them up lol..I need to do it this week bec CLFL having a big meet this Sunday and i'll be dam if it goes out on me in front of over 100 Lexus's lol

 

That's kinda like my luck lol!

 

Mine was not that bad but it seems to have gone away after I got new tires (and balancing) like a few of you.