Q: Steering/ front end vibration at high speeds

asked by on October 07, 2016

When I got the car I was told the struts were bad and needed to be replaced. The new set actually came with the car. The only symptom was the steering wheel would shake when I reached 50 and at 65 stopped. Really wasn't that bad the faster I made it to 65 it was over anyway. Braking didn't affect it at all. After a while it got worse as far as it would shake at a slower speed. I first changed the drivers side strut. I know you should do both but that's the side it seems to come from and I was in a hurry do to my busy work schedule. No change so I rotated my tires still no change it just got worse where it started at 40 to 70 so I just stopped driving it. I have checked everything. Lower and upper control arms tie rods everything I shook everything in every direction and nothing seems bad. I had someone follow and watch for tire wobble and there's none. Tires all look good no wear it's not toed in either direction. Any ideas?

My car has 138000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hey there. I would recommend checking your intermediate shaft from the steering wheel to the rack and pinion. If the joint on your intermediate shaft has failed, this can cause the steering wheel to shake at certain speeds. If the intermediate shaft joint has failed, the entire intermediate shaft will require replacement to resolve this issue. I would certainly recommend having this repair performed by a professional because the alignment of these parts is crucial to the vehicles performance and handling. A certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your location to inspect your steering and suspension and advise you on any needed repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I defog the windshield?
It’s not safe to drive the car when the windshield gets fogged up. Defogging it ensures you can see where you’re going. Located the button for the front defroster, which is located above the button for vents and feet. Press...
Slow leak in tire
Hello. It is common to lose a small amount of air over time. Usually about a pound or two of pressure a month is normal. If it is leaking faster than that then it amy have something stuck in the...
Reliability and the four wheel drive system - 2016 Subaru Forester
Hello. I will be glad to help you relative to your question about the reliability of the 2016 Forester. "Reliability" data on all vehicles is available from at least two very significant and authoritative sources. The first is the NHTSA...
Low coolant temperature, thermostat issue
Hey there. If a new thermostat has been installed, I believe one of two things could be your issue. Either the thermostat you purchased is somehow faulty even as a brand new part or the cooling fan on your vehicle...
Coolant reservoir empties in one trip
If the radiator cap has failed (i.e. it doesn't hold the specified pressure built up in the cooling system when the car is running), the cap will prematurely open while the car is running and coolant will flow into the...
I have a problem with my C240 - the gear won't shift from one
Since your question is not very specific, I will address a couple of situations. If by "my gear won't shift from one to others" you mean the shifter will not move between park, reverse, and drive (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-does-not-shift-from-park-to-drive-inspection), that can be...
Car is struggling to turn over
Hello. Thanks for writing in. To start, lets determine what you mean by "struggling to turn over". Does it sound like the starter is working at its prime, and the problem is with the engine? Or does the starter lag...
Should I buy a car if the person lost the keys?
Hi There, Depending on the type of vehicle, this may be a bit expensive to have the vehicle either re-keyed or have new key fobs purchased and re-flashed to the car's computer You may also want to consider having a...
Transmission
Your car has an electronically controlled transmission, so whatever occurred will have left traces in the form of trouble codes in the transmission control module. These codes can be read and interpreted by a technician with the appropriate equipment. The...

Related articles

How to Buy Good Quality Suspension Springs
Coil Coil springs, also known as suspension springs, are the part of your vehicle that helps cut down on the excessive up and down movement when you are driving. These springs support the vehicle and soak up the bumps that...
How Long Does a Steering Damper Last?
Most Most of us are used to being able to enjoy smooth, precise movement when we turn the steering wheel in our vehicle. That is made possible by a combination of different components, including the splines that mate the steering...
How to Replace Your Car's Drag Link
Drag links are an important part of your cars steering and suspension systems. Common signs of failure include loose steering and uneven tire wear.