Wobbly WRX

[7thCircleAcolyte]

Anyone have time to give me some advice about steering wheel vibration in my Impreza WRX please?

Up to about 60ish the car is nice and smooth. After 60mph up to at least 80mph the steering wheel vibrates so much it looks as though it moves about an inch. I say can, because it depends on what road I'm on - sometimes its fairly vibration free, other times incredibly bad.

I blew a tyre out in a pothole about 6 months ago, and I'm pretty sure the vibration predates that, though it may not have been this bad. Its difficult to remember clearly.

I've had the wheels balanced, twice, and there's now 0 grams difference. I've had the wheels aligned by a reputable garage. The tyres are new Eagle F1s.

It's driving me up the wall and really spoiling my enjoyment of the car. Does anyone have any suggestions what else may be causing it?

[Ved]

Are all tyres new? I had a vibration on my STI and cured it with four RE070s. Two fronts were down to the limit so all four had to go.

[Ennoch]

Are the wheels straight?

I had a bad vibration coming through which turned out to be a tiny hot spot/run out on the rotor which then made itself known through the steering wheel yet not through the brakes when you actually used them. What caused the bad vibration though was the rear front wishbone mount (ie the bit you replace as an anti-lift kit) and the damper being well past its best, albeit not blown. Get a prybar out and get working to see if any of the bushes are knackered. As soon as I fitted the ALK the problem 80% disappeared, the other 20% when I changed the dampers for STI spec items. I'd almost put money on a combination of factors such as the above; a tiny wobble caused by something like a disc, exacerbated through either a blown damper or knackered bushes.

[7thCircleAcolyte]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, all 4 tyres are brand new.

I had the rotors and pads changed last summer (and don't tend to brake too heavy), but I'll give these a check over and report back in a couple of weeks (the car is away on holiday).

[Ved]

Swap the wheels front to back and see if it's the same. At least that'll discount the wheels. All the CV boots and links ok?

[7thCircleAcolyte]

Ved said:

Swap the wheels front to back and see if it's the same. At least that'll discount the wheels. All the CV boots and links ok?

Yep, CV boots all look good, and the drop links were replaced at Scooby clinic last year.

[corvus]

As Ved says, you might have buckled a wheel.

Also check front wishbone bushes and balljoints.

Does the tyre balancer have a good reputation? Some of them are useless.

Edited by corvus on Saturday 9th August 14:39