Steering wheel shakes at 70mph...

[bklyndenali]

got a 02 denali xl..steering wheel shakes only at 70mph...is that alignment, tirebalance problem??..riding on stock 17s right now

 

[07Burb]

Could be tires but most likely ball joints. Could be lower, upper or both. I've experienced the same thing in the past and ball joints fixed it.

 

[blueflamed03]

check balance on wheels.

 

[Modded]

Balance issue.

 

[killer20072001]

Mine does it too. Both my 24" and 16" are balanced. Getting some DJM front sway bar endlinks helped me alot. My ball joints are pretty nasty so im pretty sure that is where the rest is comming from.

 

[sumo]

Balance

 

[07Burb]

Did you get this fixed? Curious as to the fix...

If it was a balance issue wouldn't the issue occur well before the 70 mph speed? I'm still convinced it's a ball joint issue.....

 

[CWgauge]

My steering wheel was shaking like crazy everytime I would get up to 40-50 mph. Got the tires roadforce balanced and smooth sailing ever since!!

 

[07Burb]

hopefully the OP will post the fix looks like it could be a few possibilities....

 

[OklabyGodhoma]

Difference between tire balance and ball joints is noise. Tires out of balance will cause things in the passenger department to vibrate and make noise. Ball joints will have a clunk sound coming from low down and will be muffled but will be more pronounced when hitting pot holes or driving over a concrete road with separations. Yes both can cause vibration but more than likely the vibration that appears at 70 is going to be a balance issue.

 

[07Burb]

The noise thing is true! Good point, Okie

 

[Livebai8]

How can you tell other than the clunk noise if it is your ball joints? I'm hearing some noise coming from the front area when I take off, but also hear noise going over bumps and stuff from the rear. I am going to replace my shocks in a couple of weeks. The noise I hear from the rear is more of a squeak sound (bushings I guess), and also a clunk. My left rear shock has a nice coat of slick on the lower portion, so I'm guessing that is adding to the clunk sound in the rear. What do you think?

 

[thumper10s]

I have the exact same problem right now. 2004 Yukon Denali XL. Vibration from 68-72 roughly.No clunks or other noises. Going in for a tire re-balance tomorrow. Will update with the results.

 

[07Burb]

Check your ball joints too thumper...

 

[thumper10s]

What all should i look for? Play? Cracked/Dry rubber? Ill try to look tomorrow if i get time.

 

[07Burb]

When they've gone bad on me in the past it's been dry/cracked rubber. When they've been bad they've caused the same issues you've described. Not saying it is for sure but something to help troubleshoot the issue

 

[thumper10s]

Ill let you know tomorrow night how it goes. thanks

 

[07Burb]

 

[thumper10s]

Tire balancing done. still there. maybe a little better. Checked the bushings-look like new.

Its not a harsh vibration. Id describe it like having off road tires. Cant really feel it in the steering wheel though. Mostly in the seat and floor. From 68mph to 74 mph. No vibration right now if I hit 70 on the dot.

Hmmm....

 

[07Burb]

So you are not feeling it in the steering wheel? Is it possible that it's just the tire tread making excess road noise??