Steering wheel vibration

[9ELVNTT]

What could be the source of steering wheel vibration if you know for sure it's not the wheels/tire balancing, brakes/rotors or struts. Most vibration around 70 mph.

[jmitro]

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/59-SUSPEN-Suspen_Overhaul/59-SUSPEN-Suspen_Overhaul.htm

tie rods or front tuning forks would be most likely reason.

I replaced all of this including brakes and I still get some chassis vibration at high speed. I suspect it may be inherent in an open top car

[9ELVNTT]

Thanks! I'll try looking into tie rods

[mighty mouse]

You might want to check the age of your tires also. Old tires can vibrate at higher speeds even if there's a lot of tread left. You don't want one blowing out at 70 MPH.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by 9ELVNTT

What could be the source of steering wheel vibration if you know for sure it's not the wheels/tire balancing, brakes/rotors or struts. Most vibration around 70 mph.

You know for sure meaning you observed the wheel/tire combo spinning smoothly with no up & down movement on a wheel balancer?


Or you just had them balanced? Big difference.

[9ELVNTT]

Yes, tires are brand new and installed with Hunter balancer with road force. Just waiting for this southern Cal rain to stop.

[mikefocke]

And while on the machine, they were checked to make sure the weren't bent by observing the edge of the wheel as it spun slowly with a reference point held against/near it. I ask because I once found 3 of my wife's wheels were bent by testing like that.

[drophead987]

Check if the tires are directional tread. Did you rotate them recently without dismounting them?

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by drophead987

Check if the tires are directional tread. Did you rotate them recently without dismounting them?

Should not affect ride quality unless the tread is wearing unevenly.

[drophead987]

Having a directional tire rotating in the wrong direction may not always create steering wheel shake but it definitely did in my case. 9ELVNTT might have something more serious going on here but “never overlook the obvious”.

[racer]

Its been a month and no update..

Did you double check that the lugs are torqued correctly?

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by drophead987

Having a directional tire rotating in the wrong direction may not always create steering wheel shake but it definitely did in my case. 9ELVNTT might have something more serious going on here but “never overlook the obvious”.

Not on new tires.

[Jeff Alton]

OP doesn't state if you can "drive through" the vibration. As in it goes away above a certain speed. If so it is tied to some rotational factor (wheel, tire, rotor etc). If it stays, could be a bushing problem or something as simple as an incorrect toe setting.

[BYprodriver]

What has changed on the car ?? New tires & the balancing of those tires & wheels.

[9ELVNTT]

Sorry guys, car has been mostly sitting in the garage. All tires are new, wheels are straight, pointed in the right direction, Hunter road forced. I took off the front wheels and there's no abnormal play when I try to wiggle the brake rotors to see if it's tie rods. I didn't actually see if there was play in the rods, but I'll probably go ahead and just replace the rods and control arms.

Vibration starts early around 30mph but most noticeable at 70ish.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by 9ELVNTT

Sorry guys, car has been mostly sitting in the garage. All tires are new, wheels are straight, pointed in the right direction, Hunter road forced. I took off the front wheels and there's no abnormal play when I try to wiggle the brake rotors to see if it's tie rods. I didn't actually see if there was play in the rods, but I'll probably go ahead and just replace the rods and control arms.

Vibration starts early around 30mph but most noticeable at 70ish.

What brand & size tires?

[drophead987]

A flaw in one of the new tires is possible especially if you noticed it right after getting the tires....it’s been known to happen. See if your tire guy can work with you or if you have a friend with a Porsche that you could swap tires with for a road test.