hey guys, so last week my tires were humming very badly. I eventually figure out that the car needed a new wheel bearing, so I replaced both front bearings. Wheel noise is gone. Then, I noticed that the car and steering wheel shakes at about 75-80 mph. Not only shakes, but it also rattles a considerable amount, and I thought it was my hubcaps, until I took them off and drove it again. I know it can’t be that my hub and bearings aren’t tight, because I torqued everything to specs. I even tried rotating and balancing all my tires, no luck. What now? Should I get an alignment? Any suggestions?

 

Probably brake rotors

 

I just changed my brakes prolly 3 months ago and never noticed anything. Do you think I have a warped rotor?

 

It's possible, but usually you'll only notice a warped brake rotor when you apply the brakes. I've seen it once before where the rotors were warped so bad that it had a shimmy even just driving, but it was noticeable from 20mph and up, not just at high speeds. Are you sure the suspension is tight?

Edit: You said you tried rotating and balancing the tires, did you/the shop happen to notice if there was any belt separations in any of the tires? I've also seen in the past where a tire would look fine on a balancer and spinning by hand, but once you got up to speed one of the belts would slip and the tire would go out of round. Unlikely but still a possibility.

 

The tires are only a few months old, and I am the one who balanced the tires, so I looked them over pretty well. (I work at a tire shop) This morning, while driving at about 75, rather than a shake I heard a rattle, much like I stated before, it sounds like hubcaps vibrating. I noticed the steering wheel isn't 100% centered, but I cant hear the rattle until I'm doing about 70. I can feel a slight shake, but the rattle is getting worse. It doesn't feel as tight as it used to be for some reason. I hate to have a shop look at it and charge me outrageous prices to look.

 

Start with rechecking everything you had loose to replace the hub. Also if you have access to a roadforce balancer try that

 

Ok thank. COULD my alignment be off, or would that not cause any noise or vibration?

 

While it could be off, it shouldn't cause noise/vibration. Mostly you'll iust notice the wheel is off to drive straight, or it'll pull hard if it's out far enough.

 

Ok, thanks for all the help guys. SO, from here I'm going to take the car and get it checked out. I feel unsafe when I feel the car shaking and making noises.

 

make sure the tie rod ends dont have play

 

Ok guys update... so today I had my car in the driveway, and I just moved my steering wheel an inch back and forth, and I could hear the noise it makes when I’m driving. It’s just a little clicking sound, anyone have an idea if that’s my steering column? Any suggestions?

 

You could very well need an alignment.
My old Hyundai Accent had the same symptoms at speed and an alignment cleared it right up.

The noise your hearing in the steering could be an intermediate shaft, I have to do that on my cobalt as well.

 

Steering Column. If you need one I have a brand new one for sale.

 

Ok, thanks a lot man. I'll let you know!

 

Also check your tie rods and steering rack that nothing needs tighten