'95 Corolla shakes at highway speeds

[rmcdaniels]

Anyone know anything about these? I've replaced the strut cartridges (re-used the springs, they seemed fine), had the alignment checked, and had the tires balanced, but it still has an annoying wobble that I can feel through the steering wheel at highway speeds (75-80 MPH). The wheel bearings feel fine, no play, same for the tie rod ends, and I did a visual inspection of the bushings and can't see any obvious deterioration. The car drives perfectly other than the vibration. The car has 165,000 miles on it.

[Conrad]

is it worse when you turn?

[rmcdaniels]

I don't really turn too much in a '95 Corolla at 80 MPH, other than sweeping turns on the highway. It's mostly noticeable cruising in a straight line.


Edit - You're thinking axles?

[saabracr]

Bent wheel?

[rmcdaniels]

The original steelies were warped as hell, so I replaced them with new alloy wheels. the tires were almost new, so I kept them as they balance out fine. I thought about maybe replacing the tires, they are cheap enough, but they do look really good and have a lot of tread on them.

[Martian]

Roger, do the new alloy wheels have the centering rings in them? if not they could be offset just enough to get wobble at highspeeds.

[Rhythm Kid]

Check your Tie Rod ends and ball joints. . .give them a shake when the car is up, if you feel some end play i bet you thats it. . .Bent wheel? hehehe, doubt it. . .but could be =/

[Skaterkid]

How about cupped tires?

[marcrx5]

Bent wheel?

+1 When you had them balanced, did they check for out of round wheels and tires. I used to see alot of this problem, and people would always just try to blame me for not balancing thier tire correctly.

Roger, do the new alloy wheels have the centering rings in them? if not they could be offset just enough to get wobble at highspeeds.

+1 Hubcentric rings may be all you need.

[Mark_H]

Possibly a bad tire. Did you try rotating the tires front to back? If not, try that and see if it continues. I've encountered 1 or 2 bad tires that have caused similar issues.
Mark

[PhntmSk8r]

Im thinking a cupped tire, or broken belt tire.

Tie rod ends/ball joints if worse comes to worse.

[Mark_H]

Im thinking a cupped tire, or broken belt tire.

Word. Thats what I was referring to, I just couldn't remember exactly what can happen. Apparently the steel belts in the tire can break or even poke inward on the tire(happened to a tire of mine once) causing various problems.
M

[rmcdaniels]

Thanks for the input, I'll take the wheels off of it see how they fit on the hubs. I had thought about the tires, the old steel wheels were pretty badly warped, maybe that caused some damage to the tires. The sidewalls look fine though, as does the tread. Maybe I'll just replace them, tires for this thing are pretty cheap. I'd hate to replace them and not fix anything though.

[Mark_H]

Thanks for the input, I'll take the wheels off of it see how they fit on the hubs. I had thought about the tires, the old steel wheels were pretty badly warped, maybe that caused some damage to the tires. The sidewalls look fine though, as does the tread. Maybe I'll just replace them, tires for this thing are pretty cheap. I'd hate to replace them and not fix anything though.

Just by rotating them initially, you'll be able to tell if the viration lessens or if it moves to the rear, in which it could be a bad tire.

[riceburner700]

sometimes i have had were the strands inside the tire go all to shit and that will throw off your balance. basicly you will need a new tire(s) go to a tire shop and ask them to OEM match your tires and do a road force test

[HONDA GHANDI]

I vote bad tire (broken cord internally) or one of them has a gallon of fix a flat in it.

[rmcdaniels]

It was non-hub-centric wheels. I called the place that I bought the wheels from and they forgot to put the hub rings in them. I went and got the rings and no more shaking. Thanks for all the input.

[Martian]

What did I win for guessing this one right? lol, glad you got it straightened out Roger.

[rmcdaniels]

Next time you're in Raleigh, I'll buy you a beer (provided you're 21). Of course I'm hardly ever in Raleigh any more, so that may be tough to do.

[Martian]

More then old enough and thanks. Although doubtful, I'm not a big fan of the atlantic side of things.