Intermittent Steering Wheel Vibration
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Steering Wheel Vibration Coming In Waves
I noticed this intermittent vibration when I took the car out on the freeway today. About 70-80MPH I would get this intermittent shake, and at first I thought it was the road surface but it would phase in and out. After 70MPH, you can start to feel it come in and gets stronger and slowly fades going at that constant speed. However, I did have steering wheel vibrations from about 50-60MPH and smooth sailing any speed faster than that up until installing the ADUS Poly caster arm bushings and alignment the day prior to noticing the intermittent shaking. Now, the vibrations at that speed are gone and now comes in waves at 70-80MPH. If this helps, I did paint my wheels 2k miles ago and from what I remember that's when the vibration from 50-60MPH became noticeable.
Fresh aignment
Poly caster arm bushings
Bilstein Sports 500mi ago
New tires 3k miles ago
Replaced tie rods and LBJ 20k ago
Poly steering rack and F/R sway bushings
Thanks in advance.
Fresh aignment
Poly caster arm bushings
Bilstein Sports 500mi ago
New tires 3k miles ago
Replaced tie rods and LBJ 20k ago
Poly steering rack and F/R sway bushings
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by GS4hunnit; Jun 5, 2014 at 08:07 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I had that same problem until I replaced both my front tires. Now I can go 120 on the freeway without a single vibration, SMOOTH sailing 
. I've been down that road where I've bought brand new tires and it turned out to be defective. But try balancing the tires in front. If the problem still occurs, then rotate the front wheels to the rear and rear to the front.
. I've been down that road where I've bought brand new tires and it turned out to be defective. But try balancing the tires in front. If the problem still occurs, then rotate the front wheels to the rear and rear to the front.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I notice that braking hard and having your tires skid would cause uneven wear, but I don't think it would cause vibrations at high speeds. I had to brake hard and maneuver out of the way of a car that ran a stop sign. Once I started driving, I felt it hopping a bit, but it would go away after a week, no vibrations.
no i was implying the tires might have a flat spot somewhere if you had hit the brakes real hard recently like freeway speed to 0 in a short amount of time.
most likely the reason why you noticed vibration after you painted your wheels is you might have unknowingly removed a wheel weight that was there to balance the wheel/tire. otherwise, paint alone will not have such a strong effect where you will feel vibration. balance your front wheels again, make sure the balancing machine is correctly set to your exact wheel dimensions (wheel not tire) and that both sides register 0/0 on the machine meaning that the wheel/tire is balanced. many tire shops are careless and do not readjust their machine for different size wheels.
Trending Topics
I notice that braking hard and having your tires skid would cause uneven wear, but I don't think it would cause vibrations at high speeds. I had to brake hard and maneuver out of the way of a car that ran a stop sign. Once I started driving, I felt it hopping a bit, but it would go away after a week, no vibrations.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: ga
Try changing the sway bar links if you have not done so. I just did mine a 1/4/16 and now no vibration at all. I have 03 GS300 and had been dealing with this for 4 years after changing everything but the sway bar links. I went with the MOOG Problem Solver from Rockauto at 18.00 a piece. It tightened my front end so much that I have to remind my self to check my speed because i'm traveling too fast. Feels like it is new at this point. Takes about 20 min each side to install not counting jacking and removing the wheel. I luv driving my GS again.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 57
From: CA
If the problem really started after you painted the wheels, then absolutely have them road force balanced at a reputable shop and see if that cures it before you start spending bigger money.
Maybe in the painting process, some wheel weights were manipulated, fell off, etc.
Did you remove the tires to paint the wheels?
Maybe in the painting process, some wheel weights were manipulated, fell off, etc.
Did you remove the tires to paint the wheels?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LSneewb
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
5
Jun 24, 2019 08:44 AM
