Steering Wobble at speed higher than 120km/h (74.5 miles/h)

[sintox]

Hi my Toyotanation friends

My father's 1MZ-FE 1994 200.000 km (124.000 miles) has a steering wobble (in a way, too responsive and soft) ONLY at speeds higher than 120km/h (74.5 miles/h). It doesn't feel safe at all driving above that speed.

But at 110Km/h (68 MPH), it feels almost as normal. The car has no other braking, steering or suspension problem otherwise.

What is your opinion about what would be the most likely cause, so I can start shopping around for parts:

1) worn out ball joints (I think I can do this when the weather allows).
2) worn control arm bushing
3) worn steering rack bushing (I wonder if I can do-it-yourself this yet. I have much more confidence after I installed the front struts 4 times now).
4) loose steering rack (what bolts can I tighten or I have to let the garage do the repair + parts ? )
5) worn discs (can this be possible even if the brakes are not pressed).

Have you had similar problem and what can be done at home or at the garage ?

[fenixus]

most likely it's a bad wheel alignment. on every car it tends to cause steering wheel shaking above 70-80mph.

[Tom 2000]

Your front tires are likely out of balance.

Rotate the front tires to the rears to see if it makes a difference first.

[sintox]

Thank Tom_2000 and Fenixus.

I changed the term Wobble to "feels too responsive and soft". Even I don't feel safe driving at that speed when it feels like that.

Also, for future reference, it doesn't feel like a "too much play" thing.

I'll try to swap the tire for my father when I go to Montreal next time. He has some developing arthritis.

[ekopel]

dude hands down:
1) alignment
2) inbalanced wheels

i have had those symptoms too, and those are hands down the 2 best ways to fix it.

[msrdude]

Yes, everyone is right. Bad wheel alignment or unbalanced tires. I had both problems that caused my car to have a wobbling steering wheel. Before you re-balance the tires, check the threads of the tires. If the threads are almost gone, might as well replace the tires. Does your car drive straight or shift left or right instantly after letting go of the steering wheel? I was thinking of warped rotors but that is when you brake.

[sintox]

Thanks JJJJJJ, ekopel, msrdude.

As I read the answer, I think I can define more accurately what the steering actually feels.

You know when you drive fast (74 MPH, 120km/h), you might "bump" the steering a tiny bit (INADVERTENTLY) but the car will not steer much ? And you know there's more "resistance" to turn the steering wheel when you drive fast ? (Any experienced drivers know what I'm talking about).

Well, my father's car steering no longer behaves like that. It likes you drive fast at 74 MPH and if you "bump" or nudge the steering either left or right, then his car changes the direction immediately.

His car drives straight and returns to central position normally. (Notice that I have my own Camry94 but I4, and I drive 75-80MHP so I know the correct feeling of the steering at high speed).

I'm planning to change his front struts next Summer (it's cold now in Montreal to do anything now). So maybe the alignment will wait. Meanwhile, I'll swap the tires several ways, when I have a chance, and see if things improve.

[skewe]

+1 alignment / wheel balance