Hello,

I am a new member and hopefully can recieve some help with a problem that I am having.

I own an automatic '89 4dr gold Civic LX

Basically when driving at speeds in between 0-65 mph the steering wheel likes to shimmy back and forth very fast. It is not a small amount of travel it is a good inch or so to each side. Even when gripping the wheel tightly the steering still vibrates from side to side. At higher speeds the steering wheel vibrates faster, at a less extreme distance.

Now I know my shocks are in bad condition, I do not feel like putting the money into this car for new ones just yet. The alignment is correct, toe in has been adjusted to the correct position. Newer tires also so that is not the problem. I know it is not a power steering problem as the belt had popped off recently and the steering wheel still vibrates from side to side even with now power steering. Also tire pressure is correct.

This problem is becoming an annoyance as it is uncomfortable to drive around with the steering wheel vibrating like crazy. I am assuming it is some steering component, I am just wondering what components I should be looking at. I hope to fix this problem over my Thanksgiving break so that I can drive back to school more comfortably.

Any input would be great, I tried searching this problem but did not find too much information.

So what should I check out?

 

Sounds like the wheels are out of balance.

 

The tires are faily new and they where blanced when we had them put on, so I doubt that is the probllem. Thanks for the suggestion though, I suspect its something in the steering I just wasn't sure where to start or if it's something else.

 

i would also like to what causes thisbecause my 89 crx hf dose the same thang

 

did it show up with the new tires? my rabbit did this, because of bad ball joints (remember, inner and outer tie rod ends ARE balljoints). check your balljoints and bushings. how much do you trust your alignment shop?

 

thats what I was gonna suggest is possibly bad ball joints.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AutoXMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hello,

Basically when driving at speeds in between 0-65 mph the steering wheel likes to shimmy back and forth very fast.

Now I know my shocks are in bad condition, I do not feel like putting the money into this car for new ones just yet. </TD></TR></TABLE>

blown shocks will do that.

so will loose suspension. (balljoints, bushings, etc)

no one will know until you check it or have it checked.

theres nothing more than the obvious we can help you with on a forum.

 

I do trust the alignment shop, I think it was sears.. but yeah I suspect something to do with the balljoints an whatnot, I will be inspecting them hopefulyl over break.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AutoXMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The tires are faily new and they where blanced when we had them put on, so I doubt that is the probllem. Thanks for the suggestion though, I suspect its something in the steering I just wasn't sure where to start or if it's something else.</TD></TR></TABLE>

weights could have fallen off.... just a suggestion. I would double check it.....since it is such an obvious answer.

 

honestly, it doesnt sound like its a rotational problem ie unbalanced tire. since its happening form 0-65mph. anything felt low speed, and does not have a distinct range of speed where vibration occurs probably isnt unbalanced.

not that you shouldnt check. but check everything...