This has been a issue since i have owned my car and i havent really done anything about it because the issue seems to be hit and miss. The problem is that while driving and going about 60-65 the steering wheel shakes, at first thought i was like ok the balancing is off, the crazy thing is it didnt do it all the time, sometimes it would shake the wheel other times it would be smooth. Then i ended up getting new tires and still had the issue, took it back made sure they were balanced correct and still seem to have the issue. Once again it's odd because sometimes it does it, other times it doesnt. I dont think it's a balancing issue but i suppose it could be. Do you guys have any thoughts on what the issue could be? Or perhaps have any of you had the same issue?

Thank's,
Scott

 

alignment.
also check the steering rack. could be loose.

 

x2 on alignment

 

Well there is a thread about people talking about their steering rack going so maybe you should have that check first under warranty!

 

Awesome, thanks for the quick input guys.

 

actually first check ur rims and see if u have dirt caked on the inside of them, if u have dirt in one and not the other, or just half the rim inside is dirty and half isnt, ur car will vibrate like crazy. clean them out good and see what happens. alignment has never caused my steering wheel to shake, it just usually pulls to one side.
start with the easiest and most obvious causes first then go to the other ones like alignment and stuff, it will save u alot of headachs and u will find the problem faster.

Start with the easiest makes for good troubleshooting. Good thing to learn.

 

It just seems really odd that it doesnt do it all the time. I would think if the balancing/alignment was off it would do it every time. It's odd though, for example i could go to the store have 0 issues, come back home and notice it. I'm at a total loss on what it could be. Perhaps it's the steering rack.

 

This is going to sound really stupid I know. But does it do it on the same road all the time?

I had this issue also and finally figured out it was the road. I drove on it when the light was hitting it JUUUUST right and was able to see little tiny ripples in the pavement. For a while I was going nuts about it.

PS - it was asphalt on a four-lane highway that Semi's use a lot.

 

^^^i agree! some roads will set some things crazy (slight wobble/shake). also, like posted before, check for the most common things: bad tire, lost/bad balancing weights (hitting pot holes or curbs helps with this one), ball joints, tie rod ends, steering column and racks. the cobalt (all chevys for that matter) are prone to bad columns and steering racks. start easy, then work to the tech needed tests. if you think it still might be a bad rim or tire/balance issue, rotate the tires (front to back or vise versa) and see if it stops or changes frequency...good luck

 

i've had this happen sometimes to me but its just the car has been sitting and the tires almost flat spot them selves it goes away after they warm up, i dunno just an idea!

 

Unbalanced front wheel.