Vibration or shake at highway speed?

[evan]

At highway speeds I now have a shake. I was going to call it a vibration but not like an electric razor, it’s slower than that and makes no sound. It makes the passenger seat shake when nobody’s in it and the steering wheel shake a bit. It’s not really bad, just annoying. The roads where I live are really crappy so I think it’s probably from a pothole I wasn’t able to avoid. It started about a week ago. Two days ago I rotated the tires but there was no change so I don’t think it’s a tire that’s out of balance.

Is there an easy diagnosis or are there too many possible problems? I’m going to take it in to the dealer but I wanted to try to get an idea of what it will take to fix it before they tell me it was $280 to change the headlight fluid. :rolleyes:

[Callisto]

Rotating the tires won't help if that impact knocked the wheels out of alignment. If it isn't a balance issue, I would first think that it is alignment, or it could even be a problem with a bearing. Just how hard did you whack that pothole and how long has it been since you did?

[PetersRedYaris]

Could be a bent wheel (look at the inside adge of the rims too), or a thrown wheel balance weight. I don't think it could be your alignment. Also, if no wheels are bent than there was no impact hard enough to hurt a wheel bearing.

Look your wheels over closely and get them balanced. Or just get them balanced and if any damage exists to a wheel the tire shop should see it.

[blktiger60]

A damaged tire can also cause vibration/shake - check your tires closely while checking out your wheels.

[jkuchta]

Also check to see if you have any mud or other crap stuck to the inside of the rear face of the wheel. That can cause an imbalance.

[YAR1S]

I did this once in my old grand marquis. I kept hitting curbs (crap big car driver) and it totally threw off my alignment, I couldnt even get it fixed because the only way to fix it was by an electonic alignment (it was that bad).

now... my yaris does shake my passenger seat at high speeds, i just think its normal, but feeling it in your steering wheel may mean the alignment is off. I wouldnt know, I havnt driven the yaris when its brand new so I wouldnt know what "normal" vibration is.

[pixiedixie862]

you most likely need an alignment

[Stargate YARlantIS]

bent wheel, or tie rod, or alignment...

Bump

[TinyGiant]

i feel a pulse at about 60mph very light but a little pulse...

[YarisSedan]

Well your wheels are supose to be balanced every year. So i would just get them balanced. I bet you they are off. If a wheel is bent it will show up on the balance.

[evan]

Thanks for all the replies! I've been subscribed to the thread but I didn't get any emails. :iono: I'll have to check the options in my CP to see if I've unselected something that should be selected.

I did a really thorough job washing the underside of the car and in behind the wheels and that seems to have taken care of it. I'm going to be getting some winter tires installed soon so I'll have them take a peak to make sure everything's copasetic.