Puzzling steering vibration

[ruskie34e36]

Well, hoping someone here would have a better idea..
2001 3.0 Sport Susp. 5sp Manual 118K

About 18 months ago, I replaced the whole front suspension (struts, tie rods, links, tension arms, ball joints). Rears got new shocks (air/shock suspension).
No problems after that, taken long (8hr+) trips, one very shortly after the install. Alignment and balance go without saying.

Problemstarted about month or two ago)
At speeds anywhere from 30-40 to 60ish/coming off the freeway, especially if in a very minor turn (as in the offramp almost parallels the freeway at first), I get a very violent wheel shake. Not like wheel balance shake, but like the tires are trying to track the surface, and don't agree with each other. Sometimes the initial and very slight application of brakes in junction with a turn would initiate the same shake.
Ive crawled under there with a pry bar, everything seems tight. Tension strut bushings have a little play, don't remember if I saw any separation. I know those were bad before as the body lunged forward when making a sharp stop from slow speeds.

Ive read and heard multiple explanations of this, some are a little bizarre. I will check the driveshafts today, but thats the last thing I could think of. Most common factor seems to be a turn and/or some sort of a roughness in the road (grooves, etc...)

Thank you in advance to anyone with any help!!

[4.8isX5]

Check front lower control arms, i was just checking out some stuff with my front wheels off and noticed the rubber bushing is cracked in a spot and i can move them pretty well by hand. Im at 76400 miles.

At 118k it could be a combo of things if nothings been replaced yet, so id recommend doing the front lower control arm front lower rear arm (its perpendicular one to the brake disk), tierods, swaybar links and bushings. I noticed my sway bar bushings have wear as well. But i do a load of suspensions all the time from family to my own to friends and most of those things need replacement esp past 100k.

If your doing those in the front, the rear parts need replacement as well, even if they not causing issues they are definetly worn and car will feel refreshed and alot tighter after replacement of all these.

[dpgx5]

Ummm, the guy said he just changed them 18 months ago...

On a side note, the lower c-arm needs to be loaded on the weight of the X prior to tightening. Did you do that?

[4.8isX5]

@dpg lol, skimmed thru it on my phone at the gym, whoops.

[DutchK]

I had similar symptoms my indy diagnosed and fixed front left brake caliper which was sticking occasionally causing vibration and this cleared it up

[ruskie34e36]

Originally Posted by 4.8isX5

@dpg lol, skimmed thru it on my phone at the gym, whoops.

Ha! Not like I've never tried to multitask in such a manner..

[ruskie34e36]

Originally Posted by DutchK

I had similar symptoms my indy diagnosed and fixed front left brake caliper which was sticking occasionally causing vibration and this cleared it up

Thats a new possibility to add to the list, to be honest. Of all the different/weird theories Ive heard, thats a new one. I was wondering if some of the parts were less than superior (they are aftermarket, can't remember what brand). The only thing I've noticed is some play in the torsion arms bushings, not sure how much play is allowed, I know they are made to flex side to side too, so there should be some.
Brake theory would be something that would "hide" I suppose, no real symptoms except for maybe wear being different.

But my question there is why would it cause the shaking of the wheel? Brake grabs, abs kicks in, and since one side is grabbing more, hence the shaking??

[puddinboo]

on the brake side of things does it pull to the left or right?

[DutchK]

sorry not entirely sure I understand why it results in the vibration -- perhaps the sticking results in warping of the rotor and then its downhill from there-- I also had self diagnosed it similarly as you (front suspension generally - lower control arms, struts, tie rods, links, tension arms, ball joints, etc.) and was surprised when caliper replacement fixed it.

[ruskie34e36]

Originally Posted by puddinboo

on the brake side of things does it pull to the left or right?

No pull. Although seems like its been happening while on a slight curve (hence the slight braking), but otherwise doesn't seem to be pulling.
I'll take it out on a drive shortly and try to duplicate it, with special attention to directional travel of the vehicle.