steering wheel shakes
 

I have a 2001 4 door Elantra w/ 102k auto trans.
When I drive on the freeway (65-70 mph) I feel a moderate shaking through the steering wheel. I cannot feel the vibration at lower speeds. It is not so bad that the whole car shakes, just enough to annoy the driver.
I just had new tires installed and replaced a bent rim. I also had the alignment done but the right tire could not be brought into specs. The work was done at sears and they told me that there was not an adjustment for caster & camber.
The shaking does seem a little better after the work but it is still there.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mark

RE: steering wheel shakes
 

What you describe (steering vibration that worsens with speed) is typical of a ball joint going bad. Have a mechanic good at diagnosing suspension problems take a look at it.

RE: steering wheel shakes
 

your tires need balancing, it's also possible that you have a bad belt in one of your tires. ball joint has nothing to do with speed, if a ball joint was bad you wouldhear noise when you go in a pot holeor over a bump.

RE: steering wheel shakes
 

I'm still suspicious of a bad balljoint since the right [front] could not be aligned properly. I should have said "vibration at speed" is characteristic of a bad balljoint. Madindian1 is correct in that a vibration that changes frequency with changes in speed is not typical for a balljoint problem. With a balljoint issue, you'll reach a certain speed and then have the vibration. Poor choice of words on my part. The thunk described by Madindian1 depends on how bad the balljoint actually is, and how many potholes you actual plow through. I assumed Sears balanced the new tires when you had them installed. Bad tire belt? Yes, new or nearly new tires can have slipped or seperated belts, in which case, Sears should replace it for free.

RE: steering wheel shakes
 

I have the same problem. Shaking starts at 60 MPH and is the same through 70MPH, then it's less at 80MPH. I have a 2001 Elantra GT Hatchback with 88,000 miles. Yesterday, I changed the front rotors and brakes (shaking was going on before this). Today, I had the wheels balanced and the car aligned. I'm so frustrated that the balancing didn't work. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My next step is going to be to take it to the dealer...ugh!