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Alignment problem or tire balancing problem or both?

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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
DFry97's Avatar
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Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Greater Toronto Area
Alignment problem or tire balancing problem or both?

When i drive at around 100km/h my steering wheel shakes quite a bit. Also it feels like my car pulls one way slightly and it looks like my steering wheel is slightly angled. I assume its an alignment problem and maybe my tires are not balanced either. It doesn't really affect the driving but i assume its something i should get checked out. Anyone else ever have this problem?
Old Mar 10, 2016 | 03:26 PM
  #2  
Will's Avatar
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From: Toronto, Canada
Check your tire pressure first and make sure they're all uniform.

Improper balance can also be possible. Check also that there aren't a lot of little pebbles embedded in the tread. If there are lots of those, it can cause some vibrations. Of course, make sure everything is tight. GTA roads are not great overall as you know.

If you haven't had an alignment in years, chances are you can use one, but start with the three basics first (tire pressure correction, no unusual things embedded in the treads, suspension check to make sure ball joints and tie rods are tight).
Old Mar 10, 2016 | 05:01 PM
  #3  
maxinout93's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Columbia SC
make sure the tires have tread, and your tie rods are good. Ive got the same issue at high speeds my steering wheel shakes slightly, and when braking sometimes the left wheel there is movement. I went to a shop and they told me driverside inner tie rod end is bad
Old Mar 10, 2016 | 06:01 PM
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From: The Northeast
Good tips above. I'd do some quick diagnosis before going to a shop. It's free and can be done in your driveway.

First, cross-rotate your front tires. If the direction of the pull changes, something's up with those tires. Next, rotate the tires regularly, i.e., front-to-back and back-to-front. If the vibrations go away or you now feel them in the seats versus steering wheel, you'll again know something's up with the tires now in the back.

Last edited by mclasser; Mar 10, 2016 at 06:09 PM.
Old Mar 11, 2016 | 03:52 AM
  #5  
Turbonut's Avatar
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If not familiar with mechanics, first get and alignment as the Tech should check the front suspension components/tires to see if any wear, then set the toe and correct the steering wheel, as long as they aren't too lazy. If the wheel is still cocked, take it back and have them do it again.
Vibration issues at higher speeds are usually due to an out of balance condition, but irregular tread wear, bent wheel(s) can also cause the problem and pulling , as stated above, can be a bad tire so rotation can be helpful.

Find one of these and hopefully they also do alignments, so everything can be done at once:
http://www.hunter.com/gsp9700
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