I have an 93 se with 156k miles. I have noticed here lately that since it has gotten cold my wheels when I first start driving, after the car has been sitting a little while, seem like they almost are bouncing. My steering wheel will vibrate and sort of rotate a 1/4" during the vibration. Normally, I would think the tires are out of balance, but have had that checked. After driving a few minutes the vibration will leave and the wheel will be smooth. Speed generally does not make a difference and one time at 70mph it might vibrate a little and the next it won't. I have never replaced the shocks/struts on the car. Could this be the problem? Also, I haven't checked, but does the se have all struts or struts in the front and shocks in the back? Any help would be appreciated.

 

sounds more like bad rotors. Have them checked, new ones arent expensive.

 

But, if it was rotors, would you feel it when you brake and pretty much all the time? My thinking is that when I feel the wheels bounce/vibrate, the shocks are not absorbing the road and when it smooths out, they are. Could this be?

 

Shocks are worn to all hell by 156,000 miles. They were probably worn out 75,000 miles ago. Replace them and check the ball joints, wheel bearings and suspension bushings while your down there.

 

A 'shock' is really a damper - meaning all it does is regulate how fast the wheel will return to the ground AFTER it hits a bump. If your struts (all 4 corners) were completely gone, or very close to shot, you'd know it because all that damping capability would be gone. In other words, whenever you hit a bump, the car would repeatedly bounce until the springs lost that energy.
Springs hold the car up and return the wheel to it's correct position. Shocks, Struts, Dampers (all the same thing) regulate how fast the wheel returns to that position.

If you're experiencing a vibration, it could be a multitude of things (cars are complex after all - with many parts working hand in hand). Start with the most obvious and cheapest solutions and work from there. For example, I would check to make sure you don't have any snow on the inside of the rim. Then I would check both tie-rod ends (hold the wheels straight - any play would become exagerated as speed increased). Wheel bearings are a possibility, but if they were that bad, you should have heard a whining sound recently. Could be a worn CV joint as well.
I'd check your rims, then, if that's not it, take it in for a free suspension inspection someplace. If it's obvious - they'll find it.

 

what kind would you recommend? I would like to put a high performance shock/strut, but don't have the premium price to put into it. Would you think KYB's would be a good option?

 

what kind would you recommend? I would like to put a high performance shock/strut, but don't have the premium price to put into it. Would you think KYB's would be a good option?

 

FYI 3rd gens have stuts all the way around