Car feels unstable at speed

I second the balancing. Had my alignment done thinking that was the problem, would happen at around 55-60. Everything checked out a-ok. First thing the mechanic said was get tires balanced. Sure enough, fixed the problem!

An out of balance tire will not cause the symptoms as you described....unless you have thrown a weight and they are REALLY out...and even then it will cause a heavy vibrating(and usually only at certain speeds). If it's JUST a vibration then I would say check for missing weights....BUT if it's as you say and it's hard to keep in a straight line and under control, then you should read my original reply and better think twice before driving it any more before diagnosing the problem.

Now that you mention it, it really was only on one road. Driving back, I took a different route, and didn't notice really any symptoms, despite traveling roughly the same speeds. The vibrations I feel are very slight -- something similar to maybe using a power drill. I do remember it also being quite windy the day I noticed the wobbliness, so that could have caused the "car having a mind of its own" symptom. Nonetheless, I do feel that it would behoove me to get the tires balanced and check the toe and camber. I will eventually replace the suspension because the front driver side shock/spring (I'm still very new to knowing what is causing what on cars) groans when I load and unload it -- I hear a groan when I exit the car.

On a side note, does anyone know of or can recommend any reputable shops that can handle such repairs in the northern virginia area? I'm a little paranoid about taking to just any ol' service station. :umm:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by orbitron3000

Now that you mention it, it really was only on one road. Driving back, I took a different route, and didn't notice really any symptoms, despite traveling roughly the same speeds. The vibrations I feel are very slight -- something similar to maybe using a power drill. I do remember it also being quite windy the day I noticed the wobbliness, so that could have caused the "car having a mind of its own" symptom. Nonetheless, I do feel that it would behoove me to get the tires balanced and check the toe and camber. I will eventually replace the suspension because the front driver side shock/spring (I'm still very new to knowing what is causing what on cars) groans when I load and unload it -- I hear a groan when I exit the car.

On a side note, does anyone know of or can recommend any reputable shops that can handle such repairs in the northern virginia area? I'm a little paranoid about taking to just any ol' service station. :umm:

---

I recall hearing once before that Firestone shops have the data for toe and camber in their systems. I could be wrong though... The little grey cells are not what they used to... where was I?

Cheers.
Steve

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mluder

I recall hearing once before that Firestone shops have the data for toe and camber in their systems. I could be wrong though... The little grey cells are not what they used to... where was I?

Cheers.
Steve

---

Haha they do say the mind is the first to go :-P

Anyway, the toe and camber should be somewhere in the shop manual, shouldn't it?