Re: '99 Camry

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:1cf6b$45ddc313$44a4a10d$8518@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "mark_digital©" <976-XXX@comcastnot.com> wrote in message
> news:o6mdnRJHaLS41EDYnZ2dnUVZ_silnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>> news:Yf7Dh.4108$_O1.2062@trndny04...[color=darkred]
>>> On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 17:56:43 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
>>>
>>>> My daughter called me, nervous as can be, and said she was in the
>>>> emergency lane because her steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably
>>>> from
>>>> 55 and up. I said to take it easy and I would look at it when she got
>>>> to
>>>> my house. To make a long story short I took it out for a spin and sure
>>>> enough the faster I went above 55 the more it shook. At some point I
>>>> expected it to smooth out but nope.
>>>> I laid on the ground and looked up underneath and didn't see anything
>>>> unusual. I couldn't jack up the car because it's just not safe right
>>>> now
>>>> to do so.
>>>>
>>>> Her friend showed up in her Saturn and she had the same problem a day
>>>> or
>>>> two ago. Exact same problem. Saturn told her it's not uncommon for this
>>>> problem when many days in a row are below freezing. Well, I looked
>>>> again
>>>> and still didn't see anything unusual.
>>>
>>>
>>> I agree with Ray, probably a tire problem. But, it could also be shocks.
>>> Also, you said it didn't seem to be coming -through- the wheel, so I'd
>>> open up the trunk and take a look at the shock mounts (in the front,
>>> also...)
>>>
>>> A lot of things can make this happen...try City Tire on Wilb.
>>> Road...they
>>> always trated me very well there.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> Everyone's comments are appreciated.
>> I received a call from my daughter and all is well. Yesterday's
>> temperature was apparently warm enough to thaw what ever it was causing
>> the problem. I just wish I knew where the bulk of the ice or snow was
>> hiding because I looked everywhere and didn't see any.
>> I suggested to her if it happens again to use a electric pad set on *low*
>> to gently thaw out underneath. I stressed not to use anything flammable.[/color]
>
> If you park in deep snow or slush and turn the steering wheel, it is
> possible for the snow or slush to get pushed into the inside of the wheel
> or between the decorative spokes or wheel openings. When the temperature
> drops, it freezes, and when you consider that wheel balance weights are
> generally under an ounce or two, a 3 or 4 ounce hunk of ice will make a
> huge difference in wheel balance. The same thing can happen when driving
> through mud or clay. In order to see the buildup, you either have to
> remove the wheel or turn the wheel to the outside and crawl underneath or
> use an inspection mirror with a long handle.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>[/color]

Sounds to me I could have sent her to a car wash and taken care of the
problem for just a few dollars. I'll mention this next time I talk with her.
Thanks.

mark_