My steering wheel shakes alot now!!! why??? please help me.

[redsolara]

I had installed some tokico struts in the front only and now my steering wheel shakes crazy and i can feel every single little bitty bump on the road, it is really bugging me despite the fact that this was supposed to be an upgrade:). Another concern may be that my tires are really old and have like no thread at all and i wonder if you guys/girls think that this can also be an issue to the rattling steering wheel and shakes in my car from the road. I dont know, before i installed the struts in the front it would shake as much, i really dont know if they are the struts or maybee the struts were not installed correct but also i wouldnt know if my struts were installed correctlly, i need some major advice, thanks for the tips everyone!!!!!

[happy_aggies]

Re-tighten all the bolts, esp. the large one in the middle.
I got the same problem last time.

[Solara808]

Could possible need alignment. When ever you change your struts or other supsension components, the alignment is thrown off and needs to be realigned. It is probably the reason for your problem. Im sure the tires are part of the problem too tho.

-Chris

[Gunman]

try de-caf

[esotericx]

Definitely get an alignemnt, the shop where you took it to should have asked if you wanted to get an alignment right after the installation.

Oh, and you probably will want to get tires too. Never under estimate the importance of tires, especially now that it's winter.

Another thing, I don't understand the half way thing with the struts. Why not the rear? And why not springs too? Your stock springs are gonna get worn out quick.

[redsolara]

I did get an alignment, i only got an alignment at the front two tires because i only installed the front two struts, so maybee i could be that one bolt in the middle or some loose bolt, you think? I do need to get some tires fast too. I guess im just going to call the shop that did it to see if they can help me out.

[redsolara]

i do have after market springs by B&G and the back struts i will intall later because of low $$$ but i got after market spring all around lowered

[redsolara]

ok fellas, i found out my problem i bought new tires today and WOW this made a huge difference now the car is Smmooootthhh.

[soniasolara]

What kind of tires did you buy?

I know this probably has been discussed in this forum in the past, but the stock Bridgestone Potenzas have been panned by most drivers. I'm unsure what the '02-'03 Solaras ride on.

A friend of mine up in Massachusetts with a rather rare 6-cylinder stick '00 Camry put Dunlops on his wheels and likes them a lot.

[Yohon]

Your right, Bridgestone Potenza's are old technology

buy, Bridgestone Turanza LS-H these have fantastic ride.

[Yanks0114]

it actually may not have been the new rubber that you are riding on, but it could have been that your tires had become out of balance. This commonly happens when the car sits for a while, but can be as a result of many other factors. Either way its great to hear that you resolved your problem

[cdssolara]

it actually may not have been the new rubber that you are riding on, but it could have been that your tires had become out of balance. This commonly happens when the car sits for a while, but can be as a result of many other factors. Either way its great to hear that you resolved your problem

Yes, my guess would also be that the wheels/tires needed to be balanced. I can't imagine that normal tire wear alone would cause that much shaking. If it did, there would be a visible problem with the tire.

[redsolara]

Yes, it was the balancing that was needed on my tires, that was why my car was shaking like an earthquake. I bought some weak tires "hercules" because of low income this month, i needed some bad! my old ones were bald from each sides because i never got an alignment after i dropped my solara, now that i got an alignment, new tires, tockico struts and balanced my tires, i feel like im floating on the road its really nice!!!!

[Yanks0114]

glad to hear everything got resolved

[Whatever]

yeah good to hear that