Shaky steering over 50 mph

[Maz1.8T]

Hi guys, I'm having a shaky steering wheel over 50 mph. It goes from left to right rapidly and constantly on maybe 1/4" not more. I can dampen the shaking if I hold the steering tight. But when holding it normally I can clearly feel the vibration and it's pretty anoying.

I can also feel that constant vibration when braking. Could it be a warped rotor? Also, for your information the car has a fresh alignment, front tires are pretty much shot, sway bar ok, end links ok (although bushings look old) and no loose balljoints or tie rods (they would've been changed before alignment).

Any ideas??

Thanks!!!

[redfox]

i would go back and tell the people who aligned your wheels.....it sound like a bad alignment

[Maz1.8T]

i would go back and tell the people who aligned your wheels.....it sound like a bad alignment

In fact, I don't think it's the alignment... If I let the wheel go the car goes straight ahead. Very straight. The shaking was there before the alignment and it's still there. Seems worse while accelerating and when under load. It's the fact that I can feel it too while braking that makes me wonder what the hell could it be.

[charles]

Wheels out of balance, probably

[Maz1.8T]

Wheels out of balance, probably

Yeah, could be... I'll let you know after I put my winter tires later this week.

[D323]

mine was doing that while braking before I put new pads and had the rotors turned. went away after that.

If yours does it under accelleration as well, then probably not that

[Kelly]

charles is correct, one of your wheels probably threw a weight.

[Maz1.8T]

charles is correct, one of your wheels probably threw a weight.

Yeah that's probably the cause... it only does it when going 50+ and gets worse as I go faster.

[Maz1.8T]

check your tie rods and ball joints

Quote from my first post :

"Also, for your information the car has a fresh alignment, front tires are pretty much shot, sway bar ok, end links ok (although bushings look old) and no loose balljoints or tie rods (they would've been changed before alignment)."

[MazKid]

My Protege had horribly unbalanced wheels when I picked it up. Driving over 55 caused the whole car to vibrate to the point of where I felt like I was kinda hydroplaning the road even though water wasn't involved. My dad balanced the tires, 1 needed 4oz(!) and the rest needed a fair amount. Drives fine now, even though my dad hasn't aligned it yet it's still straight and holds the road great.

[bruce95fmla]

Jeez, how many Mazda's does your family own?

[Gro Harlem]

if it only shakes when you give it throttle, its the axle.

if it does it constantly, its probably a unbalanced wheel, or a worn wheel bearing

[Maz1.8T]

if it only shakes when you give it throttle, its the axle.

if it does it constantly, its probably a unbalanced wheel, or a worn wheel bearing

It does it all the time as long as I'm going over 50, but it seems to shake harder under load and accelaration. It peaks @ 70 mph ... slower or faster is less shaky.

Anyways, pretty sure it's an unbalaced wheel(s).

[MazKid]

Jeez, how many Mazda's does your family own?

Eight.

[Gro Harlem]

weird....when my car would shake.....it would peak at about 65mph and then lessen if i went like 80.

It was the passenger axle and went completley away after I replaced it. The mofo was just worn i guess.

But i guess it could be anything mentioned above.