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Intermediate and inconsistent wobble on one wheel

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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 11:37 AM
  #1  
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Default Intermittent and inconsistent wobble on one wheel

Wobble happening with 3 different actions that cause it.

First off, the wobble is at 70-73mph.

1) I can drive up to 70 and be fine the whole time.
2) As I accelerate slowly from 65 up 70 the wobble will come
3) I'll be sustained at like 75mph with no wobble and if I let off the gas (or turn off the cruise control) the wobble happens again then stops when I pass the 70.

This is a problem I've had for a few years regardless if its on my 22's or my 20's. Tires are balanced and has followed when buying new tires. I cant remember if it happens with my stocks. The wobble is very similar to when lug nuts are loose in which when I turn the wheel to one side (like curve on freeway or changing lanes in a quick fashion), the wobble stops.

Since all this started, I've changed [for no related reasons] my ball joints, inner and outer tie rods twice (I think 3 times for the ball joints) and changed the steering rack and caster/control arm #2/trailing arm bushings So I know those aren't the culprit. What stumps me is that it can happen and not happen. The last thing I'm thinking is the bearing? Oh and I'm pretty sure its the driver side front wheel.

The shake is pretty violent, but whats funny is that if I go up to 80+mph, the wobble is gone, its only between 70-73.

Lastly. When I lift the car, there is NO wiggle when grabbing top to bottom or left to right.

All search's give me the same ol' balance wheels, or steering bushings and basically all that I've already fixed. This is why I made a new thread, because its a bit unique.

Last edited by Mr Jokster; Nov 30, 2013 at 09:37 AM.
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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 03:51 PM
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Have you checked your DS? Hows your Diff bushings? Besides the bearings also check the rear knuckle bushings
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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 03:59 PM
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DS = Driveshaft?

I certainly see and feel it in the steering wheel, would I feel it there if it were the diff or driveshaft?
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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr Jokster
DS = Driveshaft?

I certainly see and feel it in the steering wheel, would I feel it there if it were the diff or driveshaft?

Its hard to describe, but not directly on the Steering wheel but yes it could be mistaken for a wheel wobble.. I had this issue.. My Drive shaft has slightly bent, the only way i found out was when changing Trannys..wouldn't have noticed it otherwise..

The rear and front bearings can also do this, they are easy to check. and last all the rear bushings..
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Old Aug 26, 2013 | 02:02 AM
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caster arm #2? could be the culprit.. How many miles on the car?
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Old Aug 30, 2013 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by tmf2004
caster arm #2? could be the culprit.. How many miles on the car?
Been replaced already

Last edited by Mr Jokster; Aug 31, 2013 at 03:55 PM.
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Old Aug 31, 2013 | 05:13 AM
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I get vibration in the bottom of the seat at the same MPH (70-80) I'm sure it's the LCA #2 they are original. Discount Tire did state the wheels were off by .5 ounce and the tires in the front show signs of cupping. (Only have had the tires for 3 months)
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Old Aug 31, 2013 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by TI II
I get vibration in the bottom of the seat at the same MPH (70-80) I'm sure it's the LCA #2 they are original. Discount Tire did state the wheels were off by .5 ounce and the tires in the front show signs of cupping. (Only have had the tires for 3 months)
Thats incorrect. If you feel the vibration in your seat, thats coming from the rear not the front where the control arm #2 is.

I already mentioned my #2's are changed.
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Old Sep 1, 2013 | 11:18 AM
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Have you checked your sway bar links? Someone I know had a shimmy in the steering wheel at a very specific speed (65 mph), and their links were loose.

Might as well give your motor mounts a check too.
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Old Sep 1, 2013 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Enigmatic
Have you checked your sway bar links? Someone I know had a shimmy in the steering wheel at a very specific speed (65 mph), and their links were loose.

Might as well give your motor mounts a check too.
Hmm... I like the idea. Thanks
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 12:30 PM
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Some more info to help narrow down. I dont want to spend money on a shot in the dark. The wobble is noticeable from 45mph and all the way up. No matter what speed I'm at [now] it will wobble for like 10-20 seconds then go away wobble for a period then go away. Its not a buzz (which I believe the driveshaft would make) During a caravan to last weeks event in sacto, my fellow member mentioned he can see my car shaking (yea thats how bad). I'm prepared to buy the end-links and sway bushings, but still want to get some more input.

If it were the driveshaft, how can I check that?

EDIT: Actually I just remembered. Pops van had his driveshaft wobble, this is definitely not the driveshaft. The driveshaft was more of a strong solid mechanical wobble, I'm experiencing more of a soft wobble (as already described) and steering wheel shakes like crazy.

Last edited by Mr Jokster; Oct 5, 2013 at 12:39 PM.
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 09:24 PM
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You should throw your stock wheels back on and see if you get the same shake.
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Old Nov 30, 2013 | 01:47 AM
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Jokster did you ever figure out the problem? I'm experiencing the exact same problem, and i've already replaced the lower ball joint, upper control arm, and steering rack bushings. I had high hopes that it was the #2 arm, but after finding this thread i'm less optimistic. It drives me insane that my gf's 99 camry drives better, please help.
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Old Nov 30, 2013 | 04:24 AM
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Also if you over torque your lug nuts it causes the rotors to become warped from over torque ive been working on cars for Over 20 years and had the same problem and my lexus mechanic mentioned the over torque of lug nuts so i replaced my rotors and properly torqued lugs and wouldnt you know no wobbles
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Old Nov 30, 2013 | 04:29 AM
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You should throw your stock wheels back on and see if you get the same shake.
I thought this was the most relevant comment in the whole thread. Might try moving the problem wheel to a different corner too.
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