Steering wheel shakes at 90, ball joints or alignment?

[beulahtregerthen]

Past couple of weeks the steering wheel has started shaking noticeably once I get to around 90 on the highway, and it settles down if I slow to 70. There's also a slight pull to the right that I've been compensating for without really thinking about it, which my wife pointed out from the passenger seat. I got the wheels balanced and rotated last month so I don't think it's that, and the tyres are only a year old. My neighbour reckons it's worn ball joints or tie rod ends, but he also reckons a lot of things, so I want a proper opinion. I've been looking for the best steering specialist for Jeep vehicles since I don't want some shop throwing an alignment at it and calling it done when the actual worn parts are still there. How do you tell the difference between a balancing issue and worn front end components, and is it worth getting a second opinion before agreeing to any parts replacement?

[gilbertocohen]

Shake that shows up at 90 and fades at 70 is very often a wheel balance or a bent rim, even right after a balance. Road force balancing finds problems a standard machine misses. A pull to the right usually points to alignment or uneven tyre wear, so have the tread checked across the whole width.

[heribertocole]

Had the same shimmy on my Cherokee and two shops balanced it with no change. Turned out to be a worn lower ball joint, and the shake only showed above 85. The mechanic put it on the lift, pried on the wheel, and the play was obvious. Get someone to show you that before parts get ordered.

[inocenciocoleman]

Your neighbour might be right for once, but I wouldn't take his word or any shop's without proof. Worn ball joints and tie rods feel loose and clunk over bumps, they don't usually cause a clean speed-specific shake. Ask for the alignment printout and a play check on the lift, then decide.

[jacintocollier]

Wheel balanced last month doesn't rule it out, since a lost weight or a stone in the rim can undo it fast. Easiest test is swapping front and rear wheels and seeing if the shake moves. Brake rotor warp usually shows up only when braking, so that's not your issue.

[modestocolon]

Is the vibration felt mostly in the steering wheel or in the seat as well? And does the pull to the right stay the same under braking and acceleration? Also, which Jeep is it, and are the tyres the stock size? That would help people narrow down whether it's front end wear or just tyres.