So my civic drives like ***. On the highway and at lower speeds, there's vibrations everywhere, particularly on the steering wheel. The car's handling just feels loose and shaky.

Tires are just balanced, so that's out of the equation

There's no visible damage to any of the ball joints or anything OTHER than the passenger side inner tie rod boot being ripped (ever since I bought the car 2 years ago)

I did the whole diagnosis with the car jacked and seeing if there's any play from the wheels but there weren't any.

Is there any other way I can check? I want to fix this problem because it makes driving the car not enjoyable but dont know what to replace.

 

your steering rack is worn. SOMETHING is worn on it, maybe in the column u joints. but it needs attention, because even if there was play anywhere else in the suspension, you shouldnt feel horrible vibrations.

however, that is just a secondary issue.

you need to check the roundness of your wheels. maybe a blister, maybe out of balance. and dont be a dumbass and tell us your lugnuts are loose... double check that by taking the wheel off and redoing it.

 

Well the wheels are brand new and a week old,so...

Pretty sure the lug nuts arent an issue,are all torqued to spec

I was afraid someone would say steering rack. But there's no leak or anything. ALTHOUGH theres a loud snapping sound when i turn the steering wheel back and forth coming from somewhere in the passenger side of the bay

 

the problem existed before you got those brand new wheels?

and uh... snapping noise? come on dude. look into that.

 

Axles slightly bent ?

 

Yes,problem was there before the new wheels

Im trying to look into that lol,but i dont know what to look for!

 

Axles bent in what way? The car is pretty low so theyre at an angle

 

Was about 90% sure it was your rack ends, but then you mentioned your passenger side boot is torn. And if there is noise from that side, I give it a 99% chance it's your inner rack ends causing the problem.

When you jack up the front end, are you sure there isn't play in the front wheels? You should be able to shake them back and forth a bit if you rack ends are worn.

If it is them, don't despair. I replaced the inner/outer tie rods (or rack ends...) this weekend. The whole set (both sides, with LCA ball joints thrown in) new cost me $50 with free shipping off ebay. Took all of 45 minutes, and no special tools were required. Getting the dust boot off may be your biggest challenge. There is a particular lock washer thing on the inner rack end that gets a lot of mention on the how-to's, but it's hardly worth it. Just use a big pair of channel locks or large adjustable wrench and unscrew that inner rack end straight off. It's really easy...

Fresh rack ends go such a long way toward "tightening" up the front end with regards to steering and feel... Your front end will feel practically new.