Steering Wheel Dance At Speed...

[BIGRED]

Hello all,

I own a 1999 Toyota Avensis CDX and on a recent trip to the coast i found out that my steering wheel likes to do a little dance at 70-80MPH (i think its trying to do the twist?) The steering wheel vibrates and starts to shimey from left to right! (only minor movement but enough to give me vibration white finger) Now when i speeded up to 90-100MPH (on track officer ;) ) it was fine!

Ive tried to pin point whats vibrating in the car when on the motorway and it feels like the steering wheel/front dash/centre console.

I havent bothered with the tracking or wheel geomotrey because that wont cause the vibration its more to do with the tyre wear but before i invest in changing multiple parts (mintex disks and pads/17" wheels and tyres/wheel nuts all round) i want to know who else has had this problem or currently got this problem and what theyve done to cure it?

Please help me if you can or know how

Cheers regards Mike.

[Fat Slob]

If you don't have any problems under braking such as judder etc I would say it's just a simple balance problem, especially as you can drive through it. Go to a decent tyre specialist (not ATS, Kwik Fit etc)and get them properly balanced then start looking at the tyres and stuff if it still persists.

[BIGRED]

Just been back to "NATIONAL tyres and autocentre)" to have the rear wheels balanced and put on the front to rule out a buckled alloy or duff tyre, took her for a spin and the vibration is still there you can actually feel it through the floor pan at 70-80MPH but when you get to 90-100MPH (on the track offficer ;) ) its completley gone!

They said either the tyre's are too old and they are showing signs of being un-even or the alloys have actually become mishapped? all i know is they are the original upgrade wheels from toyota so theyre about 6-7 years old!

Think im going to upgrade to 17 inch next month and keep it off the motorway until then!

All help on this appreciated though guys...

[cfc1]

Yes.. sounds like the wheels are out of balance, get them checked.. and any good tyre specialist should be able to tell you if there are any other problems with the wheels or tyres (buckles or tyre distortion)

[Andy40]

They said either the tyre's are too old and they are showing signs of being un-even or the alloys have actually become mishapped? all i know is they are the original upgrade wheels from toyota so theyre about 6-7 years old!

Surely when they balanced them they would notice if the wheels or tyres were out of shape instead of just guessing. I agree still seems like a balance problem. Maybe a second opinion and balance is needed.

[BIGRED]

They said either the tyre's are too old and they are showing signs of being un-even or the alloys have actually become mishapped? all i know is they are the original upgrade wheels from toyota so theyre about 6-7 years old!

Surely when they balanced them they would notice if the wheels or tyres were out of shape instead of just guessing. I agree still seems like a balance problem. Maybe a second opinion and balance is needed.

But doesnt the wheel balance machine run at a low speed? Im sure it doesnt replicate the motion of the wheel spining at 70-80MPH...

Just ordered some new wolfrace 17" alloys but i will have to wait a few more weeks before i get the tyres... then i will now if the problems sorted...

Anymore advice or solutions still appreciated though...

[Mackers]

As said above, your wheela are out of balance, it doesn't matter what speed the machine works at, get it checked out, and i recon you'll be about 10-15 grams out per wheel. ;)