1998 Honda Civic - Steering Wheel Shaking

[Honda]

I've bought the car recently and there seems to be a problem with the steering wheel. I've done some research but there are so many possible reasons.

So, to keep it short:
- Steering wheel shakes pretty much at all speeds (more shake occurs at lower unstable speeds)
- Peaks of the shake happens when the car is moving
- It doesn't seem brakes is a trigger

Other information:
- It seems like the faster the car goes, the smoother the wheel is
- Brake squeak (brake pads are fine though)
- According to the maintenance records it states that the tyre has been rotated

[gen2 CRX]

Take the car to get an alignment and see if that fixes it

[hoojee]

^ agree should get an alignment first and go from there.

other possibilities could be bad wheel balancing (prominent at high speeds >80km/h), bad tierods (inners and outers), ball joints or bad wheel bearings.

To check for bad tie rods or wheel bearing, jack your fronts up and grab the tyre and wiggle it as if your trying to shimmy it off the hub. horizontal play can indicate bad tie-rod ends, vertical play, probably bad ball joints (check UCA and LCA) and play in all directions can mean bad wheel bearing. But you'll be able to hear it if it was the wheel bearing.

[Honda]

Where's a good place to get a wheel alignment? and how much should it cost?
the only place i can think of is Bob Jane T Marts...
Do you guys have any suggestions?

[kristrifo]

Where's a good place to get a wheel alignment? and how much should it cost?
the only place i can think of is Bob Jane T Marts...
Do you guys have any suggestions?

what area you from?

almost any place that sells wheels and tyres also do wheel alignments

[Honda]

Liverpool Area

[kristrifo]

bob jane on hume hwy sounds like the closest for ya

[Honda]

i think so too..
Do you have any idea how much it costs?
and should i do the "Thrust Alignment - Passenger & 4WD vehicles" or "Total Four-Wheel Alignment"
as it suggests here:
http://www.bobjane.com.au/services/wheel-alignment

[hoojee]

think bob jane charges $70 for wheel alignment. if you have a fulcrum near you, they do a free check up on the condition of your suspension. They put your car upon this ramp thing and shakes up your car. pretty cool.

try the method above first. If you have bad tie rods, you have to realign once you replace them.

Also, if your suspension parts a worn, it'll only be a matter of time until your alignment becomes off again, so i suggest fix them first and get an alignment.

[Honda]

think bob jane charges $70 for wheel alignment. if you have a fulcrum near you, they do a free check up on the condition of your suspension. They put your car upon this ramp thing and shakes up your car. pretty cool.


What is a Fulcrum? And how would i check if the suspension parts are worn?

[kristrifo]

i got mine done from tempe tyres, $70 for wheel alignment and balence

[Honda]

think bob jane charges $70 for wheel alignment. if you have a fulcrum near you, they do a free check up on the condition of your suspension. They put your car upon this ramp thing and shakes up your car. pretty cool.


is the $70 including wheel alignment + balancing?
Also, Do i need a wheel balancing? and what does it do?

[gen2 CRX]

Come to think about it check your powersteering fluid too

[Honda]

Come to think about it check your powersteering fluid too

I've checked the fluids and it is just below mid way between high and low

On a side note (not sure if it is relevant) When I'm driving and I'm idle on a traffic light, while holding the brakes and pulling the handbrakes up. I notice the car drops down when I let go of the brakes with handbrakes on

Could this be a possible suspension issue or is this normal?

[Setanta]

Take it to a mechanic that is not Peddars or Bob Janes - they are rip of merchants that will look for 1000 things that they can tell you are wrong that may or may not need fixing as part of their "tests". All wheel places do alignments as do many mechanics.

Possibilities: Ball joints, steering components, buckled rims (this happens more than people realise), bearings (as hoojee pointed out) warped brake rotors and worn rubber bushings anywhere. Also consider that a tire might be stuffed, not worn but they can bubble or deform or flatspot.

I've had cases where even a buckled rear wheel in a FWD or stuffed bushes out back have caused the car to shimmy. Bottom line is that you should take it to a specialist to get it checked.

[Honda]

i got mine done from tempe tyres, $70 for wheel alignment and balence

was this recently? as i got a quote from them for wheel alignment and balancing for $80?

[Lukey]

On a side note (not sure if it is relevant) When I'm driving and I'm idle on a traffic light, while holding the brakes and pulling the handbrakes up. I notice the car drops down when I let go of the brakes with handbrakes on

Could this be a possible suspension issue or is this normal?

this is normal with an automatic.

if you put it in reverse the rear will lift up instead of squat down

[kristrifo]

was this recently? as i got a quote from them for wheel alignment and balancing for $80?

just under a year ago, im due in for a balance and alignment myself

[Honda]

just under a year ago, im due in for a balance and alignment myself

Bob Janes quoted me $49 for alignment if that helps

Also, balance is $10 per wheel

If you are going to get new tyres maybe you should get them before the alignments + balance (balance is free for new tyres)

they also have those deals where if you buy 2 tyres + alignment- you get certain bonuses